Arborfield
Local History Society

 WWII 'Starfish' Sites

The Decoy Airfield that Wasn't - the Startfish Site on Hall Farm

Full 1944 Aerial Photo from Carter's Hill to Winnersh

Close-up Aerial view of Arborfield 'Starfish' site

Note:

'Fields of Deception'
is available
at both
Wokingham
and
Lower Earley
Libraries.

 

Arborfield Hall Farm - a 'Starfish' decoy site

The main Starfish site at Arborfield Hall Farm, 1944There was a WWII decoy site in the grounds of Arborfield Hall known as a ‘Starfish’ ('SF' - standing for 'Special Fire'). These sites were so top-secret that they remained classified for decades after 1945, but a  book written in 2000 tells the whole story about the decoys:

‘Fields of Deception’  by Colin Dobinson (Methuen, 2000. ISBN 0 413 74570 8)

Although the book has an aerial photo of the Arborfield decoy, there's not much more about this individual site, so the Society looked for more detail in the National Archives in Kew. There's no specific mention of Arborfield apart from the date that it was taken out of operation (November 1944). These articles reveal:

The detail of Arborfield's Starfish site shown left was taken from a USAAF aerial photo of Carter's Hill and Winnersh, dated 8th March 1944, ref. 5045, by permission of National Monuments Record, English Heritage. 

How a typical Starfish site would be set up
 

From a 'Report on Decoys' – 23rd January 1941

The Starfish will be constructed in 3 steps.

  • The first step consists of the ‘initial fire’ containing about 10 tons of inflammable material with the necessary steel scaffolding and tanks. 30 tons has to be brought to the site to allow for 2 reserves.

  • The second stage consists of the building up of these fires to 25 ton units. Two 25 [ton] units will be erected on each site with accessories and the inflammable material for a third 25-ton kept in reserve.

  • The third stage is to build up the fires to 50 ton units with 2 reserves as before. As each fire is burnt another reserve is arranged. Building up of existing initial fires is in progress under several special contractors. It will be realised, however, that their speed is governed by the number of times fires are set off. The larger the fire, the more to replace, but only large fires can guarantee success.

[Ref.: AIR 19/499]

Instructions to Controllers concerning 'Minor Starfish' sites

S.67000/FC.34

SECRET

‘STARFISH OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS TO LOCAL CONTROLLERS’

“MINOR” STARFISH

In view of the present enemy tactics [scattered bombing with target indicator flares] it has been decided to provide a small fire consisting of one group of baskets on the undermentioned site(s) which you control, and this fire will be known as the “MINOR” Starfish.

2. The “MINOR” Starfish will be under the control of 80 Wing and the intention is that they will operate it:
        (i) when the line of approach of enemy aircraft is known;
        (ii) when a concentration of enemy aircraft show signs of being broken up or
            dispersed.

3. In this connection, it is most important that the sites should have received a standby warning immediately you receive a “Purple”, or any indication that enemy aircraft are approaching the Area.

4. Attached is a copy of the instructions to operators on the sites, and it is requested that you will pass any information of enemy activity received from the site to 80 Wing with the least possible delay.

5. If 80 Wing order a “MINOR” Starfish on the site the instruction should be passed on in plain language, i.e. Fire MINOR Starfish”.

6. Contact should then be maintained with the site and with 80 Wing. If the site should report an enemy attack on the MINOR, 80 Wing would wish to know about this, and they would then indicate whether the fire was to be extended.

7. In the event of a breakdown of telephone communications between your Headquarters and Starfish Control at 80 Wing, you are authorised to fire the MINOR Starfish, and if the site is attacked, to extend the fire as necessary. Having taken this action, every effort should be made to inform 80 Wing as soon as contact can be re-established.

21st March 1944                                                               E.M.Selby, S.F.
                                                                              for   Wing Commander,
                                                                                     Section 2 (Operations)
                                                                                     Col. Turner’s Department.

[Ref.: AIR 2/4760]

Instructions to Operations staff concerning 'Minor Starfish' sites
 

S.67000

SECRET

INSTRUCTIONS TO OPERATORS ON STARFISH SITES

MINOR STARFISH ON SITE [blank]

A small isolated group of 12 – 16 baskets is being selected on the above site. This group will be known as the MINOR, as distinct from the Short, Medium and full Starfish. The group of baskets forming the MINOR will be No. [blank].;

2. As soon as a standby warning is received by the site personnel, the N.C.O. or L.A.C. i/c of the night party should keep a sharp look-out and report to the Local Controller as soon as any enemy activity commences in the Area. “Enemy activity” means the dropping of flares, incendiary bombs, or H.E.

NOTES:

(i)                  Target indicator flares are the yellowish white flares (Usually 5 or 6 in a group), and which float down slowly from about 5,000 ft. to the ground. The enemy may change the colour of these flares at any time.

(ii)                “The vicinity of the site” means flares directly overhead or flares judged to be within a mile of the site or slightly further away, if drifting toward the site.

(iii)               It is often difficult to distinguish between H.E. bombs and heavy guns. The N.C.O. or L.A.C. i/c must be sure that  it is H.E. that have been dropped.

3. The Local Controller will give the order to operate in plain language, that is “Fire MINOR Starfish” and this may be followed later by an order to fire two further groups of baskets if attack on the site develops. Normally, the two additional groups to be used for this purpose will be Nos. [blank].

4. If Incendiaries or H.E. bombs are dropped on or near the site and communication with Control is broken, the N.C.O. or L.A.C. i/c of the night party is authorised to fire the MINOR Starfish, and  if the site is attacked he may fire the further two groups of baskets. Medium or full Starfish will in NO case be fired without an order from Control, even if communications are broken.

21st March 1944                                                               E.M.Selby, S.F.
                                                                              for   Wing Commander,
                                                                                     Section 2 (Operations)
                                                                                     Col. Turner’s Department.

[Ref.: AIR 2/4760]

List of 'Minor Starfish' sites
 

Appendix A

MINOR STARFISH UNDER CONTROL OF N.C.O.’s

NO.

TARGET

SITE

CONTROL

 

 

 

 

SF 8

LONDON

(b) Farleigh
(c) Rainham Marsh
(d) Lambourne End
(e) Lullingstone

80 Wing
RAF Hornchurch
            “
80 Wing

SF 17

SOUTHAMPTON

(c) Lee
(d) Nutburn
(e) Chilworth
(f) Durley (TSF)

930 Squadron
            “
            “
            “

SF 25

SLOUGH

(b) Stanwell Moor

956 Squadron

SF 44

LUTON

(a) Bendish
(b) Flamstead

Chief Constable,
Luton Borough Police

Appendix B

MINOR STARFISH UNDER CONTROL OF 80 WING

NO.

TARGET

SITE

CONTROL

 

 

 

 

SF 25

SLOUGH

(a) Dorney

956 Squadron

SF 29

READING

(a) Binfield
(b) Arborfield

Chief Constable,
Reading Borough Police

SF 36

COWLEY

(a) Dinton
(b) Sandford

No. 91 (B) Group
            “

SF 41

SWINDON

(a) Liddington
(b) Barbury

15 M.U., Wroughton
            “

SF 38

IPSWICH

(a) Shottisham
(b) Bucklesham

Chief Constable,
Ipswich Borough Police

SF 43

NORWICH

(b) Bramerton

Chief Constable,
Norwich City Police

TSF 58

COLCHESTER

(a) Great Bromley

Chief Constable,
Colchester Borough Police

TSF 64

CHELMSFORD

(a) Little Baddow

Chief Constable,
Essex County Police

TSF 61

CANTERBURY

(a) Bridge
(b) Hackington

960 Squadron
            “

TSF 62

ALDERSHOT AND GUILDFORD

(a) Wanborough

Superintendent,
Hants. County Police

TSF 65

ASHFORD

(a) Brabourne

Civil Defence C’ttee,
Ashford

TSF 66

MAIDSTONE

(b) Broomfield

Kent County Police

TSF 77

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

(a) Frant

Chief Constable,
Tunbridge Wells

TSF 78

RYE

(a) Camber Castle

Sussex County Police

TSF 79

SUSSEX COAST

(a) Alciston

N.O.I.C., Newhaven

SF 17

SOUTHAMPTON

(b) Beaulieuw [sic]
(g) Tottey (TSF)

930 Squadron
            “

TSF 53

SALISBURY

(c) Clearbury Down

RAF Old Sarum

TSF 56

WINCHESTER

(a) Hursley

930 Squadron

TSF 57

BASINGSTOKE

(a) North Waltham

County Police, Basingstoke

TSF 76

CHICHESTER

(a) Colworth

RAF Tangmere

SF 1

BRISTOL

(a) Stockwood
(b) Chew Magna
(c) Downside
(d) Kenn Moor
(e) Cheddar
(f) Yeomouth

927 Squadron
            “
            “
            “
80 Wing
927 Squadron

SF 14

GLOUCESTER

(c) Brimpsfield
(d) Longney

912 Squadron
            “

SF 42

YEOVIL

(a) Chinnock

957 Squadron

TSF 55

BATH

(b) Wellow

Chief Constable,
Bath City Police

TSF 63

TAUNTON

(b) Dipford

Chief Constable, Taunton

TSF 69

PENZANCE

(a) Mousehole

R.N.O., Penzance

TSF 75

EXETER

(a) Ide

Chief Constable,
Exeter City Police

SF 18

SWANSEA

(a) Bishopston
(c) Baglan Higher
(e) Morfa

958 Squadron
            “
            “

SF 20

CARDIFF

(a) Llanwern
(b) Duffryn
(c) St. Brides Wentloog

966 Squadron
            “
            “

[Ref.: AIR 2/4760; note: 'TSF' stands for 'Temporary Starfish']

Monthly report - showing when Arborfield's site was closed

[Each month there would be a report on the effectiveness of electronic counter-measures and decoys, and Part II was on 'Starfish'. For much of 1944 there was little activity on 'Starfish' sites because the Allies already had air superiority over the U.K., and the enemy had switched to V1 and V2 flying bombs]

November 1944, Part II, Starfish.

Organisation

2.1 A further ten sites have been closed during the past month. These covered the towns of Southampton, Winchester, Reading and Basingstoke. A total of 37 sites now remain available for operations.

Operations

2.2 Nil.

[Ref.: AIR 26/581]

How a typical Starfish site would be de-commissioned

[Detailed instructions for de-commissioning Starfish sites in the South and East of England don't seem to have survived - but de-commissioning of sites elsewhere followed a consistent pattern]

LD0469/44

Instructions on abandonment of sites in Scotland and Northern England – Director of Local Defence, 9 August 1944

  • Sites should be de-requisitioned and cleared of obstructions quickly in order to hand the land back to agriculture etc., as soon as possible.
  • Shelters should be disposed of (by sale if this is feasible) to the owners or tenants in order to avoid unnecessary work in dismantling structures which may be of use as they stand.
  • It is understood that all oils will be removed by the Ministry of Fuel and Power with whom arrangements should be made locally.
  • Metals and cables should be salved.
  • Basket fires and other non-oil fires should be burned on the sites.
  • Reserve stores should be disposed of by arrangements made in co-operation with the Air Ministry with whom they are held in common.

4th October 1944

[Ref.: ADM 1/18005]

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