Starfish Bombing Decoy Sf67a |
Hob Uid: 1469902 | |
Location : Kent Tonbridge and Malling Hadlow
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Grid Ref : TQ6430046900 |
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Hammer Dyke. It was built in May 1942 in response to the Baedeker Raids as a 'Temporary Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from Tonbridge. The 'Starfish' decoy operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an urban area targeted by bombs. Aerial photography from 1988 shows that the site had been given over to agricultural use and no surviving features of the decoy is visible. Hammer Dyke was also the location of a bombing decoy for Royal Air Force West Malling airfield (at TQ 643 469). |
More information : A Second World War 'Temporary Starfish' bombing decoy located at Hammer Dyke (TQ 643 469). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Tonbridge. It is referenced as being in use on 12-MAY-1942. (1)
Aerial photography shows that by 1988 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. (2)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. In response to the Luftwaffe's Baedeker Raids a series of 'Temporary Starfish' decoys were implemented throughout the country at possible target locations. The 'Temporary Starfish' site for Tonbridge was implemented by the end of May 1942. (3) |