Monument record MDO47389 - Naval Bombing Decoy N15/pt2 Qf Site, Wyke Oliver Farm, Weymouth

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.

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>

<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, 205, 271 (Monograph). SDO18056.

<4> Anon, English Heritage staff comments, 17-JAN-2015 (Verbal communication). SDO20299.

<4.1> Meridian Air Maps Ltd, 01-FEB-1968, MAL/68004/097 (Aerial Photograph). SDO20298.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1459727 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 15 2023 4:58PM