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Summary

A probable Second World War Nissen hut platform within the Emergency Coastal Battery at Brixham is visible as an earthwork terrace on aerial photographs taken in 1948. In 2012 the area was partially obscured by tree growth but some remains of the earthwork appear to survive.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1020411: World War II Emergency Coastal Battery and remains of a Victorian practice battery, at Battery Gardens

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HUT PLATFORM (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))
• MILITARY SITE (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1942, RAF/AC41, RAF/AC41 20 30-APR-1942 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352349.

No features are visible in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2488, RAF/CPE/UK/2488 5227-5228 11-MAR-1948 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352767.

An earthwork platform is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1958, RAF/58/2549, NMR SX9256/26 RAF 30137/PSFO-P2-0069 27-AUG-1958 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351446.

The area is obscured by tree and scrub growth.

Channel Coast Observatory, 2001-2012, Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography, Channel Coastal Observatory SX9256_20120918ortho.ecw 18-SEP-2012 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351226.

The area is partially obscured by tree growth, but the eastern part of the terrace appears to be visible as an earthwork..

Newman, P. & Salvatore, J., 2003, An Emergency Coast Artillery Battery at Battery Gardens, Brixham, Torbay., 224 (Article in Serial). SDV354429.

'Veterans recollect a Nissen hut sited in the upper part of the gardens. The only convincing evidence for this is a flat-topped, slightly lowered earthwork terrace to the west of the main garden entrance'.

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

A roughly rectangular flat platform, circa 11 by 5.5 metres in plan, is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs taken in 1948. It is likely to be a levelled platform for a Second World War military structure associated with Brixham Emergency Coastal Battery. Its size is consistent with an interpretation as a base for a Nissen hut, which corresponds to the oral history testimony recorded by Newman and Salvatore (2003) as relating to an earthwork terrace surveyed in this location. A possible access point in the northern corner of this feature is suggested by a short curvilinear sunken path approximately 3 metres in length. Part of the platform is visible on aerial photographs taken in 2012, although the western part is obscured by trees.

Sources / Further Reading

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
SDV351226	Aerial Photograph: Channel Coast Observatory. 2001-2012. Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography. Channel Coast Observatory. Digital. Channel Coastal Observatory SX9256_20120918ortho.ecw 18-SEP-2012.
SDV351446	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1958. RAF/58/2549. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR SX9256/26 RAF 30137/PSFO-P2-0069 27-AUG-1958.
SDV352349	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1942. RAF/AC41. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/AC41 20 30-APR-1942.
SDV352767	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1948. RAF/CPE/UK/2488. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/2488 5227-5228 11-MAR-1948. [Mapped feature: #64834 ]
SDV354429	Article in Serial: Newman, P. & Salvatore, J.. 2003. An Emergency Coast Artillery Battery at Battery Gardens, Brixham, Torbay.. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 61. Paperback Volume. 224.

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)

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