Reculver, The Beach c.1955
Photo ref: R14006
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Photo ref: R14006
Photo of Reculver, The Beach c.1955

More about this scene

In March 1943, one mile to the east of Reculver Towers was cordoned off, and on 11 April Wing Commander Guy Gibson tested the Barnes Wallis 'bouncing bomb' in Reculver Bay. The Twin Towers were chosen as the release point for the bombs, as they resembled the towers at the Mohne and Eder dams in Germany. The dams were successfully attacked by Gibson and 617 Squadron on 16 May 1943, using the Barnes Wallis 'bouncing bomb' tested at Reculver. Wing Commander Gibson won the Victoria Cross following the raid.

A Selection of Memories from Reculver

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Reculver

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I remember camping with my family down in the field just inland from the Towers. The site is now just for caravans, I think. My father would catch eels in the small streams which ran across the field down to the sea, and mum would cut them up on a chopping board and the bits would be wriggling about all over the place - that was our breakfast…….! The Towers were open then and there is a photo of my eldest ...see more
I joined the 4th Bexleyheath Cubs in 1953 and remember a Summer Camp to Birchington in 1953 when the highlight was a coach outing to Reculver Towers. We travelled to Birchington in the back of an old removals lorry and the "Health and Safety" people would have kittens if they had seen all us eight year olds standing on our kitbags to lean over the lorry tailboard as we drove along!! I ...see more