See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

A Second World War searchlight battery established in 1941 is visible as two earthwork pit and bank features on aerial photographs of 1945 onwards, within Dalditch Common.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• SEARCHLIGHT BATTERY (World War II - 1941 AD to 1941 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/508, RAF/106G/UK/508 RS 4101-02 13-JUL-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV355833.

The former searchlight battery is visible as earthwork pit and banked features. Map object based on this source.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1412, RAF/106G/UK/1412 RP 3112-13 13-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352504.

The former searchlight battery is visible as earthwork pit and banked features. Map object based on this source.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1995, RAF/CPE/UK/1995 RS 4304 13-APR-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV354842.

The former searchlight battery remains visible as earthworked features.

Royal Air Force, 1960, RAF/543/871 F22, RAF/543/871 F22 084-85 22-APR-1960 (Aerial Photograph). SDV355834.

The former earthworks appear to have been levelled, although may be obscured by vegetation.

Francis, P., 1999, Exeter Airport. Historic Airport Survey for Devon County Council & East Devon District Council, 139 (Report - non-specific). SDV323390.

At Knowle House, one searchlight spacing, 539 Battery, 88th Searchlight Regiment, August 1941.

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 searchlight battery is visible as two earthwork pit and bank features on aerial photographs of 1945 onwards, within Dalditch Common. The two circular earthwork pit features measure approximately 8m in diameter and are separated by approximately 73m. The northern of the two also appears to show evidence of a partial earthwork bank along its northern edge. The two earthworks possibly served as a gun pit and to house the main searchlight, although there was no clear evidence for the existence of any other ancillary features typically associated with a searchlight battery, such as accommodation hut and generator block. The two earthworks remain visible on aerial photographs up until 1947, although appear to have been levelled by 1960.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV323390	Report - non-specific: Francis, P.. 1999. Exeter Airport. Historic Airport Survey for Devon County Council & East Devon District Council. Airfield Research Publishing Report. Digital + A4. 139.
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
SDV352504	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/1412 RP 3112-13 13-APR-1946.
SDV354842	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1947. RAF/CPE/UK/1995. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1995 RS 4304 13-APR-1947.
SDV355833	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/508. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/508 RS 4101-02 13-JUL-1945.
SDV355834	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1960. RAF/543/871 F22. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/543/871 F22 084-85 22-APR-1960.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4774 - Historic Airport Survey, Exeter Airport
• EDV6127 - Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme (NMP) for South-West England - South Coast Devon (Ref: ACD618)

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.