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Summary

A complex of structures and an earthwork pit, visible on aerial photographs taken between 1946 and 1969 are interpreted as Second World War defensive structures on the site of the earlier Frobisher Battery. They are not visible on later available aerial photographs although remains may survive below under vegetation cover.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002585: Staddon Heights Defences including Fort Staddon Fort, Brownhill Battery, Watch House Battery, Staddon Heights Battery, Staddon Battery and associated features and structures

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 FS 2127-2128 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Several structures and an earthwork pit are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2105, RAF/CPE/UK/2105 RP 3138-3139 28-MAY-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351151.

Several structures and an earthwork pit are visible.

Ordnance Survey, 1969, OS/69292, OS/69292 V 021 28-JUN-1969 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351291.

Several structures are visible.

Pye, A. + Woodward, F., 1996, The Historic Defences of Plymouth, Fig 105 (Monograph). SDV167752.

Brownhill and Frobisher batteries are mapped.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2020, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

A complex of structures and an earthwork pit are visible on aerial photographs taken between 1946 and 1969. They do not seem to match the layout of features at Frobisher Battery as mapped by Pye and Woodward (1996), although one partially sunken structure centred at SX4913750945 is similar in size and location. The others are very clearly defined and are interpreted as Second World War defensive structures on the site of the earlier battery (MDV17341). Two on top of the earthwork bank (MDV48753) are linked square structures, while set behind it are a rectangular structure 5 by 3 metres, a rectangular pit, possibly lined with concrete and what seems to be a turning circle with curving retaining wall against the bank. They are not visible on later available aerial photographs although remains may remain under vegetation cover.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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