MMO1708 - Possible World War Two military earthworks on Malmsmead Hill (Monument)
Summary
Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record caveat document.
Type and Period (1)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
A series of irregularly shaped features of probable modern date can be seen on aerial photographs of the 1940s, on the northwestern side of Malmesmead Hill, centred on circa SS 7822 4665 , Brendon parish. They appear to be very low earthworks approximately 3 metres wide and 16 metres long. They are of unknown function but are probably related to the military training area which operated across substantial areas of Exmoor during Second World War, including Brendon Common (MSO7776). The significance of their arrangement and orientation is also unclear. Munitions testing is known to have taken place in this area, as evidenced by numerous small craters visible on aerial photographs, but they may have been caused by particular military activity such as chemical weapons testing. The earthworks might be associated with similarly arranged surface marks approximately 250 metres to the northeast (MMO1707). They can still be seen on photographs of the early 1950s and possibly as very low features on 1995 photography. [1-4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [5]
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 540/910 (F20) 4103-4 (7 October 1952).
- <2> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 106G-UK1655 3082 (F20) (11 July 1946).
- <3> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/95026 114-115 (12 March 1995).
- <4>XY SMO7551 Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 NE. MD002168. [Mapped feature: #33106 ]
- <5> SEM7987 Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1461259, Extant 8 December 2021.
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1461259 (Pastscape entry: 1461259)
Other Statuses/References
- Local List Status (Unassessed)
- National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 NE94
- NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1461259
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 7823 4664 (137m by 129m) Aerial Survey |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS74NE |
Civil Parish | BRENDON, NORTH DEVON, DEVON |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (5)
- Part of: Exmoor firing range (Monument) (MSO7776)
- Related to: Possible World War Two features on Malmesmead Hill (Monument) (MMO1707)
- Related to: World War Two military activity on Scob Hill (Monument) (MMO1716)
- Related to: World War Two military training earthworks on Shilstone Hill (Monument) (MMO1712)
- Related to: World War Two military training earthworks on Tarr Ball Hill (Monument) (MMO2271)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Dec 8 2021 10:32AM
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