Naval Coast Bombing Decoy 651 |
Hob Uid: 1470220 | |
Location : East Sussex Rother Icklesham
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Grid Ref : TQ9170018300 |
Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy site at Camber Castle. It was built as a 'Temporary Starfish' site in response to the Baedeker Raids to deflect enemy bombing from the town and harbour of Rye. The 'Starfish' decoy operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an urban area targeted by bombs. In May 1943 a 'QL' decoy was overlaid at the site as part of the Naval Coast decoys for Dover Command to protect a system of coastal loading and landing points known as 'hards'. This 'QL' decoy displayed simulated lighting to reconstruct the 'hards' and their associated buildings. The 'QL' decoy was commissioned as part of Operation Fortitude South in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. Aerial photography from 1982 shows the base of a control building located at TQ 913 186, with parts of the blast wall surviving. The control building would have housed an operations room and provided the decoy crew with shelter. Further bombing decoy sites for Dover Command were located at Worth and Sandwich Flats. |
More information : A Second World War 'Temporary Starfish' bombing decoy located at Camber Castle (TQ 917 183). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Rye. It is referenced as being in use on 01-MAY-1943. It was also the site of a 'QL' decoy as part of the Naval Coast decoys for Dover Command to protect naval installations. This is referenced on 20-FEB-1942. Further bombing decoy sites for Dover Command were located at Worth (TR 369 563) and Sandwich Flats (TR 352 608). (1)
Aerial photography from 1982 shows the base of a control building located at TQ 913 186, with parts of the blast wall surviving. (2)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. In response to the Luftwaffe's Baedeker Raids a series of 'Temporary Starfish' decoys were implemented throughout the country at possible target locations. The Naval Coast decoys were built to deflect enemy bombing from a system of concrete loading points known as 'hards'. The decoys were commissioned as part of Operation Fortitude South in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. They were 'QL' decoys, which were designed to simulate the sparse lighting and small cluster of buildings found at the landing craft 'hards'. The Naval Coast 'QL' decoys were constructed between April and May 1943 with the basic features of a 'QL', essentially the shelter and the fittings for the lights. The electrical equipment were to be fitted at a later date nearer to the invasion. This led the Naval Coast decoys to become known as Mobile 'QLs' (or 'MQLs'). The 'MQL' decoy at Camber Castle was overlaid at an existing 'Starfish' site for Rye. (3)
The decoy referred to above (Source 1-3) was not visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 and viewed as part of the South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey NMP. However, the Stanton shelter and remains of the control room were visible to the north of the Castle at TQ 91834 18809 and have been mapped. No features or buildings were visible at TQ 913 186, as described in Source 2. (1) |