See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

A small square, pillbox like structure visible on aerial photographs of 1946 is probably the site of Training Aid 3, as depicted on a U.S. Army plan of the Second World War Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks and structural remains of World War II military training features for D-Day Landings on Braunton Burrows and nineteenth century reclaimed field system on Braunton Marsh NW of Horsey Island

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS43NE/260/11
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PILLBOX (ASSAULT TRAINING) (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.

Training Aid 3 recorded on U.S. Army plans.

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

Bunker recorded on Royal Air Force 1946 aerial photograph. Other details: HER: 3/29.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3127-3128 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

A small square structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1952, RAF/540/949, NMR RAF540/949 5061-5062 24-NOV-1952 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349761.

The structure is not visible.

Bass, R. T., 1992, Spirits of the Sand, 95-96 (Monograph). SDV339609.

Bass, R. T., 1996, Guide to the US Assault Training Centre North Devon, 33 (Un-published). SDV325695.

Many of these pillbox clusters have been totally removed as they sat on what is now Saunton Golf Course. Number 3 lay on the high ground between Buckthorn Hills and the eastern edge of Knife Hills, quite close to the north-south track across the golf course.

Bass, R. T., 2005, Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition, 69 (Monograph). SDV325697.

Training Aid 3 in Area 'D' of the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows was not located during fieldwork in 2005.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 923 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

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

NGR places site on east edge of dunes above golf course, in area of dense Marram grass and scrub. There are no visible structural remains. To the west a large depression in the dunes could mark the site of the pillbox, or be a natural feature.

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

A small rectangular structure up to 4 metres square is visible on aerial photographs of May 1946. The structure is probably the site of Training Aid 3, as depicted on a U.S. Army plan of the Second World War Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. The structure is not readily identifiable on aerial photographs of 1952 onwards and has either been deliberately demolished or obscured by shifting sand dunes in the years following the war.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325695	Un-published: Bass, R. T.. 1996. Guide to the US Assault Training Centre North Devon. Manuscript. 33.
SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 69.
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.
SDV339609	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 1992. Spirits of the Sand. Spirits of the Sand. Unknown. 95-96.
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. 923.
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
SDV349761	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1952. RAF/540/949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF540/949 5061-5062 24-NOV-1952.
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3127-3128 13-MAY-1946.

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 (Ref: ACD383/2/1)

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.