Monument record TQ 64 NW 355 - Starfish Bombing Decoy Sf67a

Summary

A Second World War bombing decoy site at Hammer Dyke. It was built in May 1942 in response to the Baedeker Raids as a 'Temporary Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from Tonbridge. The 'Starfish' decoy operated by lighting a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate an urban area targeted by bombs. Aerial photography from 1988 shows that the site had been given over to agricultural use and no surviving features of the decoy is visible. Hammer Dyke was also the location of a bombing decoy for Royal Air Force West Malling airfield (at TQ 643 469).

Location

Grid reference TQ 6430 4690 (point)
Map sheet TQ64NW
County KENT
District TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT
Civil Parish HADLOW, TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT

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Type and Period (2)

Full Description

A Second World War 'Temporary Starfish' bombing decoy located at Hammer Dyke (TQ 643 469). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Tonbridge. It is referenced as being in use on 12-MAY-1942. (1)

Aerial photography shows that by 1988 the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoy survive. (2)

NGR concords with that given in source 1. In response to the Luftwaffe's Baedeker Raids a series of 'Temporary Starfish' decoys were implemented throughout the country at possible target locations. The 'Temporary Starfish' site for Tonbridge was implemented by the end of May 1942. (3)


<1> C S Dobinson, Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 3. Bombing decoys of WWII : England's passive air defences, 1939-45 (Monograph). SKE58701.

<2> M J Anderton, 01/01/99, Twentieth Century Military Recording Project, WWII Bombing Decoy Sites (Unpublished document). SKE14468.

<3> Dobinson C., 01/01/00, Fields of Deception: Britain’s Bombing Decoys of World War II (Bibliographic reference). SKE15274.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Monograph: C S Dobinson. Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 3. Bombing decoys of WWII : England's passive air defences, 1939-45.
  • <2> Unpublished document: M J Anderton. 01/01/99. Twentieth Century Military Recording Project, WWII Bombing Decoy Sites.
  • <3> Bibliographic reference: Dobinson C.. 01/01/00. Fields of Deception: Britain’s Bombing Decoys of World War II.

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Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

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Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Landscapes of War national recording project (Kent) (EKE20813)

Record last edited

Dec 10 2025 2:53PM