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Summary

Training Aid 34 recorded on plans of the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows, and visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. This is one of three similar structures in the proximity likely to be mock pillboxes. The structure is not visible on later available aerial photographs, so it is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period.

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

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS43SE/264/10
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

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

Training aids 32-34 recorded on U.S. Army plans.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5015-5016 17-JAN-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349060.

A small structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1655, NMR RAF/106G/1655 4195-4196 11-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349996.

The structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1952, RAF/540/949, NMR RAF/540/1949 5034-5035 24-NOV-1952 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349761.

The structure is not visible.

Bass, R. T., 1992, Spirits of the Sand, 95-96 (Monograph). SDV339609.

Bass, R. T., 1996, Guide to the US Assault Training Centre North Devon, 27 (Un-published). SDV325695.

32 nestles in Twayblade Slack at the base of Southern Bluff, with 33 (Monument 77558) to the southeast at the foot of Clematis Hill near the valley leading to Pontoon Plain. 34 is situated below Clematis Hills, at the junction of Twayblade Slack and Aspen Slack.

Bass, R. T., 2005, Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition, 37-38 (Monograph). SDV325697.

Concrete surface rubble was found at Training Aid 32 at SS45813304, large remnants and steel were found at Training Aid 33 (Monument 77558) at SS45973291 but Training Aid 34 at SS459232660 was not located. Concrete surface rubble was also recorded at SS45783303.

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

The pillboxes annotated by Miller are likely to be training aids 32-34.

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

Visited 2009. NGR 4581 3304 and 4578 3303 are close to each other at the base of a slack. Only a couple of small pieces of concrete found in this area. Nothing found at 45920 32660.
Tree clearance in progress.

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

A small structure circa 3.5 metres square is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. This is one of three similar structures in the proximity and is probably Training Aid 34 as depicted on U.S. Army plans of the Second World War military training area. It is likely to be a mock pillbox. The structure is not visible on later available aerial photographs, so it is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period. No debris has been observed in this area on ground survey undertaken in 2009.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325695	Un-published: Bass, R. T.. 1996. Guide to the US Assault Training Centre North Devon. Manuscript. 27.
SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 37-38.
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.
SDV339609	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 1992. Spirits of the Sand. Spirits of the Sand. Unknown. 95-96.
SDV344664	Un-published: Passmore, A. + Knight, S.. 2009. Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Updated Spreadsheet 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
SDV349060	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/102. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5015-5016 17-JAN-1945. [Mapped feature: #62132 ]
SDV349761	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1952. RAF/540/949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/1949 5034-5035 24-NOV-1952.
SDV349996	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1655. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/1655 4195-4196 11-JUL-1946.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

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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