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Summary

Remains of a large pillbox-type building of reinforced concrete with a mixture of corrugated iron sheet and wooden shuttering. It is visible on aerial photographs between 1945 and 2007 and is likely to be a dummy pillbox used by the United States Army for Second World War training exercises.

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

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5019-5020 17-JAN-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349060.

A square structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1952, RAF/540/949, NMR RAF/540/949 5025-5026 24-NOV-1952 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349761.

An unroofed structure is visible.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4435 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

The north, south and part of the east walls are visible as structures.

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

Training Aid 49 at NGR 244616 135092. This is a large pillbox-type site constructed of reinforced concrete with a mixture of corrugated iron sheet and wooden shuttering. There is, however, no evidence of it having been rebuilt. An attempt has been made to demolish the structure and it is surrounded by concrete debris.
Average condition. Historically demolished, but currently stable. Some military vehicle driver training in the area but feature is easily visible.

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

Map object formerly 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 structure, approximately 4 metres square, is visible on aerial photographs from 1945, and is likely to have been a mock German pillbox used by the United States Army in Second World War military training. Two parallel linear earthworks, located circa 50 and 70 metres to the east, may be barbed wire entanglements around which sand and vegetation had built up. The complex is likely to be Training Aid 49, marked on U.S. Army plans, and may have been partially demolished after the end of the war, since it appears to have lost its roof by 1952. However part of at least three of the walls are visible as ruins in aerial photographs taken in 2007 and a site visit in 2009 recorded structural remains of reinforced concrete with concrete debris surrounding it. This site as one of the surviving structural remains of probable dummy pillboxes on Braunton Burrows could lend itself to interpretation activities and materials.

Sources / Further Reading

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 5019-5020 17-JAN-1945. [Mapped feature: #104546 ]
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4435 04-MAY-2007.
SDV349761	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1952. RAF/540/949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/949 5025-5026 24-NOV-1952.

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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