Monument record 8133/0/2 - WWII QF Decoy Site (Civil Bombing Decoy C26b)

A Second World War bombing decoy site at Woodford. It was built in 1941 as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to protect factories in Islip. This was a 'QL' decoy, which displayed simulated marshalling yard lights, locomotive glows and factory lighting that would be present at Islip. The site is referenced as being in use up until 1943. Aerial photography from 1971 shows that the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. A further civil bombing decoy site was located at Cranford.

{1} A Second World War 'QL' bombing decoy located at Woodford (SP 962 761). It was constructed as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from Kettering. It is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. A further civil bombing decoy for Kettering was located at Cranford (SP 914 784).

{2} QF site to simulate specific target by night (QF fire) for Kettering. These were smaller decoys than the Starfish of WWII.

{3} Aerial photography from 1971 shows that 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. 82 (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 9:49AM