Dalditch Camp was a large training centre that existed for a short time on Woodbury Common from the Autumn of 1941 to it’s closure in November 1946. The wartime camp trained Royal Marine recruits, then changed to the commando role in 1943 with over 6,000 inhabitants at the camps zenith.
It had the facilities to practice specialised weapons and combat training such as Close Quarters Battle, flamethrowers, demolitions, weapons handling and marksmanship, to name but a few – indispensable for an elite regiment as the Royal Marine commandos.
Here, is a selection of photographs of the recruit training at the camp during the war.
Taking into account of the weaponry used dates these photographs reasonably well. For instance; the soldiers firing the Sten guns are using the Mk3 Sten, which entered into service in late 1943. Also, the flame thrower used was first issued from 1943.
An RAF photograph taken of Dalditch camp – 13th April 1946.
Dalditch Camp, History, And Finds on Woodbury Common, Devon. 