Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Airfield Bombing Decoy Q12a
Hob Uid: 1415691
Location : East Riding of Yorkshire Skerne and Wansford
Grid Ref : TA0343355032
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy at Skerne Grange, which was built to deflect enemy bombing from Royal Air Force Driffield. This was a 'Q-type' decoy that displayed a series of lights simulating an active airfield. It is referenced as being in operation between June 1940 and August 1941. In 1999 an uncovered control building at the site was reported to have survived in good condition, as did evidence of an earthwork embankment. By the time of the Defence of Britain survey the site was found to be in a poor condition. Further bombing decoys for Royal Air Force Diffield were located at Kilham and Skipsea. The surviving features were mapped and recorded as part of the Chalk Lowlands and the Hull Valley NMP.
More information : A bombing decoy site that was used during World War II to provide a counterfeit target for enemy aircraft. The site would have been constructed between 1939 and 1945 however, by the time of the Defence of Britain survey the site was found to be in a poor condition. It was located at Skerne Grange. (1) A Second World War bombing decoy located at Skerne (TA 034 552). A 'Q-type' decoy in operation between 19-JUN-1940 and 01-AUG-1941. A further bombing decoy was located at Kilham (TA 083 634). (2) An uncovered control building survives in good condition at the decoy site, with a clear and unobstructed entrance. Smaller remains of an earth bund are present, as seen from aerial photography. (3) NGR given concords with that given in source 1. Further bombing decoys for RAF Driffield were located at Skipsea (TA 183 537) and Kilham (TA 083 634). (4) Aerial photograph referenced in source 3. (5) Elements of a Second World War bombing decoy are visible as extant structures on air photographs, at TA0343 5503. The features were mapped and recorded as part of the Chalk Lowlands and the Hull Valley NMP. The features are extant on the latest 2008 vertical photography. (6)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
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Source details : The two databases developed by the Project can be searched on-line through the Archaeology Data Service at http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/specColl/dob/index.cfm
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Source details : OS/74084/266
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : NMR OS/97048 0104 28-MAR-1997
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : 1940-1941
Monument End Date : 1941
Monument Start Date : 1940
Monument Type : Decoy Airfield, Bombing Decoy
Evidence : Extant Structure, Earthwork, Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 5141
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Humberside)
External Cross Reference Number : MHU18434
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TA 05 NW 84
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-04-01
End Date : 2002-03-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 2008-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 2011-09-20
End Date : 2012-10-03

Historic England Research Records

Airfield Bombing Decoy Q12a