See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Concrete remains of a former structure such as a pillbox observed on a site visit, and two walls of a square structure visible on aerial photographs between 1946 and 1953. Linear earthworks to the east may have formed around barbed wire entanglements. Likely to be Training Aid 45 as marked on Second World War U.S. Army plans.

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

• BARBED WIRE ENTANGLEMENT (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))
• PILLBOX (ASSAULT TRAINING) (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

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

A structure and two linear ridges or structures are visible. Map object based on this source.

Royal Air Force, 1953, RAF/58/1136 (F21), NMR RAF/540/1141 F21 0066-0067 06-JUN-1953 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349929.

The linear features and structure are indistinct but visible.

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

Training Aid 45 at SS4472135814 comprised concrete remnants and scree. Other details: 34-51.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4435 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

Two linear earthworks are visible.

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

Visited 2009. Site (concrete remnants and scree) originally recorded on HER as part of Monument 74060. At 4470935844 stone 'scree', footings and patchy remains of concrete visible on north side of dune, positioned to face north. Debris indicates former solid structure such as a pillbox.
Poor condition. Scree being eroded. Concrete partly buried. Other details: Site 53.

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.

The north and south faces of a small structure, approximately 4.5 metres square, are visible on aerial photographs between 1946 and 1953. Two parallel linear features 25 and 45 metres to the east may be barbed wire entanglements, measuring circa 2 metres in width and up to 115 metres long. These are on the landward side and it is likely that this complex is Training Aid 45 as depicted on Second World War U.S. Army plans. The linear structures are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 2007, suggesting the establishment of sand dunes and vegetation around buried structures. The structure may have been demolished in the years after the war, although eroding footings of scree and concrete debris were observed in this location during a site visit in 2009.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback.
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
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4435 04-MAY-2007.
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.
SDV349929	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1953. RAF/58/1136 (F21). Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/1141 F21 0066-0067 06-JUN-1953.

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

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.