MSO9601 - World War Two observation post on Bossington Hill (Monument)

An underground structure identified from 1946 aerial photographs astride a field boundary. See MMO627 for overall details. [1] Possibly visible from the air in 1993. [2] A large spread mound 30 by 35 metres crossed by farm tracks. One piece of cast concrete protrudes slightly from the top - the lintel of a filled entrance? A low wide bank runs to the southwest which is probably part of the field system MSO8075. [3] The remains of an observation post lie on Bossington Hill at SS 9130 4824. The features were recorded using differential GPS as part of the RCHME Exmoor project. The remains comprise a grass covered mound, 35 by 22 by 2 metres high. The concrete structure on the mound top represents the remains of the entrance, which was on the northern side. The observation post functioned as part of the World War Two tank training range on Bossington Hill, Selworthy Beacon and North Hill. [4] The observation post referred to above [1] is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. The post is defined by an earthen mound that is centred at SS 9130 4824 and which measures 30 metres by 19 metres. The post was part of the Second World War tank training activities recorded as MMO627. [1,5,6] This is probably a buried observation/target dugout. Given the apparent orientation of entrance it is likely to have been used in conjunction with Range C firing track (MSO8108). The concrete feature in the turf may be the remains of the wall used to retain the mound above the entrance. The entrance has subsequently been filled in. [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]