Starfish Bombing Decoy Sf35c |
Hob Uid: 1469064 | |
Location : Lancashire Burnley Habergham Eaves
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Grid Ref : SD8450028800 |
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Burnley. It was built in April 1941 as a 'Permanent Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from the town of Accrington. By the end of 1941 a 'QL' decoy was incorporated into the site as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to protect Rose Crane marshalling yards. 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 simulated the railway marshalling yard lights, locomotive glows and furnace glows associated with Rose Crane. The site is referenced as being in use until 1943. Aerial photography from 1964 shows the only surviving features of the decoy to be a curvilinear track located at SD 849 282 and a rectilinear feature located at SD 844 287. Further 'Starfish' and civil bombing decoys for Accrington were located at Haslingden, Accrington, Worsthorne and Hameldon Hill. |
More information : A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Burnley (SD 845 288). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Accrington. It is referenced as being in use between 01-AUG-1941 and 08-APR-1943. It was also the site of a 'QL' decoy, which was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys for Accrington to protect Rose Crane marshalling yard. This is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. The 'QL' decoy displayed simulated marshalling yard lights, loco glows and furnace glows. Further 'Starfish' and civil bombing decoys sites for Accrington were located at Haslingden (SD 763 238), Accrington (SD 796 279), Worsthorne (SD 891 325) and Hameldon Hill (SD 809 287). (1)
Aerial photography from 1964 shows the only surviving features of the decoy to be a curvilinear track located at SD 849 282 and a rectilinear feature located at SD 844 287. (2)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. The 'Starfish' sites for Accrington were built in April 1941. The 'C-series' decoys for Accrington were implemented by the end of 1941. (3) |