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Summary

Eight linear structures of Second World War date are visible on Dawlish Warren on aerial photographs of the 1940s and 1950s. The structures were probably anti-aircraft obstructions designed to prevent enemy troop carrying aircraft from landing on the level area of dunes at the Warren. The obstructions were removed between 1950 and 1958.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• AIRCRAFT OBSTRUCTION (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1941, RAF/S481, RAF/S481 V 22-23, 25-26 13-SEP-1941 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352366.

Linear structures are visible alongside other Second World War anti-invasion defences across Dawlish Warren.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1412, RAF/106G/UK/1412 3019-3021 13-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352504.

The linear structures remain visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946 - 1949, Royal Air Force Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDV342938.

Lines of aircraft obstructions shown on 1946-1949 RAF aerial photograph.

Royal Air Force, 1958, RAF/58/2563, RAF/58/2563 F22 0003-0004 10-SEP-1958 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352662.

The linear structures have been largely removed.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2013-2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV351146.

Eight linear structures of Second World War date are visible on Dawlish Warren on aerial photographs of the 1940s and 1950s. The structures were probably anti-aircraft obstructions designed to prevent enemy troop carrying aircraft from landing on the level area of dunes at the Warren. This was achieved by arranging the linear structures, probably timber fences, in an offset or interlocking ‘zipper’ pattern which permitted access to the Warren but prevented a direct approach. The obstructions were removed between 1950 and 1958, by which time this area was occupied by rows of beach huts.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV342938	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946 - 1949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photographs. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Digital).
SDV351146	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2013-2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV352366	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1941. RAF/S481. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/S481 V 22-23, 25-26 13-SEP-1941.
SDV352504	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/1412 3019-3021 13-APR-1946. [Mapped feature: #100643 ]
SDV352662	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1958. RAF/58/2563. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/58/2563 F22 0003-0004 10-SEP-1958.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6127 - Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme (NMP) for South-West England - South Coast Devon (Ref: ACD618)

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