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HER Number: | MDV24551 |
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Name: | Anti-Tank Ditch on south side of Axminster |
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Summary
Anti-tank ditch visible on Royal Air force 1948 aerial photograph comprising two wide banks with a ditch between. Part of the Axminster fortified area on the Second World War Taunton Stop Line constructed in 1940.
Location
Grid Reference: | SY 293 974 |
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Map Sheet: | SY29NE |
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Admin Area | Devon |
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Civil Parish | Axminster |
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District | East Devon |
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Ecclesiastical Parish | AXMINSTER |
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Protected Status
Other References/Statuses
- Old DCC SMR Ref: SY29NE/75
Monument Type(s) and Dates
- ANTI TANK DITCH (Constructed, World War II - 1940 AD to 1940 AD)
Full description
Royal Air Force, 1946 - 1949, Royal Air Force Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDV342938.
The ditch continues to the north, alongside the railway, from its western end. Short stretches of concrete anti-tank obstacles are visible where there are gaps in the ditch for road or railway crossings.
Royal Air Force, 1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431, 4198 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356746.
Royal Air Force, 1948, RAF/CPE/UK/9482, 4011 (Aerial Photograph). SDV115259.
It had already been filled in and levelled at the east end by March 1948.
Griffith, F. M., 1984, DAP/BX, 10 (Aerial Photograph). SDV131277.
Weak cropmarks visible, surprisingly, on modern aerial photograph as SY29209755.
Weddell, P. J., 1985, Untitled Source (Worksheet). SDV348719.
Site visit 29th January 1985. There is almost no trace of this now on the surface, except at one point to the east of Shoals Farm where a hollow way was first suspected.
Pepperell, S. J., 1990, Letter to Devon County Council (Correspondence). SDV115266.
When the ditch was cut areas of infill were left for farm access across it, to be blown up at a later date if necessary.
Weddell, P. J., 1991, Archaeological Appraisal of Potential Development Areas in Axminster and its Environs, 6 (Report - Assessment). SDV99927.
The ditch reached a depth of 2.5 metres. This feature was mostly levelled soon after the war and in many areas there are no surface indications.
Horner, W., 1993, Taunton Stop Line Survey (Site Visit). SDV356786.
Site visit: 22nd December 1993. A single concrete anti-tank block is visible on the west side of the railway at about SY28869768. A mound and undergrowth on the east side may mask a similar feature. Other details: Slide.
Mear, K., 1996, Defence of Britain Worksheet (Worksheet). SDV325701.
Farmer said trench had been filled in. No evidence found.
Dyer, M. J. + Whiteaway, T. E., 2003, Archaeological Recording During Gas Main Replacement Works, Woodbury Lane, Axminster, Devon, 10, Fig. 2 (Report - Watching Brief). SDV320799.
A ditch 3.8 metres wide was seen in plan within field OS 5332. Trenching (at SY29589745) showed the sides of this feature to slope at 45 degrees. Its full depth was not seen within the trench. The features, which contained redeposited clay with flint, with lenses of topsoil, represents part of the Taunton Stop Line.
Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 1149 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.
Probable tank trap visible on 1948 Aerial Photograph consisting of ditch flanked by two broad banks, also some anti-tank obstacles. Runs from railway line (NGR given) to Woodbury Lane (SY 2968 9753). Feature mostly levelled after the war.
SMR.
Sources / Further Reading
SDV115259 | Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1948. RAF/CPE/UK/9482. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 4011. |
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SDV115266 | Correspondence: Pepperell, S. J.. 1990. Letter to Devon County Council. Letter to Devon County Council. Letter + Digital. |
SDV131277 | Aerial Photograph: Griffith, F. M.. 1984. DAP/BX. Devon Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 10. |
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SDV320799 | Report - Watching Brief: Dyer, M. J. + Whiteaway, T. E.. 2003. Archaeological Recording During Gas Main Replacement Works, Woodbury Lane, Axminster, Devon. Exeter Archaeology Report. 03.38. A4 Stapled + Digital. 10, Fig. 2. |
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SDV325701 | Worksheet: Mear, K.. 1996. Defence of Britain Worksheet. Worksheet. |
SDV342938 | Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946 - 1949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photographs. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Digital). [Mapped feature: #84701 ] |
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SDV348719 | Worksheet: Weddell, P. J.. 1985. Axminster By-Pass. Worksheet. |
SDV351568 | Archive - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003-2004. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. Digital + Mixed Archive Material. Site No. 1149. |
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SDV356746 | Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1948. RAF/CPE/UK/2431. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 4198. |
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SDV356786 | Site Visit: Horner, W.. 1993. Taunton Stop Line Survey. A4 Single Sheet. |
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SDV99927 | Report - Assessment: Weddell, P. J.. 1991. Archaeological Appraisal of Potential Development Areas in Axminster and its Environs. Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit Report. 91.14. A4 Stapled + Digital. 6. |
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Associated Monuments
MDV45243 | Part of: Axminster Strong Point on the Taunton Stop Line (Monument) |
MDV119535 | Part of: The Taunton Stop Line (Monument) |
MDV48159 | Related to: Anti-Tank Ditch around south-east side of Axminster (Monument) |
MDV123127 | Related to: Anti-Tank Ditch, Woodbury Lane, Axminster (Monument) |
MDV81059 | Related to: Anti-Tank Obstacles on west side of Musbury Road, Axminster (Monument) |
MDV52906 | Related to: Pillbox on Wyke Road, Axminster (Monument) |
MDV52907 | Related to: Pillbox, Woodbury Lane, Axminster (Monument) |
MDV50875 | Related to: Railblock to east of Musbury Road, Axminster (Monument) |
MDV48156 | Related to: Shoals Pillbox, Axminster (Monument) |
Associated Finds: none recorded
Associated Events
- EDV891 - Archaeological Recording During Gas Main Replacement Works, Woodbury Lane, Axminster
Date Last Edited: | Dec 18 2024 3:53PM |
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