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Summary

Training Aid 28 recorded on plans of the Second World War US Assault Training Centre on Braunton Burrows, and is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. This is one of three similar structures along the road that are likely to be mock German pillboxes. The structure is not visible on later available aerial photographs, so it is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period, but some concrete remains survive.

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.

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

A small structure is visible. Map object based on this source.

Royal Air Force, 1946, 106G/UK/1655/4195 (Aerial Photograph). SDV339621.

A number of the pillboxes by the track are recorded.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1655, NMR RAF/106G/1655 4195-4196 11-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349996.

A structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1953, RAF/58/1133 (F22), NMR RAF/58/1133 F21 0014-0015 28-MAY-1953 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349785.

The structure is not visible.

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

Bass, R. T., 1996, Guide to the US Assault Training Centre North Devon, 27 (Un-published). SDV325695.

28, 29 and 30 all lie close to the footpath connecting Churchill Track to D-Lane.

Bass, R. T., 2005, Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition, 34-51 (Monograph). SDV325697.

Concrete and a hedge and ditch were located at Training Aid 28 at SS45773332.

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

Four pillboxes annotated.

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

Visited 2009. Training aid 28 (formerly recorded as part of Monument 57339). At 4577533312 is an 8m diameter mound of sand and concrete rubble, some of the latter bearing impressions of rubble.

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

Map object based on this Source.

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 metres square is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. This is one of three similar structures along the road and is probably Training Aid 28 as depicted on U.S. Army plans of the Second World War military training area. It is likely to be a mock pillbox. The structure is not visible on available aerial photographs dating to 1953 or later, so it is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period; however some concrete debris were observed in a mound during a field survey in 2009 so some remains are highly likely to survive.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325695	Un-published: Bass, R. T.. 1996. Guide to the US Assault Training Centre North Devon. Manuscript. 27.
SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 34-51.
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.
SDV339609	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 1992. Spirits of the Sand. Spirits of the Sand. Unknown.
SDV339621	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. 106G/UK/1655/4195. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper).
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
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.
SDV349785	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1953. RAF/58/1133 (F22). Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/58/1133 F21 0014-0015 28-MAY-1953.
SDV349996	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1655. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/1655 4195-4196 11-JUL-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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