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Summary

A rectangular feature 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)
• NISSEN HUT? (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.

A low white rectangular feature is visible.

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

A white rectangular feature is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s centred on circa SS45973674, on Braunton Burrows. The feature measures circa 11 by 4 metres in size. It have been interpreted as the remains of a structure foundation or area of hard standing of Second World War date, probably part of the U.S. Army Assault Training Centre on the Burrows. The function of the possible structure is unknown. The possible structure does not correspond with any training area features depicted on the U.S. Army map of the Assault Training Centre. However, it resembles features visible to the north interpreted as the location of ‘ships sides’ training aids, areas where large scaffold towers draped with cargo nets were used by troops to simulate descending from ships into landing craft. Alternatively its dimensions are compatible with it being the site of a former Nissen Hut structure. It is not visible on the later aerial photographs available to the survey and it has probably 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: #62161 ]

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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