Information for record number MWA9673:
Leamington Hastings Bombing Decoy

Summary The site of Leamington Hastings bombing decoy; a system of lights and fires from the Second World War designed to confuse the enemy into dropping bombs on the decoy and not on the Armstrong Whitworth factory at Baginton. Evidence is from historical documentation.
What Is It?  
Type: Bombing Decoy
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Leamington Hastings
District: Rugby, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 45 68
(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 Decoy site 226, type QF, which meant it was a night decoy set up to create mock fires. There is no evidence on aerial photos of the 1940s to support this grid reference from a bibliographic listing, so the exact area is unknown.
3 A Second World War bombing decoy site at Leamington Hastings. It was built to deflect enemy bombing from the Armstrong Whitworth aircraft factory in Baginton and from the city of Coventry. A 'K-type' day decoy for the Armstrong Whitworth aircraft works was built in 1940 as part of the 'M-series' of industrial decoys. It consisted of a full-scale replica of the factory, complete with aerial tower, dummy aircraft and derelict vehicles. A 'QF' night decoy was later incorporated to supplement the day decoy. It featured a series of controlled fires lit during an air raid to replicate a target struck by bombs. The 'K-type' decoy closed in mid 1942. The site later included a 'QL' decoy for the city of Coventry as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys. The 'QL' decoy consisted of a grid of muted lights set out to resemble the factories of east Coventry. This decoy is known to have continued use until at least May 1943. From 1941 the site also operated a 'Permanent Starfish' decoy to protect Coventry. This was a larger-scale 'QF' fire decoy, designed to simulate an urban area targeted by bombs. It is unknown when it ceased operation, but was still active in 1943. Aerial photography from 1946 shows that the site had been dismantled and given over to agricultural use. No features of the decoys survive. Further 'Permanent Starfish' bombing decoys for Coventry were located at Hunningham and Bretford. Further 'C-series' decoys for Coventry were located at Eathorpe, Hunningham, Bubbenhall, Astley, Meriden, and Bretford.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Twentieth Century Fortifications in England
Author/originator: Dobinson, C S
Date: 1996
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: III
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Premises, Sites etc. within 30 miles of Harrington Museum used for Military Purposes.
Author/originator: John Brace
Date: Before 2017.
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Aerial Photograph Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical. 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 CIVIL * This is the top term for the class. See CIVIL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FORTIFICATION * A usually permanent defensive work. Use specific type where known. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. back
monument AIRCRAFT * An aircraft, either whole or in part. Aircraft often survive as commemorative monuments, gate guardians or crash sites. back
monument BOMBING DECOY SITE * A site comprising a system of lights, controlled fires or dummy constructions, used during WWII to provide a counterfeit target for enemy aircraft. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FACTORY * A building or complex, housing powered machinery and employing a large workforce for manufacturing purposes. Use specific monument type where known. back
monument AIRCRAFT FACTORY * A factory where aircraft are assembled. back
monument TARGET * Any structure or object, used for the purpose of practice shooting by aerial, seaborne or land mounted weapons. back
monument WORKS * Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record