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AIRFIELD BOMBING DECOY Q33A

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A Second World War bombing decoy site located at Swayfield. It was constructed as both a 'K-type' day decoy and a 'Q-type' night decoy to deflect enemy bombing from Royal Air Force Cottesmore airfield. The 'K-type' decoy consisted of a replica airfield equipped with dummy Battle aircraft. The 'Q-type' decoy displayed a series of lights at night to simulate an active airfield. The decoys were built in 1940 and the 'K-type' ceased operating on 27th June 1941, as it had become an unconvincing decoy. The 'Q-type' decoy is referenced as being active up until August 1941. A control building survives in good condition on the site, with a reasonable amount of earthern covering still attached.

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A Second World War 'Q-type' and 'K-type' bombing decoy site located at Swayfield. It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from RAF Cottesmore. The 'Q-type' decoy is referenced as being in use from 19-JUN-1940 to 01-AUG-1941. The 'K-type' decoy is referenced as being in use from 13-MAR-1904 until its closure on 27-JUN-1941. (1)

Aerial photography shows that in 1976 a control building survived on the site in good condition, with earthern covering still attached. It notes some damage had occurred on its northern side. (2)

NGR concords with that given in source 1. The 'K-type' decoy at Swayfield was equipped with dummy Battle aircraft. It was bombed twice in June 1940. However, It ceased operating on 27-JUN-1941 as it had become an unconvincing decoy. (3)

Aerial photograph showing the survival of a control building on the site. (4)

SOURCE TEXT

(1) C S Dobinson 1996 Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 3. Bombing decoys of WWII : England's passive air defences, 1939-45

Page(s)92,104

(2) Michael J. Anderton 1999 Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two bombing decoy sites

Page(s)71-72

(3) Colin Dobinson 2000 Fields of deception: Britain's bombing decoys of World War II

Page(s)38,55,126,246

(4) Aerial photograph

MAL/78003/171

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RAF COTTESMORE
COTTESMORE

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A military airfield opened in 1938, and still in use by the Royal Air Force. Construction of the base begun in 1935 as part of the expansion of the Ro...

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