More information : A Second World War 'QL' bombing decoy located at Knowsley (SJ 421 955). It was constructed as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys for Liverpool to deflect enemy bombing from Edge Hill marshalling yards. It is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. The 'QL' decoy displayed marshalling yard lighting and loco glows to simulate Edge Hill yards.
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), Burton Marsh (SJ 286 749) and Gayton (SJ 269 796). (1)
Aerial photography shows that by 1982 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 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) |