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Summary

Double row of concrete anti-tank obstacles that are interpreted as a probable training sites for the U.S. military during the Second World War. They are visible on aerial photographs between 1945 and 1946, but had probably been relocated by 1952.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks and structural remains of World War II military training features for D-Day Landings on Braunton Burrows

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS43SE/263
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Unknown, 1944, Roads and Training Aids: U.S. Assault Training Center (Un-published). SDV339604.

These defences do not appear on original plans of U.S. facilities made in 1944, therefore they are likely to be 1940 British.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/891, NMR RAF/106G/891 4082 08-OCT-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349055.

Six double rows of small structures are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, 3005 (Aerial Photograph). SDV337198.

Probable double row of concrete anti-tank obstacles recorded on the Royal Air Force 1946 aerial photograph. They run from SS45603430 to SS45703470. Other details: HER: 3/28.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1655, NMR RAF/106G/1655 3233-3234 11-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349996.

The rows of obstacles are visible as structures.

Royal Air Force, 1952, RAF/540/949, NMR RAF/540/1949 5038-5039 24-NOV-1952 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349761.

The structures are not visible.

Horner, B., 1997, Untitled Source (Personal Comment). SDV339661.

May be 1940 British defences, or part of the U.S. training facility, or both.

Next Perspectives, 2001, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4634 22-MAY-2001 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349376.

Parallel lines are visible, possibly low earthworks caused by scrub ripping or scarification of land.

Miller, D., 2006, World War Two Features Annotated onto Braunton Burrows Habitat Map (Cartographic). SDV339606.

A 'line of obstacles' are annotated onto the Braunton Burrows Habitat Map.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 827 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

Passmore, A. + Knight, S., 2009, Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Updated Spreadsheet of Archaeological Sites (Un-published). SDV344664.

Visited 2009. Not visible on the ground. Features have been removed.

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

Six double rows of probable anti-invasion blocks are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946, to the north of High Ridge. They are aligned roughly north to south covering approximately 420 metres, with gaps of up to 70 meters between the six sections, which are slightly offset from a true line. The individual structures are less than two metres in diameter and approximately 6 metres apart, arranged in two staggared rows; they are likely to be anti-tank cubes, perhaps dragon’s teeth. It is likely that they are part of the Second World War United States Army training site, as the offsets and gaps between the six sections are not what would be expected from a defensive barrier. The structures are not visible on aerial photographs dating to 1952, although the nearby earthwork craters are visible, and they were presumably relocated in the immediate post-war years.

University of Southampton, 2018, North Devon Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment, 10 (Interpretation). SDV361978.

Double row of concrete anti-tank obstacles that are interpreted as a probable training sites for the U.S. military during the Second World War. They are visible on aerial photographs between 1945 and 1946, but had probably been relocated by 1952.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV337198	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 3005.
SDV339604	Un-published: Unknown. 1944. Roads and Training Aids: U.S. Assault Training Center. U.S. Plans from R.T.Bass. Mixed Archive Material + Digital.
SDV339606	Cartographic: Miller, D.. 2006. World War Two Features Annotated onto Braunton Burrows Habitat Map. Nature Conservancy Council. Photocopy.
SDV339661	Personal Comment: Horner, B.. 1997. Not Applicable.
SDV339712	Report - Assessment: Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J.. 2007. The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report. Exeter Archaeology Report. 06.22 (rev.1). A4 Stapled + Digital. No. 827.
SDV344664	Un-published: Passmore, A. + Knight, S.. 2009. Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Updated Spreadsheet of Archaeological Sites. Exeter Archaeology Report. Digital.
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
SDV349055	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/891. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/891 4082 08-OCT-1945. [Mapped features: #95740 ; #95741 ; #95742 ; #95743 ; #95744 ]
SDV349376	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2001. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4634 22-MAY-2001.
SDV349761	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1952. RAF/540/949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/1949 5038-5039 24-NOV-1952.
SDV349996	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1655. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/1655 3233-3234 11-JUL-1946.
SDV361978	Interpretation: University of Southampton. 2018. North Devon Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment. RCZAS. Digital. 10.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4737 - Stewardship Scheme Archaeological Survey, Braunton Burrows
• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project

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