Starfish Bombing Decoy Sf1d |
| Hob Uid: 1469603 | |
Location :
North Somerset
Yatton
|
| Grid Ref : ST4340068600 |
| Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Kenn Moor. It was built in late 1940 as a 'Permanent Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from Bristol. The 'Starfish' decoy operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an urban area targeted by bombs. It is referenced as being operational until 1943. Aerial photography from 1969 shows that the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. However, in 2011, the control bunker was found to be still substantially intact and there are other possible associated concrete structures. These may be of the starfish site or of the 'QL' civil bombing decoy for Bristol (located at ST 1467963) which is also located on Kenn Moor. Further 'Starfish' bombing decoy sites for Bristol were located at Stockwood, Chew Magna, Downside, Cheddar and Yeomouth. |
More information : A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Kenn Moor (ST 434 686). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Bristol. It is referenced as being in use between 01-AUG-1941 and 01-APR-1943. Further 'Starfish' decoys for Bristol were located at Stockwood (ST 629 679), Chew Magna (ST 497 779), Downside (ST 478 659), Cheddar (ST 466 557) and Yeomouth (ST 368 670). (1)
Aerial photography shows that by 1969 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. It notes that some of the place names on the moor are 'Decoypool Rhyne' and Decoypool Drove'. (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)
The control bunker is still substantially intact (perhaps used as a shelter for animals) and there are several low concrete structures which remain. (4) |