Bombing decoy
A site where physical features or stage effects were designed to deceive a bombing aircraft's crew away from an intended target. Various types were developed to simulate harbour and shipbuilding works, railway areas and towns by staged effects, though large fires or exposed lights in the blackout, (see World War II), could also be used.
Decoys were used around the northeast to draw bombers away from the industrial and heavily populated areas of Teeside, Tyneside and Wearside especially. These sites would contain the effects, with blockhouses for the protection and operation of the staff. Some sites remain as structures and earthworks - others as earthworks alone.
sometimes called 'Starfish' or 'Q sites'.
To explore more glossary entries click on a letter.