Information for record number MWA9675:
Halford Permanent Starfish site

Summary The site of a fire based bombing decoy site from the Second World War known as a Starfish site. Night time fires were created to confuse enemy aircraft and draw them away from their real target. Documentary evidence gives this grid reference 2 km to the east of Halford.
What Is It?  
Type: Bombing Decoy
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Halford
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 45
(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 A Starfish site (from Special Fire sites). Fire based decoys like this one were set up following the bombing of Coventry in November 1940 to protect urban sites. A variey of effects were devised to simulate fires and blazes such as those from incendiary bombs.
2 There is no evidence visible on an aerial photo from 1948 at the given grid reference.
3 Part of the Starfish decoy sites around Birmingham (SF2g). The site is referenced as being operational between 1942 and 1943, but could have been in use until late 1944. Aerial photography shows that by 1946 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. Halford was one of eight 'Starfish' bombing decoy sites for Birmingham.
4 Partly schematic layout plan of the Strafish site at Halford to Air Ministry Drawing CTD 272A/41. Different types of fire groupings are showing, surrounded by circular firebreaks.
5 A Second World War bombing decoy site at Halford. It was built as a 'Permanent Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from the city of Birmingham. The 'Starfish' decoy operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an urban area targeted by bombs. The site is referenced as being operational between 1942 and 1943, but could have been in use until late 1944. Aerial photography shows that by 1946 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. Halford was one of eight 'Starfish' bombing decoy sites for Birmingham.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Twentieth Century Fortifications in England
Author/originator: Dobinson, C S
Date: 1996
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: III
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: 20th Century Defence in Britain. An introductory guide. Revised edition
Author/originator: editor Bernard Lowry
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Fields of Deception: Britain's Bombing Decoys of the Second World War
Author/originator: Dobinson, C S
Date: 2013
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Desk Top Study
Title: SE Warwickshire and Cotswolds NMP Project
Author/originator: Amanda Dickson
Date: 2010-2012
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: National Monument Record (Pastscape)
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Documentary Evidence Documentary evidence is another name for written records. The first written records in Britain date back to the Roman period. Documentary evidence can take many different forms, including maps, charters, letters and written accounts. When archaeologists are researching a site, they often start by looking at documentary evidence to see if there are clues that will help them understand what they might find. Documentary evidence can help archaeologists understand sites that are discovered during an excavation, field survey or aerial survey. back
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 SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument FIREBREAK * A natural or man-made gap in vegetation or other combustible material that acts as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a fire. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument FORTIFICATION * A usually permanent defensive work. Use specific type where known. back
monument STARFISH SITE * A decoy site designed to simulate a burning urban area during a bombing raid in order to lure enemy bombers away from legitimate targets. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. 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 TARGET * Any structure or object, used for the purpose of practice shooting by aerial, seaborne or land mounted weapons. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record