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Summary

Six rectangular concrete platforms, visible on aerial photographs from the 1940s, are the remains of Second World War ‘Landing Craft Mechanised’ training structures within the Assault Training Centre, used by the U.S. Army to practise amphibious landings of vehicles for Operation Overlord. Although all but one had been obscured by scrub growth by 2010, the remains of the platforms are likely to survive as earthworks or more probably structures. Two of the structures are now designated heritage assets together with the six replica Landing Craft Tanks.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks and structural remains of World War II military training features for D-Day Landings on Braunton Burrows
• Listed Building (II) 1463671: Eight Second World War concrete replica landing craft structures

Other References/Statuses

• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MILITARY TRAINING SITE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))
• TRAINING STRUCTURE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5015-5016 17-JAN-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349060.

Six rectangular structures are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1959, RAF/80/788, NMR RAF/80/788 0037-0038 13-MAR-1959 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349053.

The area is becoming overgrown by vegetation.

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

A ruin is marked on the Braunton Burrows Habitat Map.

Bass, R. T., 1992, Spirits of the Sand, 25 (Monograph). SDV339609.

Other details: Photograph.

Next Perspectives, 2001, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4633 22-MAY-2001 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349376.

Two structures are visible.

Environment Agency, 2006-2007, LiDAR data JPEG image (1 metre resolution), LIDAR SS4633SW Environment Agency D0072720 03-NOV-2006 to 03-FEB-2007 (Cartographic). SDV349850.

Earthworks or structures are visible on the site of the six landing craft.

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

Located on site of mockups so probably of WWII date.
Visited 2009. Ruin at 4632233065 is a LCM (landing craft) mockup. The structure comprises a concrete base with metal poles on three sides for temporary hull superstructure. The ramp at the front , which is unusually steep (in comparison with historic pictures of LCMs on beaches) has boot prints embedded in the concrete. To the west, at 4627633075, is a second LCM largely obscured by vegetation.

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

Map object formerly based on this Source.

Next Perspectives, 2010, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4633 08-APR-2010 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349899.

Only one of the structures is visible.

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

Six low rectangular structures, approximately 10 by 4 metres, are visible on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s, two on the north of D Lane and four on the south side, perpendicular to the road. They are marked on the U.S. Army plans as landing craft mockup sites and the dimensions indicate that these six concrete platforms are the remains of ‘Landing Craft Mechanised’ training structures, used to practise amphibious landings of vehicles for Operation Overlord in the latter part of the Second World War. They start to become obscured by vegetation in the 1950s; two of the structures are visible in aerial photographs taken in 2001, and only one by 2010. This is likely to be due to the growth of scrub rather than removal of the structures, since the remains of a structure, obscured by vegetation, have been observed north of the track by Richard Bass in recent years. Lidar images from data captured in 2006-2007 also suggest that the remains of all six platforms survive within the scrub as earthworks or more probably structures.

Historic England, 2019, National Heritage List for England, 1463671 (National Heritage List for England). SDV362730.

Eight Second World War concrete replica landing craft structures
Summary
Eight concrete replica landing craft structures, built in 1943 for training in preparation for D-Day.
Reasons for Designation
The eight Second World War concrete replica landing craft at Braunton Burrows are listed Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Historic interest:
* as a key part in the Allied forces’ preparations for and a tangible reminder of Operation Overlord and its significance to national and world history;
Architectural interest:
* the concrete structures of three of the six replica Landing Craft Tank (6) and one of the two surviving Landing Craft Mechanised are largely intact, whilst the remains of the other examples contribute to the understanding of the site overall;
* it is believed that the concrete replica landing craft structures are exceptional survivors in the national context;
Group value:
* within the contextual history of the use of Braunton Burrows as an army assault training centre in the Second World War.
History
The United States of America entered the Second World War on 7 December 1941, following a surprise attack by Japanese aircraft on its Pacific Fleet Naval Base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, destroying ships and aeroplanes and killing almost 2,500 people. Initially unprepared for conflict in Europe, throughout 1942 America quickly mobilised its war industries and expanded its armed forces. Training for American troops began at home, but on arrival in Britain it was clear that they had not been fully-trained for assaulting the heavily-fortified and defensively-prepared French coastline.
From September 1943, the North Devon coast became an assault training centre for American troops as part of the preparations for an Allied attack on the Normandy beaches: this was codenamed Operation Overlord (more familiarly known as D-Day) and was the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. The British combined forces had previously been allocated the beaches from Morte Point in the north to Crow Point in the south, but considered them unsuitable for practice due to the stormy nature of the sea. In the event, their tides and currents closely matched those at the beaches which were to be used by the American forces during Operation Overlord. Responsibility for the construction of the training areas was initially given to the American army’s 398th Engineer Service Regiment, but was soon passed to their 146th Engineer Combat Battalion; the latter were one of the first Battalions ashore at the Omaha and Utah beaches on 6 June 1944 - D-Day. The training facilities were divided into ten key areas, designated ‘A’ to ‘M’.
The southern part of Braunton Burrows, near Crow Point and within ‘Area A’, was used for training personnel in the loading, embarkation and disembarkation of landing craft. Concrete replica landing craft structures were built to the north of Broad Sands Beach, initially based on a 1942 American modification of the British Landing Craft, Tank (LCT) (5), designed to represent the top-deck of the craft with its front ramp lowered. These were then altered to the dimensions of the LCT (6) with additional aprons added to the back of the structures, allowing training to include both types of landing craft. Six-foot high metal poles at the base edges supported canvas or corrugated-tin screens to represent the sides of the craft. Thirteen craft structures were built at Braunton Burrows; six LCT (6) and seven Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM).
On the 1 September 1943 the first American units began arriving to use the training facilities. This training continued until May 1944 in the run up to D-Day.
The training structures were abandoned and a large number demolished in the late-C20. Large parts of Braunton Burrows are leased to the Ministry of Defence and some military training continues today. A memorial service is held on 6 June each year at the replica craft structures to recognise and remember the important role that the members of the Allied forces played in the liberation of Europe.
Details
The remains of six concrete replica Landing Craft, Tank (LCT) (6) and two concrete replica Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM) structures, built for the American forces in 1943 to practice embarkation and disembarkation of vehicles and personnel in advance of the D-Day landings. To identify the craft they are designated ‘A’ to ‘H’ running east to west.
The replica landing craft structures are situated approximately 800m to the north-west of Broad Sands Beach. They are orientated roughly north-south, on the south side of a former military track (‘D’ Lane) which runs east to west. The structures were deliberately positioned offset against each other, so that they simulated the potential uneven approach to the beach.
The two easternmost structures replicate the decks of the LANDING CRAFT MECHANISED (LCM). The first - craft A - comprises a concrete base approximately 12m long by 4m wide. It consists of three sections: a rear flat panel 4m long; a slightly ramped panel 4m long; a further flat panel 1.8m long; and a downwards ramp at the front measuring 3.4m. 30cm from the edge around the rear three sections of the base is a 15cm raised lip 7cm high, with adjacent holes where temporary sides would have been attached. Craft B is overgrown and appears to have been partially demolished but is assumed to have been of the same dimensions.
The remaining concrete craft replicate the decks of six LANDING CRAFT, TANK (LCT) (6). Each concrete base measures approximately 36.3m long by 9.8m wide (119ft by 32ft) including a 3m extension to the rear. The front (north) of the replica craft has shuttered-concrete walls (or ‘jaws’) up to 2m high angled inwards around a downward-sloping textured-concrete ramp approximately 3m long. The bases have various steel rings and post holes set within them, used for lashing down vehicles and attaching temporary sides. The front walls to craft C (furthest to the east) have been partially demolished. The craft has inscribed in the concrete extension to the rear ‘Co C 1st Platoon 146th Engineers’. Craft D has a dug-out trench at the base of the ramp, occasionally filled with water; that to craft E is infilled. The jaws to craft G and H have been demolished.
Date first listed: 31st May 2019

Historic England, 2019, Second World War concrete replica landing craft and training area, located within Braunton Burrows, centred on NGR:SS4623433157. (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV363101.

Notification that, as part of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Historic England are assessing the structures in order to consider if they are of national importance.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV339609	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 1992. Spirits of the Sand. Spirits of the Sand. Unknown. 25.
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.
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
SDV349053	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1959. RAF/80/788. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/80/788 0037-0038 13-MAR-1959.
SDV349060	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/102. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5015-5016 17-JAN-1945. [Mapped feature: #101332 ]
SDV349376	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2001. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4633 22-MAY-2001.
SDV349850	Cartographic: Environment Agency. 2006-2007. LiDAR data JPEG image (1 metre resolution). Environment Agency LiDAR data. Digital. LIDAR SS4633SW Environment Agency D0072720 03-NOV-2006 to 03-FEB-2007.
SDV349899	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2010. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4633 08-APR-2010.
SDV362730	National Heritage List for England: Historic England. 2019. National Heritage List for England. Historic Houses Register. Digital. 1463671.
SDV363101	List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest: Historic England. 2019. Second World War concrete replica landing craft and training area, located within Braunton Burrows, centred on NGR:SS4623433157.. Notification of Completion of Assessment. 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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