Fritton Lake

Fritton Lake is a lake in the English county of Norfolk. It is a popular local tourist attraction located south-west of Great Yarmouth and north-west of Lowestoft on the Norfolk–Suffolk border.[1]

A secret training facility was located at Fritton Lake during the Second World War. British Valentine Tanks, as well as American made Sherman tanks were turned into amphibious vehicles by attaching a special collapsible screen made of waterproof canvas. The screen was supported by a series of rubber air filled tubes, connected to three tubular frames. The tanks were fitted with rear propellers, which provided propulsion when buoyant, and gave them their name "DUPLEX DRIVE" due to the two forms of mobility. Between April 1943 and May 1944 British, American, and Canadian units came to Fritton Lake to be trained in the use of these tanks.[2] On D-Day, 128 out of 240 Duplex Drive Shermans tanks were launched, with 78 of them making it to shore. Many of the losses can be attributed to the high seas. However a large percentage of the crew survived. The site remained in Military use into the early 1950s as part of the Specialised Armoured Development Establishment[3] during which further amphibious experiments and trials were undertaken.

Fritton Lake is a very popular tourist attraction, containing the Fritton Arms, Fritton Lake Outdoor Centre, Lakeside Riding Stables and Fritton Lake Woodland Lodges. There is a Pay and Display Car Park adjacent to the Fritton Arms, and visitors may enjoy use of the play ground and lakeside walks as part of their admission. Further activities are available through the Outdoor Centre, such as Boat and Canoe hire, rope walks, bike hire and golf.

The Fritton Lake Triathlon includes an open water swim in the lake.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Somerleyton | Fritton Lake Activities in Suffolk, UK
  2. ↑ http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/downloads/FrittonLake_DuplexDriveAmphibiousTanks.pdf
  3. ↑ Public Record Office, Kew WO 341/184
  4. ↑ Fritton Lake Triathlon,

External links

Coordinates: 52°32′35″N 1°39′32″E / 52.543°N 1.659°E / 52.543; 1.659


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