MMO3233 - Possible World War Two military earthworks west of North Molton Ridge (Monument)

A group of small, shallow circular pits or hollows are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946. It is possible that these shallow marks are the remains of gun emplacements dating from the Second World War.

A group of small, shallow circular pits or hollows are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 on moorland west of North Molton Ridge, North Molton. This group, centred at approximately SS 7693 3225, consists of four circular pits, each with a flattened southern edge and arranged in a roughly linear pattern with each pit measuring approximately 9-10 metres across. Their precise function is uncertain, but given that they only appear on 1946 photographs they may be military in origin, probably dating to the Second World War. According to Burton, large field guns were stationed across North Molton Ridge during the war, and it is possible that these shallow marks are the remains of gun emplacements. [1-3] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [4]