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Summary

Four slit trenches of Second World War date are visible as earthworks on the eastern edge of Braunton Burrows on aerial photographs of the 1940s to the 1950s. The earthworks were probably part of the U.S. Army Assault Training Centre which extended over much of the Burrows. The slit trenches are now within the area of Saunton Golf course, but remain visible as low earthworks on digital interactive images derived from aerial photographs taken in May 2001.

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

• SLIT TRENCH (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.

Four earthwork slit trenches are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1954, RAF/540/1266 (F22), NMR RAF/540/1266 (F22) 0100-0101 08-MAR-1954 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349931.

Four earthwork slit trenches remain visible.

Royal Air Force, 1958, RAF/80/744, NMR RAF/80/744 0080-0081 13-SEP-1958 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349746.

Although somewhat eroded or partly infilled in appearance, four earthwork slit trenches remain visible.

Next Perspectives, 2001, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4636 22-MAY-2001 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349376.

The slit trenches remain visible as low earthworks.

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

Four slit trenches of Second World War date are visible as earthworks on the eastern edge of Braunton Burrows on aerial photographs from 1946 onwards. The four zig-zag or curvilinear shaped earthworks are centred approximately on SS46323764, SS46293674, SS46273673 and SS46303666. The earthworks were probably dug as a training exercise, part of the U.S. Army Assault Training Centre which extended over much of the Burrows. The slit trenches are now within the area of Saunton Golf course and appear to flank a fairway, but remain visible as low earthworks on digital interactive images derived from aerial photographs taken in May 2001.

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
SDV349376	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2001. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4636 22-MAY-2001.
SDV349746	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1958. RAF/80/744. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/80/744 0080-0081 13-SEP-1958.
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 features: #62166 ; #62167 ]
SDV349931	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1954. RAF/540/1266 (F22). Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/1266 (F22) 0100-0101 08-MAR-1954.

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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