Drakes Bay Dive Bombing Range

 Second World War 1939-1945, military, bay, historical layer / disappeared object

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Though the exact location is unclear due to a lack of documentation, pilots in the area during WWII used Drakes Bay for bombing practice. It is also the possible location of the Drakes Bay Gunnery Range and Proposed Aerial Mine Laying Area.

www.corpsfuds.com/reports/INPR/J09CA7289inpr.pdf --

Drakes Bay Dive Bombing Range was located in the ocean near Drakes Bay. The exact location of the target is unclear. According to Mrs. Scotty Mendoza, a landowner at Point Reyes, aircraft from Hamilton AAF dropped bombs which did not explode at a target near Chimney Rock inside of Drakes Bay. The target was towed by boat to this location each time it was used. These aircraft approached the target from the northeast and passed directly over the "B" Ranch house as they dove toward the target. According to Mrs. Mendoza, the target practice in Drakes Bay began in December 1941 and did not end until shortly after the conclusion of the war. According to a memorandum from Headquarters, Continental Air Forces dated 6 March 1946, when Santa Rosa AAJ? was being excessed, the decision was made to retain the Drakes Bay Gunnery Range for use by pilots from Hamilton AAF and to attempt to re-establish the danger area with the Interdepartmental Air Traffic control Board. This gunnery range was an over-water range and did not restrict water navigation. The Drakes Bay Gunnery Range is believed to be the same area as the Drakes Bay Dive Bombing and Proposed Aerial Mine Laying Area.