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Summary

A small structure of probable Second World War date and military function is visible at The Hummocks on Braunton Burrows, on aerial photographs of 1945. The features is probably a training aid mock-up pillbox associated the Second World War U.S. Army Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. It is not visible on later aerial photographs but elements of the ruined structure are visible on the ground.

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

• 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.

Feature not shown on US army plans.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/133, NMR RAF/106G/LA/133 5023 15-FEB-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349062.

A small roofless structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1953, NMR RAF/540/1141 (F21), NMR RAF/540/1141 (F21) 069-070 6-JUN-1953 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349622.

The structure is partly visible.

Royal Air Force, 1957, RAF/58/2205 F22, NMR RAF/58/2205 (F22) 0063-0064 05-JUL-1957 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349748.

The structure is visible only as ruins.

Nature Conservancy Council, 1989, Braunton Burrows Habitat Map (Cartographic). SDV339613.

'Ruin' shown on map as a small rectangular structure to the southeast of The Hummocks at Braunton Burrows.

Bass, R. T., 2005, Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition, 38 (Monograph). SDV325697.

The demolished walls and base of a pillbox which may have been an early construction at the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows.

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

Site of a pillbox shown on map.

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

Visited 2009. At NGR 244664134193 are remains of a pillbox constructed of thin shuttered reinforced concrete. The structure has been partially demolished, but remains of the north, west and south sides survive. The east side was probably originally open or built into sand dune. Interior now filled with sand. The south side is splayed and contains a possible door opening/adjacent revetment wall. This feature had wooden shuttering rather than corrugated iron sheeting and may represent and addition or rebuild.
The surviving remains are in good condition. Some military vehicle driver training nearby.

Unknown, 2010, Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Shapefiles of Archaeological Sites (Un-published). SDV344665.

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

A small structure of probable Second World War date and military function is visible on Braunton Burrows on aerial photographs of 1945. The possible structure appears to be a roofless flattened ‘C’ shaped shell, the long side looking towards the coast, the unenclosed side facing east. It is immediately south of a probable temporary military trackway, visible running west from the shore towards the Engineer Demolition Range to the east. The structure is potentially associated with a possible earthwork bank and ditch circa 30 metres to the south-west. The structure and earthworks are probably part of the Second World War U.S. Army Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. The structure looks to be partly buried by sand dunes by June 1953 and is visible only as fragmentary ruins by July 1957.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 38.
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.
SDV339613	Cartographic: Nature Conservancy Council. 1989. Braunton Burrows Habitat Map. Photocopy + Digital.
SDV344664	Un-published: Passmore, A. + Knight, S.. 2009. Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Updated Spreadsheet of Archaeological Sites. Exeter Archaeology Report. Digital.
SDV344665	Un-published: Unknown. 2010. Farm Environment Plan (FEP), Shapefiles of Archaeological Sites. Exeter Archaeology Report. Digital. [Mapped feature: #101291 ]
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
SDV349062	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/133. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/133 5023 15-FEB-1945.
SDV349622	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1953. NMR RAF/540/1141 (F21). Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/1141 (F21) 069-070 6-JUN-1953.
SDV349748	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1957. RAF/58/2205 F22. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/58/2205 (F22) 0063-0064 05-JUL-1957.

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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