Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Civil Bombing Decoy C2b
Hob Uid: 1467977
Location : Redcar and Cleveland Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : NZ5590023600
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Bran Sands. It was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from ironworks in Middlesbrough. This site functioned as both a 'QL' and 'QF' 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 resemble active marshalling yards and furnace glows, which would be associated with an ironworks. The site is referenced as being in use between 1941 and 1943, but could have been in operation for longer. Aerial photography shows that by the mid 1970s the site had been developed for industrial use and no features of the decoy survive.
More information : A Second World War 'QL' and 'QF' bombing decoy located at Bran Sands (NZ 559 236). It was constructed as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from ironworks in Middlesbrough. The 'QL' decoy displayed lights to simulate marshalling yards and furnace glows associated with ironworks. It is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. Further civil bombing decoy sites for Middlesbrough were located at Grangetown (NZ 572 218), Seal Sands (NZ 513 246), Greenabella (NZ 514 261), Cowpen Bewley (NZ 494 241), Newton Bewley (NZ 475 260), Wolviston (NZ 437 263), Elton (NZ 394 180), Middleton (NZ 481 114) and Kirkleatham (NZ 616 193). (1) Aerial photography shows that by 1976 the site had been developed for industrial use and no features of the decoy survive. (2) NGR concords with that given in source 1. The 'C-series' decoys for Middlesbrough were developed in 1941. (3)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 125,132
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 56
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 276
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Built by 1941
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1941
Monument Type : Bombing Decoy
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 52 SE 85
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 2008-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Civil Bombing Decoy C2b