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Summary

Training Aid 27, recorded on plans of the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows, is visible as a structure on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. This is one of numerous similar structures in the proximity likely to be mock pillboxes. The structure is not visible on later available aerial photographs, so it is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period, and remains are likely to have been disturbed by mechanical earthworks for habitat restoration between 2001 and 2007.

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/264/9
• 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 aids 27-30 recorded on U.S. Army plans.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349060.

A small structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, 106G/UK/1655/4195 (Aerial Photograph). SDV339621.

A number of the pillboxes by the track are recorded on the Royal Air Force 1946 aerial photograph. Other details: HER: 3/36.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1655, NMR RAF/106G/1655 4195-4196 11-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349996.

The structure is 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, 27; 34-51 (Un-published). SDV325695.

29 and 30 lie close to the footpath connecting Churchill Track to D-Lane. 27 is by itself to the north on Churchill Plain, just southwest of Marigold Hollow. Metal flamethrower tanks were located at SS4561233372 while road wire and 2 inch mortars were located at SS4582033505.

Next Perspectives, 2001, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4533 22-MAY-2001 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349376.

The area is covered with scrub.

Bass, R. T., 2005, Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition, 34-51 (Monograph). SDV325697.

Concrete debris was found at Training Aid 29 at SS45773332 and a single reinforcing bar was found at Training Aid 29 at SS45783332. Training Aid 27 at SS456313349 was not located. Metal flamethrower tanks were located at SS4561233372 while road wire and 2 inch mortars were located at SS4582033505.

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

Four pillboxes are annotated onto the Braunton Burrows Habitat Map.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4530 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

Several large ponds are visible as earthworks, probably scrapes for habitat restoration.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 1689 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

Training aids 27-30 recorded on us army plans. 28, 29 & 30 lie close to footpath connecting churchill track to d-lane. 27 is by itself to north on churchill plain just south west of marigold hollow. No. of pillboxes visible by track on 1946 aps.

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

Visited 2009. Training aids 27, 29 and 30 were not located. The NGR for 30 is north of Churchill Track, whereas it is shown on US Army plans as being south of the track. At the latter there is no evidence of this feature.

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

A small structure circa 3.5 metres square is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. This is one of several similar features in the vicinity and is probably Training Aid 27 as depicted on U.S. Army plans of the Second World War military training area. It is likely to be a mock pillbox and mortars have been discovered in the vicinity, from training exercises in this area. The structure is not visible on later available aerial photographs, so it is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period. However Richard Bass has observed some concrete debris here, disturbed during mechanical large-scale scraping undertaken between 2001 and 2007, so disturbed remains are highly likely to survive.

Timms, S. C., 28/09/1981, The Blacksmiths Arms, Torrington Street, East-the-Water. (Worksheet). SDV35.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325695	Un-published: Bass, R. T.. 1996. Guide to the US Assault Training Centre North Devon. Manuscript. 27; 34-51.
SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 34-51.
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.
SDV339609	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 1992. Spirits of the Sand. Spirits of the Sand. Unknown. 95-96.
SDV339621	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. 106G/UK/1655/4195. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper).
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. 1689.
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
SDV349060	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/102. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). [Mapped feature: #95786 ]
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4530 04-MAY-2007.
SDV349376	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2001. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4533 22-MAY-2001.
SDV349996	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1655. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/1655 4195-4196 11-JUL-1946.
SDV35	Worksheet: Timms, S. C.. 28/09/1981. The Blacksmiths Arms, Torrington Street, East-the-Water.. Worksheet. A4 Single Sheet + Digital.

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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