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HER Number:MDV39336
Name:Second World War Pillbox to west of Branscombe Mouth

Summary

A Second World War pillbox is located on the cliff edge. The structure is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards.

Location

Grid Reference:SY 206 881
Map Sheet:SY28NW
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishBranscombe
DistrictEast Devon
Ecclesiastical ParishBRANSCOMBE

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • National Monuments Record: 1417371
  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SY28NW/65

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1412, 3197 (45/21) (Aerial Photograph). SDV336108.

Pillbox visible covering Branscombe Beach and defences from the west side.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1412, RAF/106G/UK/1412 3196-3197 13-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352504.

A rectangular structure is visible.

National Trust, 1984, Branscombe and Salcombe Regis (Report - Survey). SDV325224.

Two Second World War pillboxes, strategically placed at Branscombe Mouth as part of the south coast defences. One stands at SY20668814, the other at SY20668813. The buildings are of concrete blocks, squarish in plan, with characteristic small windows. They are set into the slope. Restoration of these is currently being planned.

Hellis, J., 1989, Site 00179 (Ground Photograph). SDV98827.

Pillbox of local pattern, oblong, with two gunports on each long side, four gunports set up for vickers machine gun though size of gunport would limit field of fire

Hellis, J., 1990, List of Defensive Sites (Un-published). SDV99101.

Dick, A. M., 1992, Pillbox (Personal Comment). SDV98825.

Currently used by the National Trust as a wood store.

Taylor, B., 1996, Pillbox at Branscombe Mouth West, Photos (Worksheet). SDV366203.

Pillbox of local design situated by the road to Lookout Hold, 20m west of Sea Shanty. Built of concrete blocks. Rectangular, 4m by 3m. One gun port in the south side, three gun ports and a door on the west side, two gun ports on the east side and one to the north. There are two vent pipes on the roof. Still accessible and used by the National Trust as a wood store.

Channel Coast Observatory, 2001-2012, Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography, Channel Coastal Observatory SY2088_20120917ortho.ecw 17-SEP-2012 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351226.

A rectangular structure is visible.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 2732 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.

Pillbox. Survives.

Passmore, A. + Passmore, M., 2010, Second World War Pillboxes, 1-2 (Leaflet). SDV345308.

One of three pillboxes that guarded Branscombe Mouth. Only two are extant. Other details: Photograph.

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

A Second World War pillbox is visible on aerial photographs of 1946 as a structure on the coastal cliff edge overlooking the beach at Branscombe Mouth. The structure remains clearly visible and appears to be in good condition on digital images derived from aerial photographs taken in 2012. Access or steps are visible to the western side of the structure but it is unclear if these are part of the original structure.

Pink, F., 2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment (Interpretation). SDV357736.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325224Report - Survey: National Trust. 1984. Branscombe and Salcombe Regis. National Trust Archaeological Survey Report. Not applicable. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV336108Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 3197 (45/21).
SDV345308Leaflet: Passmore, A. + Passmore, M.. 2010. Second World War Pillboxes. A Brief Introduction to Twentieth Century Military and Civil Defence Archaeology in Devon. 13. A4 Folded. 1-2.
SDV351146Interpretation: 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
SDV351226Aerial Photograph: Channel Coast Observatory. 2001-2012. Channel Coast Observatory Aerial Photography. Channel Coast Observatory. Digital. Channel Coastal Observatory SY2088_20120917ortho.ecw 17-SEP-2012. [Mapped feature: #90241 ]
SDV351568Archive - 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. 2732.
SDV352504Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/1412 3196-3197 13-APR-1946.
SDV357736Interpretation: Pink, F.. 2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment. AC Archaeology Report. ACD618/4/3. Digital.
Linked documents:1
SDV366203Worksheet: Taylor, B.. 1996. Pillbox at Branscombe Mouth West. Defence of Britain Project. Worksheet + Digital. Photos.
SDV98825Personal Comment: Dick, A. M.. 1992. Pillbox. Digital.
SDV98827Ground Photograph: Hellis, J.. 1989. Site 00179.
SDV99101Un-published: Hellis, J.. 1990. List of Defensive Sites. Manuscript.

Associated Monuments

MDV55051Related to: Second World War Anti Invasion Defences, Branscombe Mouth (Monument)
MDV106916Related to: Second World War Pillbox on Branscombe Beach (Monument)
MDV39337Related to: Second World War Pillbox to east of Branscombe Mouth (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV4917 - Site Visit to World War II Pillboxes at Branscombe

Date Last Edited:Oct 24 2024 4:42PM