Civil Bombing Decoy C1h |
| Hob Uid: 1467945 | |
Location :
North Somerset
Kingston Seymour
|
| Grid Ref : ST3680067000 |
| Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Yeomouth. It was built in late 1940 as a 'Permanent Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from the city of Bristol. In 1942 a 'QL' decoy was incorporated into the site as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to protect Avonmouth docks. The 'Starfish' decoy operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an urban area targeted by bombs. The 'QL' decoy displayed a range of lights to simulate active docks, marshalling yards and factories. The site is referenced as being in use until 1943, but could have been in use throughout the duration of the war. By the 1970s the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. Further civil bombing decoys for Bristol were located at Sheepway, Stockwood, Severn Beach, Lawrence Weston, Patchway, Chew Magna, Downside and Kenn Moor. |
More information : A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Yeomouth (ST 368 670). It is referenced as being active on 08-APR-1943. A 'QL' decoy was added to the site as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from Bristol. It is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. Further civil bombing decoys for Bristol were located at Sheepway (ST 497 779), Stockwood (ST 629 679), Severn Beach (ST 542 836), Lawrence Weston (ST 538 787), Patchway (ST 630 819), Chew Magna (ST 497 779), Downside (ST 478 659) and Kenn Moor 436 685). (1)
Aerial photography shows that by 1970 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. The 'Starfish' (or Special Fire) decoys for Bristol were developed in late 1940. There were six 'Starfish' sites positioned along a south-western approach to the city, so that raiders approaching along the Bristol Channel would pass within 2-3 miles of a 'Starfish' site. The 'Starfish' decoys for Bristol were among the most successful decoys of the war and were regularly attacked by raiders. (3) |