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 but by the time of the Defence of Britain survey the site was classed to be in a poor condition. It was located in Soap Well Wood, Guisborough. (1)
A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Kirkleatham (NZ 616 193). It was built to deflect enemy bombing from the city of Middlesbrough. It was also the location of a 'QF' bombing decoy, which was constructed as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys. The site is referenced as being in use between 01-AUG-1941 and 24-MAR-1942. Further civil bombing decoy sites for Middlesbrough were located at Bran Sands (NZ 559 236), Seal Sands (NZ 513 246), Greenabella (NZ 514 261), Cowpen Bewley (NZ 494 241), Grangetown ((NZ 572 218)), Wolviston (NZ 437 263), Elton (NZ 394 180), Middleton (NZ 481 114) and Newton Bewley (NZ 475 260). Further 'Starfish' site for Middlesbrough were located at Middleton, Kirkleatham, Osmotherley (SE 476 987), Guisborough (NZ 608 118), and Sneaton Moor (NZ 903 029). (2)
Aerial photography shows that by 1972 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. (3)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. The 'Starfish' decoys for Middlesbrough were implemented in 1941 and the final few decommissioned in early 1945. They were among the most successful bombing decoys of the war. (4)
There was a control building on the site until August 2010 when it was finally demolished. This website has images of the now demolished control bunker. (5) |