Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Airfield Bombing Decoy Q45a
Hob Uid: 1416051
Location : Buckinghamshire Grendon Underwood
Grid Ref : SP6703019620
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy at Grendon Underwood that was built to deflect enemy bombing from Royal Air Force Bicester. This site was operational from early 1940 and functioned as both a 'K-type' day decoy and a 'Q-type' night decoy. The 'K-type' decoy consisted of a replica airfield equipped with dummy Battle aircraft, while the 'Q-type' decoy displayed a sequence of lights to simulate an active airfield. The 'K-type' decoy ceased operating on 27th June 1941 as it had become an unconvincing decoy, however the 'Q-type' decoy is referenced as still being active in 1942. By the 1970s the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive.
More information : DECOY SITE SHELTER. SRF, with 4 photographs. Gallows Bridge. Recorder- A. Armishaw. (1) A Second World War 'Q-type' and 'K-type' bombing decoy located at Grendon Underwood (SP 678 198). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from RAF Bicester. The 'Q-type' decoy is referenced as being in use between 19-JUN-1940 to 12-AUG-1942, while the 'K-type' is referenced as being active from 13-MAR-1940 until its closure on 27-JUN-1941. (2) By 1975 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. (3) NGR concords with that given in source 2. The 'K-type' decoy at Grendon Underwood was equipped with dummy Battle aircraft. The day decoy ceased operating in June 1941 as it had become an unconvincing decoy. (4) Buckinghamshire HER number for decoy is 0941900000. NGR for site is given as SP 67029 19624. (5)

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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 Number : 5
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Source details : Buckinghamshire County Council, date unknown. Unlocking Buckinghamshire's Past <> [Accessed 08-FEB-2008]
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Built in 1940
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1940
Monument Type : Decoy Site Shelter, Bombing Decoy Site, Bombing Decoy
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 5639
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Essex)
External Cross Reference Number : 941900000
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SP 61 NE 43
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

Historic England Research Records

Airfield Bombing Decoy Q45a