Mortehoe Station:
The railway line from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe has been torn up, but Mortehoe Station still exists with some wartime storage buildings nearby. Further down the line, Braunton car park stands on the site of the railway station where long troop trains had to pull forward three or four times to allow all American soldiers to alight on the country platform.
Instow:
The U.S. Navy took over the entire foreshore to beach and dry out their landing craft after use in the Assault Training Center’s amphibious exercises at Woolacombe and Saunton. There was a small camp at the eastern end of the beach that was used for repair and maintenance, and a slipway for their DUKWs which is still in use today for the very same purpose. Carved into a stone wall alongside this slipway are a few names of the local Home Guard who patrolled the shoreline.
Braunton Camp:
In late 1943 with winter closing in, it was considered unreasonable that troops should live under canvas, and there was concern that more permanent facilities should be available. By mid October the 398th Engineers had Braunton Camp 65% complete (350 out of 505 huts). Other projects of the 398 Engineers were mess halls and showers at Ilfracombe and storage facilities at the Mortehoe Station.
Fremington:
Today the camp is owned by the British Army and is the headquarters for all training ranges in North Devon including Braunton Burrows.
In January 1944 the camp was taken over by the U.S. 313rd Station hospital with approximately 300 enlisted men, 70 commissioned female nurses and about 40 medical officers, half of whom were administrative staff. The hospital remained at Fremington throughout 1944 and when re-designated as the 827th Convalescent Center, moved to a U.S. Army camp near Andover, Hampshire.
On the 31st of July 1944 the … “ Body of 2 Lt J.B. attached to 45 Replacement Battalion US Army, Braunton, Devon found on Saunton Sands approx 8.30 am.
Deceased had been bathing at Saunton Sands on 30 Jul 44 with other officers but had not been reported as missing. Body identified by 2nd Lt Alexander E Woodside of same unit. Body removed to Braunton mortuary and later to 313 American Field Station Hospital at Fremington, Devon. Buried at Cambridge American Cemetery”.
