Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Civil Bombing Decoy C2e
Hob Uid: 1414276
Location : Stockton-on-Tees Billingham
Grid Ref : NZ4940024100
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Cowpen Bewley. It was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the Imperial Chemical Industries plant at Billingham. The site functioned as both a 'QF' and 'QL' decoy. The 'QF' decoy consisted of a series of controlled fires lit during an air raid to replicate a target struck by bombs. The 'QL' decoy displayed a series of lights to simulate marshalling yards and factory lighting, which would be associated with an active chemical plant. The site is referenced as being in use during 1942 and 1943, but could have been in operation for longer. By the mid 1970s the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. Further civil bombing decoy sites for Middlesbrough were located at Grangetown, Bran Sands, Greenabella, Grangetown, Newton Bewley, Wolviston, Elton, Middleton and Kirkleatham.
More information : BOMBING DECOY SITE. SRF. Cowpen Marsh. QL / QF. Control Bunker. Saltholme. Recorder- A. Rudd. (1) A Second World War 'QL' and 'QF' bombing decoy located at Cowpen Bewley (NZ 494 241). It was constructed as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the ICI plant in Middlesbrough. It is referenced as being in use between 01-JUN-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. Further civil bombing decoy sites for Middlesbrough were located at Bran Sands (NZ 559 236), Seal Sands (NZ 513 246), Greenabella (NZ 514 261), Grangetown (NZ 572 218), Newton Bewley (NZ 475 260), Wolviston (NZ 437 263), Elton (NZ 394 180), Middleton (NZ 481 114) and Kirkleatham (NZ 616 193). (2) Aerial photography shows that by 1976 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. (4)

Sources :

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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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Built by 1942
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1939
Monument Type : 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 : 3700
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 3702
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 42 SE 111
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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

Civil Bombing Decoy C2e