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Summary

A small square structure visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s is probably the site of Training Aid 46, as depicted on a U.S. Army plan of the Second World War Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. It is not visible on later aerial photographs but corresponds with a ruined concrete structure recorded in the field.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks and structural remains of World War II military training features for D-Day Landings on Braunton Burrows

Other References/Statuses

• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MILITARY TRAINING SITE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))
• PILLBOX (ASSAULT TRAINING) (World War II - 1943 AD to 1944 AD)

Full description

Unknown, 1944, Roads and Training Aids: U.S. Assault Training Center (Un-published). SDV339604.

Assault Training Aid Numbers 46-48 shown on US army plan in a line to the east of the shore at 'Saunton Blue' beach.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/957, NMR RAF/106G/UK/957 4022-4023 30-OCT-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349054.

A small structure measuring circa 4 metres square in size is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3003-3004 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

A small structure measuring circa 4 metres square in size is visible. Map object based on this source.

Nature Conservancy Council, 1989, Braunton Burrows Habitat Map (Cartographic). SDV339613.

Bass, R. T., 2005, Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition, 52-66 (Monograph). SDV325697.

Three concrete faces representing Training Aid Numbers 46-48 at the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. Training Aid No 46 was located at SS4466035615, Training Aid No 47 at SS4469035454 and Training Aid No 48 at SS4466735311.

Miller, D., 2006, World War Two Features Annotated onto Braunton Burrows Habitat Map (Cartographic). SDV339606.

The three features are shown between Bee Slack and the beach on the Nature Conservancy Council plan of Braunton Burrows. The two northerly points are shown as 'Concrete Faces' and the southern feature is shown slightly to the southwest as a 'Lifeboat House'. A 'Ruin' is shown on the plan at SS44653531. Map object based on this Source.

Passmore, A. + Knight, S., 2009, Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Updated Spreadsheet of Archaeological Sites (Un-published). SDV344664.

Visited 2009. At NGR 244666135622 an area of stone scree on the south side of a dune marks the position of Training Aid 46. There is no concrete face. To the south is a bowl-shaped depression possibly representing the site of the removed building.
Poor condition - demolished

Unknown, 2010, Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Shapefiles of Archaeological Sites (Un-published). SDV344665.

Map object based on this Source.

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

A small structure measuring circa 4 metres square in size is visible on aerial photographs of October 1945 and May 1946 centred on circa SS44673563. The structure is probably the site of Training Aid 46, one of several such training aids depicted in this area on the somewhat schematic U.S. Army plan of the Second World War Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. The structure is not readily identifiable on the aerial photographs taken in later years that are available to the survey, and was probably demolished or obscured by shifting sand dunes and vegetation following the war.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 52-66.
SDV339604	Un-published: Unknown. 1944. Roads and Training Aids: U.S. Assault Training Center. U.S. Plans from R.T.Bass. Mixed Archive Material + Digital.
SDV339606	Cartographic: Miller, D.. 2006. World War Two Features Annotated onto Braunton Burrows Habitat Map. Nature Conservancy Council. Photocopy.
SDV339613	Cartographic: Nature Conservancy Council. 1989. Braunton Burrows Habitat Map. Photocopy + Digital.
SDV344664	Un-published: Passmore, A. + Knight, S.. 2009. Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Updated Spreadsheet of Archaeological Sites. Exeter Archaeology Report. Digital.
SDV344665	Un-published: Unknown. 2010. Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Shapefiles of Archaeological Sites. Exeter Archaeology Report. Digital.
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
SDV349054	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/957. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/957 4022-4023 30-OCT-1945.
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3003-3004 13-MAY-1946.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4737 - Stewardship Scheme Archaeological Survey, Braunton Burrows
• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project

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