Information for record number MWA8008:
Pillerton Priors decoy for RAF Wellesbourne Mountford

Summary The site of Pillerton Priors bombing decoy, a system of lights, fires or dummy objects. The decoy was used to prevent German bomber planes from dropping their bombs on the airfield at Wellesbourne. The decoy was situated to the south east of Pillerton Hersey.
What Is It?  
Type: Bombing Decoy
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Pillerton Priors
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 30 48
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 At Flaxland Farm, Pillerton Priors, in a big field known as Coverwell, the RAF installed a dummy runway with landing lights and it was manned every night by RAF personnel. The control bunker was built along the bridle road to Oxhill.
2 There is local knowledge of a bunker or air raid shelter (WA 8009) on the north side of the lane at SP3048 but this was demolished many years ago. Ploughing sometimes brings up old underground wires that were probably part of the decoy site. Coverwell field not identified but Flaxland Farmhouse was in the village.
3 Pillerton Priors Type Q site at SP 3048, for RAF Wellesbourne Mountford.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: 22 O T U
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: C20 Fortifications in Britain
Author/originator: Dobson, C
Date: 1996
Page Number: 96
Volume/Sheet: III
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Unpublished document
Author/originator: Brace, J
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
monument Q SITE * A decoy site designed to simulate the flarepath lighting of permanent RAF stations, to lure attacking night bombers away from legitimate targets. back
monument BOMBING DECOY * A system of lights, controlled fires or dummy constructions, used during WWII to provide a counterfeit target for enemy aircraft. back
monument VILLAGE * A collection of dwelling-houses and other buildings, usually larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a simpler organisation and administration than the latter. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument RUNWAY * A hard level roadway or other surface from which aircraft take off and land. back
monument FARMHOUSE * The main dwelling-house of a farm, it can be either detached from or attached to the working buildings. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument FORTIFICATION * A usually permanent defensive work. Use specific type where known. back
monument BUNKER * A structure, often built undergound, used for defence and co-ordination of military activity. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument AIR RAID SHELTER * A fortified structure used to protect civilians and military personnel from enemy bombing. back
monument AIRFIELD * An area or site used for the landing and take-off of aircraft, often including associated buildings, equipment and other installations. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record