Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Civil Bombing Decoy Site C82
Hob Uid: 617989
Location : Somerset Mendip, Sedgemoor Cheddar, Priddy, Shipham
Grid Ref : ST4796057090
Summary : The remains of a World War II bombing decoy site together with two associated control buildings, an air raid shelter and a series of anti-aircraft obstructions situated on Black Down, probably constructed 1941-42. The anti-aircraft obstructions are in the form of rows of earth mounds and stone cairns intended to prevent enemy aircraft landings on this relatively flat and unwooded area of the West Mendips. The two concrete control buildings would have housed the operating triggers for the lighting and fire decoys on Black Down which were intended to replicate the lighting patterns for the centre of Bristol, 25km to the north west, and its main railway depots. The surviving decoys themselves are indicated by slight earthwork remains many of which contain remains of cabling. The site was known collectively as C82.
More information : ST 480573: All over Black Down are lines of round mounds arranged on a grid pattern. On the South side is a large air-raid shelter. The only explanation so far offered is that this site is the remains of a `decoy town' to attract enemy bombers. Others are said to have existed on the Blackdowns and at Lympsham. (See Illustration card for plan) (1). Other extant structures associated with this Project Starfish monument are; ST 48805661 and ST 46845616- air raid shelters. (2) The remains of a World War II bombing decoy site together with two associated control buildings, an air raid shelter and a series of anti-aircraft obstructions situated on Black Down, probably constructed 1941-42. The anti-aircraft obstructions are in the form of rows of earth mounds and stone cairns intended to prevent enemy aircraft landings on this relatively flat and unwooded area of the West Mendips. The two concrete control buildings would have housed the operating triggers for the lighting and fire decoys on Black Down which were intended to replicate the lighting patterns for the centre of Bristol, 25km to the north west, and its main railway depots. The surviving decoys themselves are indicated by slight earthwork remains many of which contain remains of cabling. The site was known collectively as C82. Scheduled. (3)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : M.Aston, B. Murless
Page(s) : 140-1
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 121, 1977

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : V. Russett
Page(s) : 157
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 130, 1986

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : Scheduled 08-SEP-2003
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Constructed 1941-1942
Monument End Date : 1942
Monument Start Date : 1941
Monument Type : Anti Aircraft Defence Site, Anti Landing Obstacle, Bombing Decoy Site, Air Raid Shelter, Bombing Decoy, Control Room, Starfish Site
Evidence : Extant Building, Earthwork, Sub Surface Deposit

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 33064
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 56
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Defence of Britain SMR Reference
External Cross Reference Number : Som 12572
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 45 NE 73
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Historic England Research Records

Civil Bombing Decoy Site C82