MMO627 - World War Two tank training range at Bossington and North Hill and Selworthy Beacon (Monument)

Summary

The site was visible as structures and earthworks mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1946. Many structures were no longer visible in 1950, but the concrete roads and hard standing areas were still visible in 2001.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status

Full Description

SS 9555 4734 A Second World War tank training ground, visible as structures and earthworks, were mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1946. Located on Minehead's North Hill between Lower Moor Farm in the east, Wood Combe in the west, Greenaleigh Farm in the north and Camp Reservoir in the south, the military training ground consists of purpose built concrete military roads, Nissen huts and military buildings, tank marshalling and loading areas, as well as defensive earthworks such as weapons pits. Many of the structures were no longer visible in 1950, but the concrete roads and hard standing areas were still visible in 2001. [1-16] There are 3 triangular tank courses around which the tanks would drive shooting at targets moving on track. These tracks appear as linear earthworks. There are also numerous low platforms scattered over the north part of the range that were bulldozed from the surrounding area, some with sandbagged walls, which acted as observation posts (eg at SS 9080 4831 and five at SS 91 48) and gun platforms. In addition, there are many mounds that would have been obstructions. The tank courses are connected by three straight lengths of road to a larger road (now track) which runs from SS 9104 4765 E to SS 9504 4705. Another road runs north towards West Myne. This farm and East Myne were abandoned to make way for the range. There are also other building remains at SS 9077 4828. [3] Listed as 'AFV Range Minehead'. [18] See linked child records for individual sites. [19] Digital reconstructions of tank training activity and the targets created to support this were created as part of the Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership Scheme (EMLPS) in 2015. [20,21]

Sources/Archives (22)

  • <1> Unpublished document: McDonnell, R.. 1980. Gazetteer of Sites in the Exmoor National Park Identified through Aerial Photography. AP survey- WAT- 9047,9048,9147,9148,9248,9347,9447.
  • <2> Serial: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. 1851-. Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. Aston, MA and Murless, BJ (1977) 140-41.
  • <3> Article in serial: Osborn, B.. 1983. Parish surveys in Somerset five: Minehead Without. Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. 5. 11.
  • <4> Aerial photograph: July 1946. LHL 106G.UK.1655. 3009, 3014, 3016-3018, 4005, 4011-4013.
  • <5a> Aerial photograph: September 19. HSL.UK.71-177 Run 91, 8681 and Run 93, 8735-8736. SCPD.HSL.UK.71-177 8681 Run 93 8735,8736, Run 95,8743, Run 97, 8681, Sept 1971.
  • <5b> Aerial photograph: September 19. HSL.UK.71-177 Run 95, 8743 and Run 97, 8681.
  • <6> Aerial photograph: 1947. LHL CPE/UK/1980. 3027.
  • <7> Verbal communication: Various. Various. Oral Information. Ministry of Defence to B Osborne, 16 May 1979.
  • <8> Unpublished document: Eardley-Wilmot, H.. 1981. Worksheet in Devon HER. Slide SCPD.3.029.0046-0047.
  • <9> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/1655 4004-4005 (11 July 1946).
  • <10> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/1655 3007-3008 (11 July 1946).
  • <11> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF/CPE/UK/1980 4025 (11 April 1947).
  • <12> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 541/544 3004-3005 (1 June 1950).
  • <13> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Oblique Aerial Photograph. NMR SS 9447/1/187 (SF1459) (1 March 1979).
  • <14> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR/OS 93297 038-039 (16 August 1993).
  • <15> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Oblique Aerial Photograph. NMR SS 9547/9 (21106/05) (9 February 2001).
  • <16> Collection: RCHME Exeter. 1993-1999. Exmoor Project.
  • <17>XY Archive: Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment: SS 94 NW. MD000133. [Mapped feature: #35165 ]
  • <18> Unassigned: 1/5/1943. WO166-11001 (Somerset Sub Dist War Diary).
  • <19> Verbal communication: Various. Various. Oral Information.
  • <20> Artwork: Lorimer, P.. 2015. Tank training activity at North Hill, Exmoor: Digital reconstruction drawing.
  • <21> Artwork: Lorimer, P.. 2015. Tank training targets at North Hill, Exmoor: Digital reconstruction drawing.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11440
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO7616
  • Local List Status (Candidate)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NW64
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1102198
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 33814

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9566 4726 (1350m by 1226m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS94NE
Civil Parish MINEHEAD, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET
Civil Parish MINEHEAD WITHOUT, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (50)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Oct 25 2021 12:36PM

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