Starfish Bombing Decoy Sf35b |
| Hob Uid: 1469060 | |
Location :
Lancashire
Rossendale
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : SD7960027900 |
| Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Accrington. 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 had been incorporated into the site as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys. 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 would have displayed lighting to simulate an industrial or urban target. The site is referenced as being in use up until 1943. Aerial photography from 1946 shows that the site had been dismantled and given over to agricultural use and that no features of the decoy survive. Further 'Starfish' and civil bombing decoy sites for Accrington were located at Haslingden, Burnley, Worsthorne and Hameldon Hill. |
More information : A Second World War 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoy located at Accrington (SD 796 279). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from the rown of Accrington. It is referenced as being in use between 01-AUG-1941 and 24-MAR-1942. It was also the site of a 'C-series' civil decoy for Accrington. This is referenced as being in use on 01-MAY-1943.
Accrington were located at Haslingden (SD 763 238), Burnley (SD 845 288), Worsthorne (SD 891 325) and Hameldon Hill (SD 809 287). (1)
Aerial photography shows that by 1946 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. The 'Starfish' sites for Accrington were built in April 1941. The 'C-series' decoys for Accrington were implemented by the end of 1941. Accrington was the site of a 'QL' civil decoy. (3) |