Monument record 4226 - Bombing Decoy Site at Burton Marsh

<1> C Dobinson, 2000, Fields of Deception - Britain's Bombing Decoys of World War II, p.86, p.132-176, p.261 & p.278 (Book). SCH4465.

Combined SF and QL site at Burton Marsh for the Liverpool civillian area. QL sites were built to replicate urban areas using lights to simulate common features such as the lights permitted in marshalling yards, vehicle lamps, the glows from furnaces and lighting from a poorly applied blackout. This was combined with the SF (or Starfish) site, which sought to simulate the different types of fire created by bombing. Some sites would go as far as to simulate the flashes from AA guns using lights, and flak, using rockets. The lighting and the fires would be controlled from a small control shelter. 'Starfish' sites for Liverpool were commissioned in December 1940. The first civil decoys for Liverpool were in place by the summer of 1941. The bombing decoys for Liverpool had limited success, possibly because the decoys were positioned too far out from their intended targets.

<2> The GeoInformation Group, 2005, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review (Aerial Photograph). SCH4608.

<3> Various, Aerial photographs, RAF S765 5054, 14/02/1942 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 22/06/2017 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Aerial photographs (see 2 & 3) show an irregular pattern of blocks and linear features. These are possible cropmarks, but may also be fire breaks associated with the SF site. Some may be the remains of pools which would have reflected the fires and lights of the QL and SF sites in simulation of Liverpool and Birkenhead’s extensive docks. The earlier photograph (see 3) shows a small group of similar features to the south, adjacent to Burton Marsh Farm. Also the control shelter, adjacent to the coastal track’s junction with the lane to Decca Cottage, which survives. To the immediate west of the control shelter is a causeway which extends beyond the decoy c.1km into the estuary. The relationship between this feature and the decoy is uncertain.

<5> C S Dobinson, 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England. Volume III Bombing decoys of WWII : England's passive air defences, 1939-45, p.126, p.133, p.149 & p.160 (Report). SCH8257.

A Second World War Permanent Starfish bombing decoy. It was constructed to deflect enemy bombing from Liverpool. It is referenced as being in use between 01/03/1942 and 08/04/1943. It was also the site of a 'QL' decoy, which was built as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys for Liverpool to protect Garston docks. This is referenced as being in use between 02/10/1942 and 01/05/1943. The 'QL' decoy displayed lighting to simulate the marshalling yard and factories associated with the docks.