MSO7671 - World War Two observation post on North Hill (Monument)

Centred at SS 92612 48244 is a flat topped earthen mound. It lies on open moorland immediately south of enclosed farmland. It measures approximately 28 metres by 12 metres and is 2.7 metres high, although precise measurements are difficult to obtain due to the dense gorse on the mound. The northern face of the mound has a length of concrete walling visible in it. It is 8.5 metres long and 0.7 metres high and has a projecting angle towards one end. The feature is associated with World War Two activity on North Hill and may be an observation post. [1] The mound referred to above [1] is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. The mound is centred at SS 9262 4824 and measures about 27 metres long by 13 metres wide and is as described in [1]. [2-4] An underground structure identified from 1946 aerial photographs at SS 9266 4821 with a large open front to the north. [2] Possibly visible from the air in 1993. [5] A large low mound covered in thick gorse. [6] This observation/target operating dugout seems to have a different plan to other visible dugouts on the range. The projecting front angle probably has slit windows, sealable with steel shutters, on each face of the projection, allowing a wider field of view to the east and west of the dugout. The dugout was probably part of the target layout for the battle practice range as it does not seem to fit in with the likely arcs of fire from either Range A or Range B. Similar dugouts, with triangular projections, exist at both of the former AFV ranges at Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire and Warcop, Cumbria. The dugout is probably intact beneath the mound. Site visit February 1998. [7] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [8]