Information for record number MWA9687:
Mappleborough Bombing Decoy Site

Summary The site of a lighting and fire civil decoy site from the Second World War designed to confuse the enemy aircraft into dropping their bombs in the wrong place. Documentary evidence sites it 800m north of Outhill.
What Is It?  
Type: Bombing Decoy
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Ullenhall
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 10 67
(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 The site of a bombing decoy installation as part of the QL and QF programmes. The lighting decoy was set up to simulate factory lighting and protect the BSA factory at Redditch. A fire decoy operation was located at the same same site; fires were created to counterfeit the effect of incendiary bombs. The documented grid reference is SP107674. Lighting decoys were a cheap and successful way of confusing the enemy; the first such deployment was operational in July 1941. Every site differed so that they were a sort of theatrical lighting show to mimic any local vulnerable point that needed protection. An associated shelter would have been built to house the generator/s and other equipment.
2 There is no evidence of anything at this grid reference in an aerial photo of 1947.
3 The structure just south of this location appears to be the control shelter/generator building for the decoy site (see MWA9166)
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: SP16NW
Author/originator: RAF
Date: 1947
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
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: Verbal communication
Title: Personal Comment
Author/originator: Ben Wallace
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
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 HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument SHELTER * A structure which protects an area of ground from the weather. back
monument FORTIFICATION * A usually permanent defensive work. Use specific type where known. back
monument AIRCRAFT * An aircraft, either whole or in part. Aircraft often survive as commemorative monuments, gate guardians or crash sites. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. 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

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record