Monument record MDO47389 - Naval Bombing Decoy N15/pt2 Qf Site, Wyke Oliver Farm, Weymouth
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Summary
A Second World War SF bombing decoy located at Littlemore. It was built as part of the 'N-series' of naval decoys to deflect enemy bombing from Portland Harbour's Royal Navy base. This was a 'Starfish' decoy, which operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an area targeted by bombs. The site is first referenced as being in use during 1942 and was decommissioned in 1944. Aerial photography from 1968 shows that the site was given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. Further naval bombing decoys for Portland were located at Fleet, Speed Beacon and Wyke Oliver.
Map
Type and Period (3)
Full Description
A Second World War 'Starfish' bombing decoy located at Littlemore (SY 682 823). It was constructed as part of the 'N-series' of naval decoys to deflect enemy bombing from Portland. It is referenced as being in use on 12-MAR-1942. Further naval bombing decoys for Portland were located at Speed Beacon (SY 637 791), Fleet (SY 637 791) and Wyke Oliver (SY 682 823). <1>
Aerial photography shows that by 1968 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 Portland naval decoys were decommissioned in 1944. <3>
Aerial photograph referenced in source 2 showing agricultural use of site. Bunker located approximately at SY 6787 82779, it may be associated with the SF (starfrish) decoy site or the QF site which was also in this location. <4>
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SDO14087 Monograph: Dobinson, C S. 1996. Twentieth Century Fortifications in England: Volume III, Bombing Decoys of WWII. 116, 119.
- <2> SDO18055 Monograph: Anderton, M J. 1999. Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two bombing decoy sites. 101.
- <3> SDO18056 Monograph: Dobinson, C S. 2000. Fields of deception: Britain's bombing decoys of World War II. 205, 271.
- <4> SDO20299 Verbal communication: Anon. English Heritage staff comments. 17-JAN-2015.
- <4.1> SDO20298 Aerial Photograph: Meridian Air Maps Ltd. 01-FEB-1968. MAL/68004/097.
- <5>XY SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 1459727. [Mapped feature: #637169 ]
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Location
Grid reference | SY 682 823 (point) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SY68SE |
Civil Parish | Fleet; Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 68 SE 80
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 1459727
Record last edited
Nov 15 2023 4:58PM