Airfield Bombing Decoy Q52a |
| Hob Uid: 1465098 | |
Location :
West Sussex
Chichester
West Wittering
|
| Grid Ref : SZ7700098300 |
| Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy at West Wittering built to deflect enemy bombing from Royal Air Force Thorney Island airfield. This served as both a 'K-type' day decoy and a 'Q-type' night decoy. The 'K-type' decoy consisted of a replica airfield equipped with dummy Blenheim aircraft. It was operational from early 1940 and became one of the most successful bombing decoys. It ceased operating on 11th June 1942, almost a year after the majority of 'K-type' decoys had closed. The 'Q-type' decoy displayed a sequence of lights at night to simulate an active airfield. By the 1980s the West Wittering site had become part of a coastal area and resort. |
More information : A Second World War 'Q-type' and 'K-type' bombing decoy located at West Wittering (SZ 770 983). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from RAF Thorney Island. The 'Q-type' night decoy is referenced as being active between 19-JUN-1940 and 18-JUN-1942, and the 'K-type' day decoy is referenced as being in use from 13-MAR-1940 until its closure on 11-JUN-1942. (1)
Aerial photography shows that by 1981 the site had become part of a coastal area and holiday resort and no features of the decoy survive. (2)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. The 'K-type' day decoy at West Wittering was equipped with dummy Blenheim aircraft and was one of the most successfully bombed decoys. For this reason it closed on 11-JUN-1942, almost a full year after the majority of other 'K-type' sites had shut down. (3)
Aerial photograph showing the decoy site as part of a coastal area and resort. (4)
Small features still visible in one area where gravel had been laid and outlined with sandbags filled with cement. (5) |