Monument record MDO28948 - Second World War bombing decoy site, Slepe Moor, Arne

The remains of a Second World War bombing decoy site are visible as group of rectilinear structures on aerial photographs of Slepe Moor taken in 1947. This was a QF type decoy (N16/HH1) and was built as part of the N-series of naval decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the Royal Naval Cordite factiry at Holton Heath (NMR Mon UID 1408736).

A Second World War 'QF' bombing decoy located at Arne (SY 963 868). It was constructed as part of the 'N-series' of naval decoys to deflect enemy bombing from Holton Heath. It is referenced as being in use on 12-MAR-1942. A further naval bombing decoy for Holton Heath was located at Gore Heath (SY 922 914). <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. <3>

Site of a 'QF' bombing decoy at Arne. It was designed to protect the Royal Navy Cordite Factory at Holton Heath. The site occupies a flat area, the southern part of which has been destroyed by agricultural improvement, the northern part appearing to contain features relating to salterns. The surviving earthworks do not conform to a typical form of bombing decoy, and have not been recommended for scheduling. Ground photos with archive report. <4>

The remains of a Second World War bombing decoy site are visible as group of rectilinear structures on aerial photographs of Slepe Moor taken in 1947 <5>. This was a QF type decoy (N16/HH1) and was built as part of the N-series of naval decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the Royal Naval Cordite factiry at Holton Heath (NMR Mon UID 1408736). These features were digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset). The site is not visible on the most recent comprehensive imagery available to the project <6>, the area now having been given over to agricultural use.

<1> Dobinson, C S, 1996, Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 1. Anti-aircraft artillery: England's air defence gunsites, 1914-46, 116, 119 (Monograph). SDO11874.

<2> Anderton, M J, 1999, Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two bombing decoy sites, 101 (Monograph). SDO18055.

<3> Dobinson, C S, 2000, Fields of deception: Britain's bombing decoys of World War II, 271 (Monograph). SDO18056.

<4> English Heritage, English Heritage Alternative Action Report, 11-Jan-2000 (Scheduling record). SDO18279.

<5> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 F36 1019-20 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12755.

<6> Google Earth, 2013, Google Earth 2013 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12686.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1408736 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 20 2023 4:19PM