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Summary

Several sections of former trackway of probable Second World War date and military function are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of 1945, crossing Braunton Burrows. They are probably sections of the U.S. Army’s Assault Training Centre infrastructure known as the American Road. Some elements appear to remain in use.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks and structural remains of World War II military training features for D-Day Landings on Braunton Burrows and nineteenth century reclaimed field system on Braunton Marsh NW of Horsey Island

Other References/Statuses

• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ROAD (World War II - 1943 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, RAF/106G/LA/102 5018-5019 17-JAN-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349060.

An earthwork trackway or road is visible.

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

A section of trackway is visible as an earthwork.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4434 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

The trackways partly coincide with extant routes..

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

Several sections of trackway of probable Second World War date and military function are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of 1945, crossing Braunton Burrows. It is likely that they are sections of former transport infrastructure within the U.S. Army’s Second World War Assault Training Centre on the Burrows known as the American Road.
The relict tracks cover a straight-line distance of 1.75 kilometres fro the coast to the extant tracks to the east of the Burrows, with circa 3.5 of individual tracks identified. It is not always apparent what the destination of some sections of the track or road was, but it is clear much was designed for access to specific elements of the Assault Training Centre.
However, they appear to correspond only in part with trackways visible on recent aerial photographs and were probably superseded following the war. Other sections of Second World War trackway have been recorded to the north and south, some of which have also remained partly in use.

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
SDV349054	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/957. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/957 4022 30-OCT-1945. [Mapped feature: #61975 ]
SDV349060	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/102. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/LA/102 5018-5019 17-JAN-1945.
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4434 04-MAY-2007.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project (Ref: ACD383/2/1)

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