Naval Bombing Decoy N12/VI2
A Second World War bombing decoy located at Harty Ferry. It was built as part of the 'N-series' of naval decoys to deflect enemy bombing from Chatham Dockyard. This was a 'QF' decoy, which consisted of a series of controlled fires lit during an air raid to replicate a target struck by bombs. It is referenced as being in use between August 1941 and March 1942, but could have been active throughout the rest of the war. Aerial photos from 1978 show that no features of the decoy survive.
http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1459696Naval Bombing Decoy N12/SH1
The Second World War Naval Bombing Decoy N12/SH1A at Cleve Marshes, Graveney, was commissioned in March 1941 as a QL' decoy for Sheerness dockyard. It was redesignated as a 'Starfish' (SF(Special Fire)) decoy in October 1941.
'Starfish' decoys operated by setting alight a series of controlled fires during an air raid to replicate a military or urban area targeted by bombs. 'QL' decoys comprised a grid of muted lights set out, often around ponds or tanks of water to resemble a dockyard during a blackout. The site is referenced as being in use between 1941 and 1942 and was released from requisition in June 1945. In 2009 the semi-sunken operation post and generator room was archaeologically recorded prior to its demolition in advance of the construction of an onshore substation for the London Array windfarm.
http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1459700Documentary records held by the National Archives indicate that Cleve Marsh was selected by the Royal Navy in March 1941 as the location for a 'Starfish' decoy site, designed to divert enemy bombers from attacking the Royal Navy Dockyard at Sheerness, by use of controlled fires and lighting effects designed to simulate the target site at night. This decoy apparatus was operated during air raids from the semi-sunken operation post, which also accommodated the 10 KW Petter generator used to produce current for the lighting effect units and the ignition circuits. The operation post was built during the spring/summer of 1941 and remained operational until the entire site was decommissioned in June 1945.From Pre-construct Archaelogy Ltd, 2009.