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Summary

Two short rows of small structures are visible on aerial photographs between 1946 and 2007. They are intrepreted as anti-tank obstacles related to the Second World War military training site for Operation Overlord. Some are partly submerged in the sand, and many others were observed on a site visit in 2013.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS43SE/256/1

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PIMPLE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))
• TRAINING STRUCTURE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1420, NMR RAF/106G/91420 3234-3235 15-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349553.

Two short parallel rows of possible structures are visible.

Brown, I., Burridge, D. Clarke, D., Guy, J., Hellis, J., Lowry, B., Ruckley, N. & Thomas, R., 1996, 20th Century Defences in Britain: An Introductory Guide., 85 (Monograph). SDV349907.

A War Office specification for 'pimples' or 'dragon's teeth' gives a dimension of 1.2 metres square for soft ground.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4530 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

Two rows of structures are visible on the surface of the sand.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S., 2011 - 2012, North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV349018.

Two short rows of small structures less than 2 metres in width and aligned parallel to the shoreline are visible on aerial photographs between 1946 and 2007 at circa SS4507330852 and SS4503330818. Their shape and size is consistent with anti-tank obstacles known as dragon’s teeth and they are likely to be related to the Second World War military training site for Operation Overlord. Some are visible as roughly round shaped features and may have been partly submerged in the sand. These two groups and many others were visible on the ground in 2013, some almost totally buried and others nearly sitting proud of the sand, including the bases. It is unclear whether they are becoming exposed or becoming covered over.

Hegarty, C. & Knight, S., 2012-2013, North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project site visit, 19-FEB-2013 (Site Visit). SDV349357.

Numerous rows and individual concrete blocks are visible in the sand. Some are mostly buried whilst the bases of others are visible.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV349018	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S.. 2011 - 2012. North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. ACD383/2/1. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4530 04-MAY-2007. [Mapped features: #62027 ; #62028 ; #62029 ; #62030 ]
SDV349357	Site Visit: Hegarty, C. & Knight, S.. 2012-2013. North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project site visit. ND AONB NMP. Digital. 19-FEB-2013.
	Linked images:24
SDV349553	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1420. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/91420 3234-3235 15-APR-1946.
SDV349907	Monograph: Brown, I., Burridge, D. Clarke, D., Guy, J., Hellis, J., Lowry, B., Ruckley, N. & Thomas, R.. 1996. 20th Century Defences in Britain: An Introductory Guide.. 20th Century Defences in Britain: An Introductory Guide.. Paperback Volume. 85.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project

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