Oil 'Qf' Bombing Decoy P1 |
Hob Uid: 1469960 | |
Location : Medway Allhallows
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Grid Ref : TQ8557077386 |
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Allhallows. It was built by the Petroleum Board in 1941 as part of the 'P-series' of oil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the oil refinery on the Isle of Grain. This was an oil 'QF' decoy, where fuel oil was burned in specially-shaped pools and channels lined with brick or clay that when seen from the air replicated fuel storage tanks targeted by bombs. The decoy comprises two circular channels 17m and 23m in diameter, each surrounded by a narrow bunded enclosure. Each is linked to a single external sump by a narrow channel. A third bunded enclosure contains two crescent-shaped channels and a third amorphous pond, also linked to external sumps. The decoy was ignited electrically from a remote shelter or control building. Aerial photography from 1978 show the remains of four firebreaks at the site. A control building and ancillary building also survive in good condition to the north-west of the main site. Traces of the channels containing the charge control wires could also be seen crossing the site. The earthwork and cropmark remains of the decoy, and structural remains of the control buildings were mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. |
More information : A Second World War bombing decoy site located at All Hallows (TQ 855 774). It was built as part of the 'P-series' of oil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from oil installations on the Isle of Grain. It is referenced as being in use on 01-AUG-1941. (1)
Aerial photography from 1978 show that two circular and two crescentric firebreaks survive at the decoy site, with one rectangular earthwork located to the east. A control building is present in good condition, but without its earthen covering. (2)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. The oil 'QF' decoys were built and manned by the Petroleum Board in 1941. Fuel oil was burned in specially-shaped pools and channels lined with bricks or clay. They were ignited electrically from remote shelters. (3) --- The earthwork and cropmark remains of the Second World War QF bombing decoy described by the previous authorities could be seen at TQ 8570 7736 within Allhallows Marshes. The decoy structures comprise two circular oil channels of 17m and 23m in diameter designed to mimic burning oil tanks. Both channels are linked to a rectangular sump positioned to the north, just outside the low bunded enclosure of each pool. To the south-west of the circular pools is a second enclosure containing two crescent shaped channels between 18m and 19m long and 5m wide, and a smaller irregular pool. These are linked to external sumps by narrow channels. Wartime photographs also show a number of small rectilinear structures on the edges of the decoy structures along with traces of the channels for the elecrtic ignition control wires. Wartime photographs show a single small building 75m to the north-east of the site at TQ 8582 7748 which may be associated with the decoy complex.
The remains of the control buildings are located 300m to WNW at TQ 8534 7746. RAF photographs taken in 1946 show the control building covered with soil, but this has since been removed revealing a rectangular building with a blast wall protected entrance projecting NW. A second sub-divided building lies 40m to the NW of this, possibly an accommodation block.
The water-filled depressions of two Second World War bomb craters are still visible to the north-west and south-east of the decoy sites. The site of the decoy and its associated buildings were mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Hertiage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. (4-5) |