-
Starfish Bombing Decoy (SF Series): DoB ID: e19081
This was the control bunker for the 'QL' bombing decoy site on Farlington Marshes. It operated with a separate 'Starfish' site whose control building was on the east side of the marsh; both overlooked the waters of Langstone Harbour. Together they formed part of a network of decoy sites that protected the city of Portsmouth, and Portsmouth Harbour. The sites were controlled by a Master control centre at Fort Purbrook, a Palmerston Fort on Portsdown Hill that had a commanding view of the decoys at Farlington Marshes, Langstone Harbour, and Hayling Island.
The most successful 'Starfish' decoy operation in Britain of the entire war took place here on the night of 17/18 April 1941, when over 144 enemy aircraft were lured away from the city of Portsmouth to drop their bombs harmlessly into Langstone Harbour and Farlington Marshes. However, of the 576 bombs calculated to have been dropped, around 200 of them fell on land where some casualties occurred. Six of them were gunners of the HAA battery at Sinah Common on Hayling Island, when the 'Starfish' decoy there succeeded early on in attracting the bulk of the attacking force. [
Link]
SU6704 : WWII Hampshire - 'QL' civil bombing decoy control bunker, Farlington Marshes (2)