More information : A Second World War bombing decoy site and associated trackway are visible as a series of structures, centred at SJ 2881 7513. This site is probably associated with the bomb craters to the immediate east (UID 1467612) and south (UID 1467968). The trackway element is still extant on the latest 1999 NMR oblique photography. (1)
A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Little Hilber (SJ 286 749). 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 'QL' decoy, which was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys for Liverpool to protect Garston docks. This is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. The 'QL' decoy displayed lighting to simulate the marshalling yard and factories associated with the docks. 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), Ince (SJ 472 767), Brimstage (SJ 297 833), Moreton (SJ 247 909), Hoylake (SJ 229 882), Heswall (SJ 245 820), Little Hilber (SJ 189 872), and Gayton (SJ 269 796). Further 'Starfish' bombing decoy sites for Liverpool were located at Formby, Hale, Ince, Brimstage, Wallasey (exact position not traced), Little Crosby, Heswall, Moreton, Llandegla, Llanasa, Fenn's Moss, Little Hilber, and Gayton. (2)
Aerial photography from 1948 shows a series of 50+ features at the decoy site ranging from the shore to SJ 294 749 (east to west) and SJ 297 744 to SJ 292 755 (north to south). Rectilinear features are also visible in the estuary, one small set at SJ 298 743, and a larger set centred on SJ 294 751. These features all do not appear on 1971 photography. However, a control building is visible at SJ 295 793. (3)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. '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) |