Decoy Site Belfast

I had known about this site for some time but it took a few trips to eventually find it.

This was a Decoy Site at Knockbracken on the eastern side of Belfast.

When a German Air Raid was approaching the personel who operated here deliberately lit a number of fires in an attempt to confuse the aircrews into bombing here rather than the true target of Belfast City.

Needless to say this was a very dangerous place to be (In the event that it was successful) and so the 2 Air raid shelters which can be seen here were very well protected as can be seen in the pictures.

The second picture shows the 2 shelters.

For more information on Northern Irelands involvement in the Second World War please visit my website as it is continually being updated.

 

Very interesting! Are you free to supply the actual address/location? I'd like to take a look at the weekend.

 

I just realised that there is one a mile away from me in Lullingstone, Kent. Might go and have look tomorrow if it's not raining. Will chat to my neighbour first as she was a young girl at the time and might remember it.

The Lullingstone Decoy | Kent Life

 

Hi,
On the main Ballygowan to Moneyreagh Road turn right onto the Knockbracken Road.

Go past the Housten Road on your right and you will then see what appears to be a farmers lane on the left. This can be identified as there is a house with double gates in the lane on the right.

Follow this lane virtually as far as it goes and the last field on the left before the farmhouse at the end of the lane is where these 2 shelters can be found.

I called at the farmhouse for permission to take a look but noone was around. - Be Aware there are a couple of large unfriendly dogs!

It took me a few attempts so good luck! - After this take a look at Rocky Road for the old cemetry, HAA Battery and Gasoline Supply Depot. Theres plenty to keep you occupied!!

 

It took me a few attempts so good luck! - After this take a look at Rocky Road for the old cemetry, HAA Battery and Gasoline Supply Depot. Theres plenty to keep you occupied!!


Those I know, they're within walking distance of the ol' homestead LOL Thanks for the directions.

P.S. for anyone else reading this - it's the Rocky Road just to one side of the top of the Cregagh Road....not the one in Gilnahirk, or the three others around Belfast!

 

I am trying to learn more about it however what is now the new Music Department building at Lagan College was a U.S. Military Headquarters.

 

"Lisnabreeny House", facing the end of Rocky Road??? or rather the reconstructed Lisnabreeny House? When I was young it was a ruin, and the people who build Lagan College knocked it down...

...then the DOE made them rebuilt it as new!!!

HOWEVER - UNTIL it became a ruin, and from the end of the war...it was the headquarters of YHANI, the Youth Hostel Association Northern Ireland! Before they moved down (after a fire IIRC) to a big red brick house on the Ormeau Road facing the junction with Upper Galwally (now its private flats)....and then afew years ago moved again to the new block in town just off Shaftsbury Square on the bottom of the Donegal Road, where it crosses Sandy Row.

So THEY might have some records