See important
guidance on the use of this record.
If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.
| HER Number: | MDV119183 |
|---|
| Name: | Gun pit on Mardon Down |
|---|
Summary
World War II gun pit on the north-eastern arc of the stone circle, consisting of a circular, flat bottomed pit of 4 metres diameter and 1 metre deep with an embanked circumference.
Location
| Grid Reference: | SX 767 872 |
|---|
| Map Sheet: | SX78NE |
|---|
| Admin Area | Dartmoor National Park |
|---|
| Civil Parish | Moretonhampstead |
|---|
| District | Teignbridge |
|---|
| Ecclesiastical Parish | MORETONHAMPSTEAD |
|---|
Protected Status: none recorded
Other References/Statuses: none recorded
Monument Type(s) and Dates
- GUN EMPLACEMENT (Constructed, World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))
Full description
Newman , P., 2017, A Stone Circle and Cairn Group on Mardon Down, Moretonhampstead, Devon, 5-7, figure 2 (Report - Survey). SDV360188.
During World War II, training activity on Mardon Down included the installation of a number of sunken, circular earthworks, which may have housed heavy machine guns or other anti-aircraft weaponry. One of these has been imposed into the north-eastern arc of the stone circle. The earthwork comprises a circular, flat bottomed pit of 4 metres diameter and 1 metre deep with an embanked circumference on all but the western, upslope arc. It is not known if any stones were removed when this pit was dug but it is unlikely. However, a substantial slab is visible, lying horizontal and buried in the eastern cut section of the pit; it is possible this was once a component of the circle.
Passmore, M. + Passmore, J. + Passmore, A., 2019, Mardon Down, Dartmoor, United States Army Training Area, pg 4 fig (Leaflet). SDV363123.
Gun pits on Mardon Down. These are likely to have been emplacements for mortars – lightweight, portable muzzle-loading weapons (see image on page 4). The slit trenches and mortar positions might have been for training purposes, but may also have had a defensive role.
Sources / Further Reading
| SDV360188 | Report - Survey: Newman , P.. 2017. A Stone Circle and Cairn Group on Mardon Down, Moretonhampstead, Devon. Southwest Landscape Investigations. A4 Comb Bound + Digital. 5-7, figure 2. [Mapped feature: #78471 ] |
| |
| | |
| SDV363123 | Leaflet: Passmore, M. + Passmore, J. + Passmore, A.. 2019. Mardon Down, Dartmoor, United States Army Training Area. Number 50. Digital. pg 4 fig. |
| |
| | |
Associated Monuments
| MDV119196 | Related to: Gun pit 40 metres north-east of seasonal pond on Mardon Down (Monument) |
| MDV119195 | Related to: Gun pit 60 metres north-east of Giant's Grave, Mardon Down (Monument) |
| MDV8289 | Related to: Mardon Down Stone Circle, Moretonhampstead (Monument) |
Associated Finds: none recorded
Associated Events
- EDV7270 - Survey of cairn cemetery, stone circle and other earthworks on Mardon Down
| Date Last Edited: | Aug 6 2019 8:00AM |
|---|
Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.