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Monument record TR 15 SE 280 - Starfish Bombing Decoy Sf61a in a field near Bridge

Summary

In May 1942 a Temporary Civil Starfish Bombing decoy (TSF6) was assembled in a field near Bridge. This probably comprised an irregular group of blazing baskets designed to mimic unguarded lighting in a built-up areas and thus draw fire away from Canterbury. Dobson states this was the only Temporary Civil Starfish to see action during the 'Baedeker' campaign, effecting a partial deflection of the raids during June 1942. The decoy was built in response to the Baedeker Raids as a 'Temporary Starfish' site to deflect enemy bombing from Canterbury. 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 1970 shows that the site had been given over to agricultural use and no survivng features of the decoy is visible. A further 'Temporary Starfish' site for Canterbury was located at Hacklington.

Location

Grid reference	TR 1660 5440 (point)
Map sheet	TR15SE
County	KENT
District	CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish	BRIDGE, CANTERBURY, KENT

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Type and Period (2)

Full Description

In May 1942 a Temporary Civil Starfish Bombing decoy (TSF6) was assembled in a field near Bridge. This probably comprised an irregular group of blazing baskets designed to mimic unguarded lighting in a built-up areas and thus draw fire away from Canterbury.
Owner : Private
Publicly accessible : Unknown
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : Destroyed
Date of visit :

A Second World War 'Temporary Starfish' bombing decoy located at Bridge (TR 166 544). It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Canterbury. It is referenced as being in use on 12-MAY-1942. A further 'Temporary Starfish' site for Canterbury was located at Hacklington (TR 146 625). (1)

Aerial photography shows that by 1970 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' sites for Canterbury were implemented in 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.

<3> Dobinson C., 01/01/00, Fields of Deception: Britain’s Bombing Decoys of World War II (Bibliographic reference). Ske15274.

Sources/Archives (4)

<1> SKE58701 Monograph: C S Dobinson. Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 3. Bombing decoys of WWII : England's passive air defences, 1939-45.
<2> SKE14468 Unpublished document: M J Anderton. 01/01/99. Twentieth Century Military Recording Project, WWII Bombing Decoy Sites.
<3> SKE15274 Bibliographic reference: Dobinson C.. 01/01/00. Fields of Deception: Britain’s Bombing Decoys of World War II.
<3> SKE15274 Bibliographic reference: Dobinson C.. 01/01/00. Fields of Deception: Britain’s Bombing Decoys of World War II.