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Summary

Concrete base at Aspen Slack associated with the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. It is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 but may since have become completely buried. It is likely to have been associated with similar structures in Boardwalk Mounds, interpreted as hardstanding for vehicles or platforms for temporary structures in the Assembly Area.

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

• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5014-5015 17-JAN-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349060.

A pale irregularly shaped low structure is visible.

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

This area was within the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. This may be the location of Training Aid 34 at SS45933266 which was not located during fieldwork.

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

A concrete base is annotated by Miller onto the Braunton Burrows Habitat Map.

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

Visited 2009. Nothing found at 4604232646, which is in a slack.

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

The concrete base is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 as a low structure of irregular shape and maximum dimensions of circa 8.5 by 3.5 metres. It appears to have been partially covered by sand on the western side, and since it is not visible on any later available aerial photographs, it is likely to have subsequently become completely buried. It may be associated with similar structures in Boardwalk Mounds, interpreted as hardstanding for vehicles or platforms for temporary structures at the Assembly Area of the U.S. Army military training site in the Second World War. Remains are likely to survive below ground.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback.
SDV339606	Cartographic: Miller, D.. 2006. World War Two Features Annotated onto Braunton Burrows Habitat Map. Nature Conservancy Council. Photocopy.
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). NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5014-5015 17-JAN-1945. [Mapped feature: #101284 ]

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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