More information : A Second World War bombing decoy site is visible as a series of demolished structures on air photographs, centred at SJ 4736 7658. No surface features are visible on the latest 1992 Ordnance Survey vertical photography. (1)
A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Ince (SJ 472 767). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Liverpool. It is referenced as being in use between 01-MAR-1942 and 08-APR-1943. It was also the site of a 'QF' decoy, which was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys for Liverpool.
Further civil bombing decoy sites for Liverpool were located at Formby (SD 284 048), Little Crosby (SD 307 017), Lydiate (SD 347 038), Knowsley (SJ 421 955), Halewood (SJ 461 866), Hale (SJ 454 833), Brimstage (SJ 297 833), Moreton (SJ 247 909), Hoylake (SJ 229 882), Heswall (SJ 245 820), Little Hilber (SJ 189 872), Burton Marsh (SJ 286 749) and Gayton (SJ 269 796).
Further 'Starfish' bombing decoy sites for Liverpool were located at Formby, Hale, Brimstage, Wallasey (exact position not traced), Little Crosby, Heswall, Moreton, Llandegla, Llanasa, Fenn's Moss, Little Hilber, Burton Marsh and Gayton. (2)
The Starfish site was originally located at SJ 477 761. (3)
NGR concords with that given in source 2. 'Starfish' sites for Liverpool were commissioned in December 1940. The first civil decoys for Liverpool were in place by the summer of 1941. The bombing decoys for Liverpool had limited success, possibly because the decoys were positioned too far out from their intended targets. (4) |