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Summary

Site of a World War II pillbox at the north end of Thurlestone Sands. The site of the pillbox might be visible on aerial photographs of 1942 onwards.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 1421045
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX64SE/93

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1942, RAF S762/H70, SX 6741/5 MSO 31279/PO-3092 12-FEB-1942 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351483.

A low mound to the south-west of hope cottage might mark the location of the pillbox.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/967, RAF/106G/UK/967 4124-4125 01-NOV-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351060.

A low mound to the south-west of hope cottage might mark the location of the pillbox.

Wills, H., 1985, Wills, H. 1985 Pillboxes, 74 (Monograph). SDV336210.

Wills lists polygonal a concrete west-facing pillbox at approximately this location.

Jury, R., 1996, Thurlestone Sands Pillbox (Worksheet). SDV177692.

A well dug-in pillbox at the north end of Thurlestone Sands. Concrete block construction.

Horner, W., 1998, DAP/ACB, 3 (Aerial Photograph). SDV141771.

Horner, W., 1998, Slides (Photograph). SDV177699.

Horner, W., 1998, Untitled Source (Personal Comment). SDV141983.

Single south-facing light machine gun/rifle loophole visible. Possibly square construction but largely turf-covered. Collapsed turf on east side indicates possible further loophole or entrance.

Griffith, F. M., 1998, Untitled Source (Personal Comment). SDV177693.

NGR for this one appears to be SX67604189. Another further along beach, and a gun emplacement above. (Site inspection and information Mrs Turner).

Blaylock, S. + Neophytou, M., 2004, South Milton Sands & Southdown Farm: Initial archaeological assessment, 8 (Report - Assessment). SDV323350.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs, Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX6741 22-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349355.

A low square of probable concrete is visible.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2013-2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV351146.

The possible site of a Second World War pillbox is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s. The possible pillbox is visible as a low, possibly earthwork or turf covered structure on aerial photographs of 1942 and 1945. On digital images derived from aerial photographs taken in 2007 a low square of concrete might indicate that the pillbox has been demolished or is being obscured by land slippage and vegetation.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV141771	Aerial Photograph: Horner, W.. 1998. DAP/ACB. Devon Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 3.
SDV141983	Personal Comment: Horner, W.. 1998.
SDV177692	Worksheet: Jury, R.. 1996. Thurlestone Sands Pillbox. Defence of Britain Project. Worksheet + Digital.
SDV177693	Personal Comment: Griffith, F. M.. 1998.
SDV177699	Photograph: Horner, W.. 1998. Slides.
SDV323350	Report - Assessment: Blaylock, S. + Neophytou, M.. 2004. South Milton Sands & Southdown Farm: Initial archaeological assessment. National Trust Archaeological Survey Report. A4 Stapled + Digital. 8.
SDV336210	Monograph: Wills, H.. 1985. Wills, H. 1985 Pillboxes. Pillboxes. Unknown. 74.
SDV349355	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX6741 22-MAY-2007. [Mapped feature: #94521 ]
SDV351060	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/967. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/967 4124-4125 01-NOV-1945.
SDV351146	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2013-2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV351483	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1942. RAF S762/H70. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). SX 6741/5 MSO 31279/PO-3092 12-FEB-1942.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV2710 - Unnamed Event
• EDV2711 - Unnamed Event
• EDV2712 - Slides
• EDV2713 - DAP/ACB
• EDV2714 - South Milton Sands & Southdown Farm: Initial archaeological assessment
• EDV6127 - Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme (NMP) for South-West England - South Coast Devon (Ref: ACD618)

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