York Historic Environment Record

NMR Information:

A Second World War 'QL' bombing decoy located at Upper Poppleton (SE 545 548). It operated as part of the 'C-series' of civil decoys to deflect enemy bombing from the railway sidings in York. It is referenced as being in use between 02-OCT-1942 and 01-MAY-1943. The 'QL' decoy displayed simulated marshalling yard lights. (1) Aerial photography shows that by 1972 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. The Upper Poppleton site was part of the 'A-series' of army decoys to protect the railway marshalling yard in York. (3)

(1)Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 3. Bombing decoys of WWII : England's passive air defences, 1939-45, pgs. 130,137,163. C S Dobinson
(2) Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two bombing decoy sites. Pg. 61. Michael J. Anderton
(3) Fields of deception: Britain's bombing decoys of World War II. Pgs. 126,275. Colin Dobinson.

Related event: Landscapes of War Recording Project (NMR UID: 1463376). This project took place 2008-2009 Managed by John Schofield (EH), Robin Page (EH) and Rob Perrin (Wessex Archaeology). Part of the English contribution to an EU Culture 2000 multiannular project 'Landscapes of War'. The aim was to record and disseminate information on heritage of 20th century conflicts on land and sea.

Location not exactly known.