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Summary

Probable concrete anti-tank obstacles are visible as a row of structures on aerial photographs in the 1940s. They are interpreted as mock Normandy beach defences used by the U.S. Army during Second World War military training. They are not visible on later available aerial photographs and are likely to have been removed or covered by sand.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ANTI TANK OBSTACLE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1944, RAF/106G/LA/88, NMR RAF/106G/LA/88 FPO/0049 SS4531/21 31-DEC-1944 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349744.

A row of structures is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF 106G/LA/265 FSO, NMR RAF/106G/LA/265 FPO/0012 SS4631/31 04-MAY-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349916.

Some of the structures appear to be of Czech hedgehog design.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF 106G/LA/267 FPO, NMR RAF/106G/LA/267 FPO/0029 SS4632/17 09-MAY-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349861.

Some of the structures appear to be of dragon's teeth design.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/221, NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5031-5032 15-APR-1945NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5029-5030 15-APR-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349986.

A row of small structures is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1655, NMR RAF/106G/1655 4197-4198 11-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349996.

A row of dark features is visible.

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

A 55 metre long row of 14 small structures, each approximately 1 metre across, are visible on aerial photographs between 1944 and 1946. They are likely to be anti-tank obstacles that were used for military training by the U.S. Army in the Second World War, and some can be identified as 'Dragon's Teeth' concrete blocks, interspersed with the metal constructions known as Czech Hedgehogs, types known to have been used on the Normandy beaches. They are not visible on later aerial photographs, and are likely to have been removed or covered by sand.

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
SDV349744	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1944. RAF/106G/LA/88. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/88 FPO/0049 SS4531/21 31-DEC-1944.
SDV349861	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF 106G/LA/267 FPO. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/267 FPO/0029 SS4632/17 09-MAY-1945.
SDV349916	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF 106G/LA/265 FSO. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/265 FPO/0012 SS4631/31 04-MAY-1945.
SDV349986	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/221. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5031-5032 15-APR-1945NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5029-5030 15-APR-1945. [Mapped feature: #62226 ]
SDV349996	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1655. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/1655 4197-4198 11-JUL-1946.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

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

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