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Summary

A Second World War anti-aircraft battery is visible as an earthwork banked feature, with associated structures, on aerial photographs of 1944 onwards, to the southeast of Cranbrook. All traces of the light anti-aircraft battery have been cleared and levelled by 1963.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LIGHT ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1944, RAF/NLA/80, RAF/NLA/80 RP 33-34 24-MAR-1944 (Aerial Photograph). SDV358954.

The anti-aircraft battery is visible as a possible earthwork banked feature with three associated nissen huts.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1823, RAF/CPE/UK/1823 RP 3066-67 04-NOV-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV354994.

The anti-aircraft battery is visible as an earthwork banked feature with two remaining nissen huts. Map object based on this source.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RP 3459-60 11-APR-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356127.

The anti-aircraft battery is visible as an earthwork banked feature, although the nissen huts have been demolished. Map object based on this source.

Royal Air Force, 1963, RAF/543/2332, RAF/543/2332 2F21 022-23 26-JUL-1963 (Aerial Photograph). SDV354847.

All traces of the light anti-aircraft battery have been levelled.

Dobinson, C. S., 1996, Anti-aircraft artillery, 1914-46 (Monograph). SDV323690.

Light AA battery, Site '1' at Exeter. Site equipped with a single 40mm Bofors on a MkII platform. Manned by 75 Regt, 303 Bty. Other details: AAI.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2014-2015, East and Mid Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV356883.

A Second World War anti-aircraft battery is visible as an earthwork banked feature, with associated structures, on aerial photographs of 1944 onwards, to the southeast of Cranbrook. The site of the earthwork battery itself is fairly diffuse in shape but appears slightly crenulated in form, although the northern extent of the site appears to have been completely levelled. The site of the gun emplacement, however, is estimated at approximately 11.5m in length by 9m in width and appears to be embedded into an extant field boundary, to the south of Parsons Lane, no doubt as a means of concealment. Aerial photographs of 1944 show a series of three nissen huts located approximately 62m to the northeast. By 1946, only two are extant and by 1947 these have also been demolished, leaving only concrete platforms of these former structures visible. All traces of the light anti-aircraft battery have been cleared and levelled by 1963.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV323690	Monograph: Dobinson, C. S.. 1996. Anti-aircraft artillery, 1914-46. Twentieth Century Fortifications in England. I.4. A4 Bound.
SDV354847	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1963. RAF/543/2332. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/543/2332 2F21 022-23 26-JUL-1963.
SDV354994	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/CPE/UK/1823. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1823 RP 3066-67 04-NOV-1946.
SDV356127	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1947. RAF/CPE/UK/1974. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RP 3459-60 11-APR-1947.
SDV356883	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2014-2015. East and Mid Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV358954	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1944. RAF/NLA/80. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/NLA/80 RP 33-34 24-MAR-1944.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6530 - The East and Mid-Devon Rivers Catchment NMP project (Ref: ACD613)
• EDV4887 - Assessment Two Areas of Highway to the East of Exeter

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