More information : A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Hale (SJ 454 833). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Liverpool. 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 Liverpool. This is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. The 'QL' decoy simulated factory lighting to replicate the factories in 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), 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), Burton Marsh (SJ 286 749) and Gayton (SJ 269 796).
Further 'Starfish' bombing decoy sites for Liverpool were located at Formby, Ince, Brimstage, Wallasey (exact position not traced), Little Crosby, Heswall, Moreton, Llandegla, Llanasa, Fenn's Moss, Little Hilber, Burton Marsh and Gayton. (1)
Aerial photography shows that by 1975 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. (2)
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. (3) |