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Summary

A small square structure visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s is probably the site of Training Aid 44, as depicted on a U.S. Army plan of the Second World War Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. It is not visible on later aerial photographs but corresponda with a ruined concrete structure recorded in the field.

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

• MILITARY TRAINING SITE (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.

Assault Training Aid Numbers 44 and 45 shown on US army plan to the east of the shore at 'Saunton Yellow' beach.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/957, NMR RAF/106G/UK/957 4022-4023 30-OCT-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349054.

A small structure circa 4.5 metres square in size is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3003-3004 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

A small structure circa 4.5 metres square in size is visible.

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

Bass, R. T., 2005, Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition, 67-88 (Monograph). SDV325697.

Remnants representing Training Aid Numbers 44 and 45 in Area 'D' at the World War II US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. Training Aid No 44 was located at SS4475435981 and consisted of concrete rubble. Training Aid No 45 at SS4472135814 comprised concrete remnants and scree.

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

'Rubble' is noted on the Nature Conservancy Council plan of Braunton Burrows at Training Aid 44 and 'Concrete' is noted at Ttaining Aid 45.

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

Visited 2009. At NGR 4474635976, Training Aid 44 is small concrete rubble and stone scree, located within base of small hollow.
Good condition. Mostly buried in dunes and covered in light vegetation.

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

A small structure circa 4.5 metres square in size is visible on aerial photographs of October 1945 and May 1946 centred on circa SS44753597. The structure is probably the site of Training Aid 44, one of several such training aids depicted in this area on a U.S. Army plan of the Second World War Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows. The structure is not readily identifiable on the aerial photographs taken in later years, available to the survey and was probably demolished or obscured by shifting sand dunes and vegetation following the war.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 67-88.
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.
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. [Mapped feature: #101353 ]
	Linked documents:1
SDV349054	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/957. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/957 4022-4023 30-OCT-1945.
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3003-3004 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

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