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Summary

A small structure with surrounding barbed wire enclosure is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. It is one of three similar structures in the proximity and is probably Training Aid 22 as depicted on U.S. Army plans of the Second World War military training area. The structure was not visible on later available aerial photographs, but some concrete remnants have been observed here in dense vegetation. The structure is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthworks and structural remains of World War II military training features for D-Day Landings on Braunton Burrows and nineteenth century reclaimed field system on Braunton Marsh NW of Horsey Island

Other References/Statuses

• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PILLBOX (ASSAULT TRAINING) (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 5016-5017 17-JAN-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349060.

A small structure with part of an enclosing fence or barrier is visible. Map object based on this source.

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

The structure is visible.

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

A photograph of a mock pillbox within a wire fence enclosure is published.

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

Visited 2009. Information provided by R. Bass. Large concrete remnants. A single piece of concrete was located. There is dense vegetation at this located, with scrape 4a to west.
Poor condition. Partially buried. Other details: Site 111.

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 3.5 metres square is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1945 and 1946. The structure seems to have been enclosed, at least on the west side, by a curvilinear fence or barbed wire obstruction approximately 45 metres from the structure. This is one of three similar structures in the near proximity and is probably Training Aid 22 as depicted on U.S. Army plans of the Second World War military training area. It is likely to be a mock pillbox and barbed wire curtain used to practise breaching barbed wire entanglements. The structure was not visible on later available aerial photographs and is likely to have been demolished or obscured by shifting dunes in the immediate post-war period.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325697	Monograph: Bass, R. T.. 2005. Spirits of the Sand: Field Edition. Spirits of the Sand. A5 Paperback. 34.
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 5016-5017 17-JAN-1945.
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 (Ref: ACD383/2/1)

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