See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

A coastal artillery searchlight, or observation post, of Second World War date is visible as a range of structures on aerial photographs from 1941 onwards at Coombe Point.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• COAST ARTILLERY SEARCHLIGHT (XX - 1901 AD to 2000 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1941, RAF/1416/S314H53, NMR SX 8848/1-2 RAF 31214/PO-89-90 10-JUL-1941 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351452.

The artillery searchlight is visible as a range of structures.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/967, RAF/106G/UK/967 P 3088-89 01-NOV-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351060.

The artillery searchlight is visible as a range of structures.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF 230/CAL/UK/5, NMR SX 8848/4 RAF 30092/SO-0048 15-AUG-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351455.

The artillery searchlight is visible as a range of structures and demolished structures.

Royal Air Force, 1958, RAF/58/2549, NMR SX 8848/6 RAF 30137/PSFO-P1-0355 27-AUG-1958 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351446.

The main compound of the artillery searchlight is visible as a range of structures.

Ordnance Survey, 1962, SX84NE (Cartographic). SDV338030.

Small square building shown on 1962 map.

English Heritage, 1983, OS/83047, OS/83047 V 09-10 15-APR-1983 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351610.

A single structure remains visible.

Next Perspectives, 2003, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs, Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX8848 31-MAR-2003 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351614.

All structures of the former site have been removed.

Batty, M., 2003, South Devon Coast Path Project: a study of the archaeology along the coast path in the South Hams from Staddon Heights to Sharkham Point (Un-published). SDV336214.

'C G Lookout' shown on Ordnance Survey 1995 map above Combe Point. A platform remains circa 12 metres east to west by 5 metres north to south with traces of broken brick and concrete and a 0.5 metre high post. The 1967 Ordnance Survey map shows an enclosure at this point and the concrete fence posts remain.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2013-2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV351146.

A coastal artillery searchlight, or observation post, of Second World War date is visible as a range of structures on aerial photographs from 1941 onwards at Coombe Point. The structures are first visible on aerial photographs of 1941 and comprise a fenced compound containing two adjacent buildings, one of which may represent an engine room, and a single radio mast. To the east and south of this compound and positioned on the cliff edge are two additional structures representing possible searchlight blocks. Aerial photographs of 1945 show the eastern most structure as a demolished structure and by 1947 the structure to the south is also visible as a demolished structure. By 1958, only the main fenced compound, mast and two structures are visible, although by 1983 only a single building is visible as a structure. All traces of the site on aerial photographs have been removed by 2003. The structures associated with the possible coastal artillery searchlight may have also later served as a coastguard lookout during the post-war period.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336214	Un-published: Batty, M.. 2003. South Devon Coast Path Project: a study of the archaeology along the coast path in the South Hams from Staddon Heights to Sharkham Point. Mixed Archive Material.
SDV338030	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1962. SX84NE. Ordnance Survey 6 inch map. Map (Paper).
SDV351060	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/967. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/967 P 3088-89 01-NOV-1945. [Mapped feature: #102094 ]
SDV351146	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2013-2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV351446	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1958. RAF/58/2549. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR SX 8848/6 RAF 30137/PSFO-P1-0355 27-AUG-1958.
SDV351452	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1941. RAF/1416/S314H53. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR SX 8848/1-2 RAF 31214/PO-89-90 10-JUL-1941.
SDV351455	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1947. RAF 230/CAL/UK/5. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR SX 8848/4 RAF 30092/SO-0048 15-AUG-1947.
SDV351610	Aerial Photograph: English Heritage. 1983. OS/83047. English Heritage. Photograph (Paper). OS/83047 V 09-10 15-APR-1983.
SDV351614	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2003. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SX8848 31-MAR-2003.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6127 - Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme (NMP) for South-West England - South Coast Devon (Ref: ACD618)

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.