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Summary

Three parallel rows of probable concrete anti-invasion defences are visible as structures obstructing access across Branscombe Mouth, north of Branscombe beach, on aerial photographs of 1946. The structures are not visible on later images available to the survey. Most were removed in 1963. Only one was still standing in 1997.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 1417376
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SY28NW/58

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ANTI TANK OBSTACLE (World War II - 1939 AD (Between) to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

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

A triple row of concrete posts is visible running east-west from SY20678813 to SY20788814. They block the exit off the beach at Branscombe and are covered at either end by pillboxes. A single row of 'posts' is marked on the 1963 OS 6 inch map, which could indicate that some of these features survive. It is not clear from the aerial photo whether these are posts or concrete anti-tank 'pimples'.

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

Three rows of small structures are visible.

Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photography, 1950, CUCAP FK, CUCAP FK0055 13-AUG-1950 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356582.

The concrete obstructions remain visible.

King, E., 1995, Swimming at Branscombe (Personal Comment). SDV120930.

Ted King, a former RAF fighter pilot based at Exeter, recalls that RAFpilots were allowed through the barbed wire entanglements at the beach mouth at Branscombe in order to go swimming.

Hellis, J., 1996, Site JH/01946 (Correspondence). SDV120929.

A post war postcard of Branscombe clearly shows three lines of concrete obstacles across the mouth of the valley. The front and middle rows appear to be cylinders, the rear appears to be tall truncated pyramids.

Taylor, B., 1997, Anti tank obstacle at Branscombe 'Sea Shanty', Photos (Worksheet). SDV366200.

Site visits 23rd June 1996 and 13th June 1997. There were originally three rows of anti tank obstacles. Those nearest the sea were cylinders, the third row being larger. They were removed in 1963 with most being broken off at ground level. Some signs remains on the ground. Others were buried in the ground next to the beach. Only one, from the third row, remains in the carpark. The three rows are visible on the attached old postcards.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 2733 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.

Triple row posts SY 2067 8813 to 2078 8814 on aerial photograph.
SMR.

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

Three parallel rows of probable anti-invasion defences are visible as structures obstructing access across Branscombe Mouth, north of Branscombe beach, on aerial photographs of 1946. The rows of obstructions were up to approximately 120 metres in length, blocking off the entire width of Branscombe Mouth, and appear to have comprised small white structures, probably of concrete cast in-situ. The structures were probably up to 1.5 metres across and spaced around 1.5 to 2 metres apart. The rows were approximately 25 metres apart. It is probable the structures were constructed as anti-tank obstructions. The structures cannot be confidently identified over the pale areas of the beach footpaths but it is probable the barrier was continuous.
Any barbed wire obstructions previously present cannot be seen on images of 1946 and had probably been removed by 1944. The hardened obstructions remain visible in situ on CUCAP images of 1950 but are not visible in situ on later images available to the survey.

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

Sources / Further Reading

SDV120929	Correspondence: Hellis, J.. 1996. Site JH/01946. Email to B. Horner. A4 Single Sheet + Digital.
SDV120930	Personal Comment: King, E.. 1995. Swimming at Branscombe. Digital.
SDV336108	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 3197 (45/21).
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
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. 2733.
SDV352504	Aerial 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. [Mapped feature: #95059 ]
SDV356582	Aerial Photograph: Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photography. 1950. CUCAP FK. Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photography. Photograph (Paper). CUCAP FK0055 13-AUG-1950.
SDV357736	Interpretation: Pink, F.. 2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment. AC Archaeology Report. ACD618/4/3. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV366200	Worksheet: Taylor, B.. 1997. Anti tank obstacle at Branscombe 'Sea Shanty'. Defence of Britain Project. Worksheet + Digital. Photos.

Associated Monuments

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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