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Summary

Two white rectangular features of probable Second World War date and U.S. Army military training function are visible as low structures on aerial photographs of the 1940s, on Braunton Burrows.

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

• MILITARY TRAINING SITE (World War II - 1943 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3005-3006 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

Two low white rectangular features are visible.

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

Two white rectangular features are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s centred on circa SS45853665, on Braunton Burrows. The features measure circa 11 by 5 metres and 7 by 4 metres in size. They have been interpreted as the remains of structure foundations or areas of hard standing of Second World War date and are probably part of the U.S. Army Assault Training Centre on the Burrows. The function of the possible structures is unknown. They do not correspond with any training area features depicted on the U.S. Army map of the Assault Training Centre. However, they resemble features visible to the north interpreted as ‘ships sides’ training aids, large scaffold towers draped with cargo nets where troops simulated descending into landing craft from ships. The structures are not visible on later aerial photographs available to the survey and it is probable they have been removed or obscured by shifting dunes.

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
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3005-3006 13-MAY-1946. [Mapped feature: #62160 ]

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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