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Summary

A rectangular structure is visible on aerial photographs between 1946 and 1959, and interpreted as a possible Mock-up pillbox associated with Second World War U.S. Army training. It may have been destroyed by coastal erosion.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1941, RAF/1416/S171, NMR RAF/5171 26-27 01-JUN-1941 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349742.

No structure is visible in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 4137-4138 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

A square structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1631, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1631 5097-5098 08-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349549.

A small structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1959, RAF/80/788, NMR RAF/80/788 0018 13-MAR-1959 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349053.

The outline of the structure is visible within the sand dunes.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4339 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

The structure is not visible and the coastline appears to have receded.

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

A small structure, roughly 4.5 metres square, is visible on aerial photographs between 1946 and 1959, within the dunes on Croyde Burrows. It appears to have a flat roof and is possibly a mock-up pillbox used for military training by the U.S. Army in the Second World War. As it is not visible on aerial photographs in the earlier part of the war it is unlikely to have served a direct defensive function against seaborne or airborne attack and was probably constructed in 1943 or 1944. Other possible training structures are visible some 200 metres to the north. By the late 1950s it seems to have been partially engulfed by shifting sand dunes, although its outline is still visible. It is not visible on later available aerial photographs and coastal change and erosion may have lead to its gradual destruction since the 1950s, although it is possible that some remains survive within the 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
SDV349053	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1959. RAF/80/788. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/80/788 0018 13-MAR-1959.
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4339 04-MAY-2007.
SDV349549	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1631. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1631 5097-5098 08-JUL-1946. [Mapped feature: #62542 ]
SDV349742	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1941. RAF/1416/S171. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/5171 26-27 01-JUN-1941.
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 4137-4138 13-MAY-1946.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

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

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