Monday 25 November 2019

WW2 Beach Battery, Beer, Devon




A site that I originally visited and photographed in 2007, the batch of film was old and turned out badly so I eventually returned to take other photos in the winter of 2010, and it's those that I've used on this article.


The first photo shows the battery from an approach along the beach. It blends in quite well against the background of limestone cliffs (further along, outside the photo where it isn't grown over). It's situated at the bottom of the slip road from the village to the beach, in what is known as Charlie's Yard.


The views from the battery over the beach at ground level, below.



I wasn't able to find anything about this particular emplacement. Unlike the battery at Axmouth Harbour, this appears to have had no large embrasure suitable for wheeling in a big gun, unless it has been bricked up. However, four loopholes remain on the eastern side and one on the southern wall. There's no access inside and being a short woman of only 5' 2½", I wasn't able to look through the openings. I did try! ;)


Above, a close-up of the east side embrasures. The south side embrasure is shown below.


I'm not sure how much of the whole structure contained the actual battery, but there are no visible signs to suggest blocked entrances. However, the view (below) taken on the approach from the village, shows an entry which enables access to the roof of the battery, therefore covering what would have been the north side, and most probably where the entrance would have been. The roof is now a picnic area with benches and a telescope.


Below, some views from the top...


 ...which wouldn't be complete without a seagull! :)


And finally, looking over onto the beach.









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