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Devon during WW2 | Sites and Memorials

11th May 2020

Categories: Visitor News

The 8^th May marked the 75^th Anniversary of V E Day or Victory in Europe Day, the day in which WW2 ended in Europe. The official end of the war came a little later after the Japanese surrender with the launching of the atom bomb. While for many, this is a time to look back and commemorate the lives lost and the freedoms gained, it is also a time to remember the UK’s role in the war. In Devon, the landscape made it the perfect place to practice manoeuvres and places like Plymouth and Exeter had strategic importance, but there was a lot more to Devon’s wartime contribution than naval bases.

Here are a selection of memorials and sites of historical interest left over from the second world war that can still be found in Devon today.

The Brixham Battery

Located between Brixham town and Fishcombe Cove you’ll find Brixham Battery and Battery Gardens which is home to a series of abandoned bunkers of the battery, which have been in place since the 1500s as a way to guard against attacks from the Spanish Navy. The site’s useful position led to it becoming one of 116 emergency batteries which were built along the coast following the defeat at Dunkirk. These days, there are only seven of these buildings remaining and the remaining building is now a heritage centre where you can find lots of artefacts from the period. Perhaps somewhere you can visit once we get the all clear?

Dunkeswell Aifield

This airfield can be found in Honiton and is now a private airfield with a heritage centre that is open to the public. Back in 1940, it soon became apparent that U-boats and submarines were a real threat and the German navy had gained access to a number of bases around the coast. The South West didn’t have any suitable airfields which would help them intercept the boats, leading to the creation of the airfield. Dunkeswell is unique as it stands 850 feet above sea level and was relatively flat, giving the perfect view of the ocean. The site became the base to a number of American units who’s purpose was to attack and sink U boats. The last mission was flown 75 years ago, in May 1945.

Slapton Sands

Many of Devon’s beaches were used as preparation for the D-Day landings, one of them was Slapton Sands which was used by the American military to carry out exercises because it resembled sections of the French coast. It was instrumental in Exercise Tiger. Behind the beach at Torcross, which is nearby you’ll find a Sherman Tank which was lost during an attack on the region, it now serves as a monument.

River Dart

During 1944, River Dart was used as a harbour for the attack on France on 6^th June of that year. 485 ships left the river on the 4^thJune ready for the invasion.

Image – Unique Devon tours

Ruins of Charles Church

Charles Church in Plymouth was initially completed in 1708 and was built for King Charles I. During the 1940s, Plymouth sustained heavy bombing raids which resulted in Charles Church being destroyed. After the war, Plymouth was rebuilt, but the decision was made to leave the church as ruins so it could be dedicated as a memorial. You can still see the church remains in the centre of a roundabout near the Drake Circus Shopping Centre.

Training camps

North Devon is full of former barracks and training camps which were mostly used by American soldiers during the latter half of the war. Appledore, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Combe Martin and Barnstaple all have remains of barracks and memorials to the soldiers that used to live there.

Do you have any stories of Devon during WW2 that you’d like to share for this year’s VE Day anniversary? Get in touch with us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.