Monument record MDO47249 - Naval Bombing Decoy N16/hh2, Gore Heath, Wareham St Martin

A Second World War bombing decoy site located at Gore Heath. It was built as part of the 'N-series' of naval decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the Royal Navy Cordite Factory at Holton Heath. This was a 'QF' decoy, which consisted of a series of controlled fires lit during an air raid to replicate a target struck by bombs. It is referenced as being in use during 1942, but could have been operational throughout the duration of the war. Aerial photography from 1972 shows that the site consists of woodland and heathland and that no features of the decoy survive. A further bombing decoy for Arne was located at Holton Heath.

A Second World War 'QF' bombing decoy located at Gore Heath (SY 992 914). 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 18-JUN-1942. A further naval bombing decoy for Holton Heath was located at Arne (SY 963 868). <1>

Aerial photography from 1972 shows that the site consists of woodland and heathland and that no features of the decoy survive. <2>

NGR concords with that given in source 1. <3>

<1> Dobinson, C S, 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England: Volume III, Bombing Decoys of WWII, 116, 119 (Monograph). SDO14087.

<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> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1459731 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 16 2023 3:59PM