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Summary

Training Aid 35 is recorded on plans of the Second World War US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows, and a small square structure is visible on aerial photographs between 1945 and 1959. This is one of two similar structures in Shingle Slack likely to be mock pillboxes. Coastal erosion has affected this area and the only remains of the pillbox may now be on the foreshore.

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

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

Full description

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

Training aid 35 is recorded on U.S. Army plans.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5014-5015 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, 1959, RAF/80/788, NMR RAF/80/788 0036-0037 13-MAR-1959 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349053.

The structure is visible as an unroofed shell.

Ordnance Survey, 1989, OS/89115, NMR OS/89115 240-241 04-MAY-1989 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349086.

The site of the structure has drastically altered its landform due to coastal erosion, although the ruinous remains of a structure may be visible.

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

A small structure circa 4 metres square is visible on aerial photographs taken between 1945 and 1959. This is one of two similar structures in Shingle Slack and is probably Training Aid 35 as depicted on U.S. Army plans of the Second World War military training area. It is likely to be a mock pillbox, and appears to have lost its roof by the late 1950s. A possible ruin is just discernable at the approximate site of the structure on aerial photographs taken in 1989, although land slippage has changed the topography as the dunes closest to the shore have been subject to significant erosion by sea action. It is possible that the remains of the structure survive as one of the reported concrete bases recently observed on the foreshore.

Sources / Further Reading

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.
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
SDV349053	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1959. RAF/80/788. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/80/788 0036-0037 13-MAR-1959.
SDV349060	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/102. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5014-5015 17-JAN-1945. [Mapped feature: #62172 ]
SDV349086	Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1989. OS/89115. Ordnance Survey Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR OS/89115 240-241 04-MAY-1989.
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

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

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

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