Monument record MDO47271 - Second World War Civil Bombing Decoy C94b, Piddletrenthide

A Second World War bombing decoy site built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the Dorset coast. This was a 'Strategic QL' decoy, which displayed a series of muted lights to simulate an urban area during a poor blackout. This decoy differed from previous 'QL' decoys by being designed to replicate a general urban area, rather than a specific city. This allowed the decoy to pass for any town or city on the Dorset coast. The site is referenced as being operational during 1943. Aerial photography shows that the site had been dismantled and given over to agricultural use by 1947, and that no features of the decoy survive.

A Second World War 'QL(S)' bombing decoy located at Dorchester (SY 697 978). It was constructed as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the Dorset Coast. It is referenced as being in use on 01-MAY-1943. A further bombing decoy site for the Dorset coast was located at Dawlish, although the exact location has not been traced. <1>

Aerial photography shows that by 1953 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 Strategic decoys were designed to replicate a general urban area, rather than a specific town or city. This allowed the decoys to pass for any urban centres in the region. <3>

<1> Dobinson, C S, 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England: Volume III, Bombing Decoys of WWII, 131, 139 (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, 134, 286 (Monograph). SDO18056.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1469546 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 27 2023 2:44PM