Starfish Bombing Decoy (WW2), Meltham

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This page is a bare-bones entry for a specific location marked on an old map. More detailed information may eventually be added...

Details

  • location: Round Hill, Meltham
  • status: no longer exists
  • category: wartime structure

The site of a Second World War "Starfish" decoy site.

Extracts

Historic England Heritage Gateway:

A Second World War bombing decoy site at Meltham Moor. It was built in 1941 as a 'Permanent Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from the city of Leeds. By 1942 a 'QL' decoy was incorporated into the site as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to protect Huddersfield's central railway station. The 'Starfish' decoy operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an urban area targeted by bombs. The 'QL' decoy displayed lights to simulate the marshalling yards at Huddersfield station. The site is referenced as being operational until 1943, but could have been in use up until July 1944. Aerial photography from 1971 shows the imprint of the shelter base and evidence of a trench, which was possibly part of the 'Starfish' decoy. Meltham Moor was one of twelve 'Starfish' sites for Leeds, and one of nine civil bombing decoys.

It is referenced as being in use between 01-AUG-1941 and 08-APR-1943. It was also the site of a 'QL' decoy, which was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys for Leeds to protect Huddersfield central station. This is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. The 'QL' decoy displayed lights to simulate a marshalling yard.

Aerial photography from 1971 shows evidence of a trench at the decoy site, and the imprint of the base of a shelter.

Location

The general location (SE 095 083) is shown below:

Links