Monument record 8133/0/1 - WWII QL Decoy Site (Civil Bombing Decoy C26a)

A Second World War bombing decoy site at Cranford. It was built in 1941 as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to protect Kettering railway station. The site functioned as both a 'QF' and 'QL' decoy. The 'QF' decoy consisted of a series of controlled fires lit during an air raid to replicate a target struck by bombs. The 'QL' decoy simulated the marshalling yard lights, locomotive glows and factory lighting that would be present at Kettering. The site is referenced as being operational until 1943. Aerial photography shows that by 1970 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. A further civil bombing decoy for Kettering was located at Woodford

{1} The report gazetteer makes specific reference to this C series (civil) decoy (a QL & QF site). The QL target was Kettering station with MY lights and factory lights at the QL decoy. The site is identified as being in use at least 2.10.1942 - 1.5.1943.This decoy was one of two for Kettering, the other being at Woodford for Islip.

{2} QL site to simulate specific targets by night (QL lights) for Kettering (with another QL site at Woodford). These were smaller than the Starfish decoys of WWII.

{3} Aerial photography shows that by 1970 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive.

{4} NGR concords with that given in source {1}. The 'C-series' decoys for Kettering were implemented by September 1941.

<1> DOBINSON C.; DENISON S., 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England: Bombing Decoys of World War Two, p.128+135 (unchecked) (Report). SNN40623.

<2> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.90 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<3> Anderton M.J., 1999, Twentieth Century Military Recording Project: World War Two Bombing Decoy Sites (Survey Undertaken for MPP), p. 81 (Report). SNN106122.

<4> Dobinson C., 2000, Fields of Deception: Britain's Bombing Decoys of World War II, p. 137, 282 (Book). SNN105856.

Record last edited

Sep 26 2022 9:44AM