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Summary

Metal and concrete anti-tank obstacles are visible as an irregular grid of structures on aerial photographs in the 1940s. They are interpreted as mock Normandy beach defences used by the U.S. Army during Second World War military training. Some seem to have been moved between 1945 and 1946, and as they are not visible on later available aerial photographs it is likely that they have been removed, although some remains may be covered by sand.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ANTI TANK OBSTACLE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1944, RAF/106G/LA/88, NMR RAF/106G/LA/88 FPO/0049 SS4531/21 31-DEC-1944 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349744.

The main grid of structures are of Czech hedgehog design.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF 106G/LA/267 FPO, NMR RAF/106G/LA/267 FPO/0029 SS4632/17 09-MAY-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349861.

A small four post platform is also visible.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/221, NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5031-5032 15-APR-1945NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5029-5030 15-APR-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349986.

A grid of structures is visible, with a loose grid to the west.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1655, NMR RAF/106G/1655 4197-4198 11-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349996.

A grid and a row of dark features is visible, further to the south of the original location.

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

Anti-tank obstacles are visible across a large area of the foreshore on aerial photographs between 1944 and 1946. The main concentration is a rough grid, circa 75 by 45 metres, of structures that can be identified as Czech Hedgehogs constructed of metal girders, with and area of scattered concrete 'coffins' to the west. Both types were used on the Normandy beaches and the structures at Braunton were used by the U.S. Army in the Second World War to practise beach landings for Operation Overlord. Associated features, such as a four post platform, are visible on some of the oblique aerial photographs taken in 1944, although their exact function is not known. The transcribed locations are a snapshot dating to January 1945, but the structures appear to have been rearranged between 1945 and 1946 resulting in a cluster at SS246584132041 and another at SS246674132070, indicating that their positions were not fixed. They are not visible on later available aerial photographs, and are likely to have been removed soon after the war, although some remains may be buried within the sand.

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
SDV349744	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1944. RAF/106G/LA/88. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/88 FPO/0049 SS4531/21 31-DEC-1944.
SDV349861	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF 106G/LA/267 FPO. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/267 FPO/0029 SS4632/17 09-MAY-1945.
SDV349986	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/221. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5031-5032 15-APR-1945NMR RAF/106G/LA/221 5029-5030 15-APR-1945. [Mapped feature: #62227 ]
SDV349996	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1655. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/1655 4197-4198 11-JUL-1946.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project

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