The Warcop Training Area (WTA) is a UK Ministry of Defence military training area near the village of Warcop in Cumbria. Part of the Defence Training Estate, the area consists of approximately 24,000 acres (9,700 ha) of MoD freehold land.[1][2]
History
Swindale, a steep-sided valley behind Roman Fell. The old track is a bridleway, but is usually closed due to activities on the Warcop ranges.
The training estate was established in 1942 originally as a tank gunnery range and tanks still use it to this day.[3]
On 19 October 1944 a Short Stirling bomber (LK 488), crashed on Mickle Fell whilst on a training flight from its base at RAF Wratting Common in Cambridgeshire; of the seven crew, only one survived.[4]
On 22 April 1999 a soldier died when a grenade exploded in his pocket.[5]
On 4 June 2014, one soldier died and two others were injured in a training accident when a military vehicle rolled over.[6]
Coverage of the training area
Within the training area are Little Fell (745m) and Mickle Fell (790m[7]), Burton Fell, Warcop Fell, Cronkley Fell and part of Murton Fell.[8]
British Army
