Dixie Tunnel and Woods, Sowerby Bridge 2013

 Dixie woods is a woodland that climbs from the Calder Valley in the direction of Sowerby Townships from Hollins Mills Lane, Sowerby Bridge, before ending alongside Sowerby Bridge Cemetery. It's proper given name is Dixon Scar Woods but most local people refer to it as Dixie Woods, towards the bottom of the woods flows the River Calder and it is home to Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club, a former cycle oval, football pitch and playing fields. The woodland has a number of footpaths, some leading in the direction of Sowerby, and others in the direction of Sowerby Bridge and one that follows alongside the river in the direction of Tenterfields.

Underneath the woodland runs Dixie Tunnel, its official name is Sowerby Tunnel, but is also referred to as Sowerby Tunnel and Long Tunnel. It was opened in 1840 and is approx. 657yds long leaving the industrial town setting of Sowerby Bridge at its eastern portal before emerging westerly in a rural environment.

The path that runs from Dixie Woods to Tenterfields. The River Calder seen on the left.

Dixie Woods looking in the direction of Sowerby Bridge from Friendly. The Rochdale Canal,
Ladstone and Houghton Towers all visible in the picture.

Dixie Woods pictured from Friendly, the Rochdale Canal running across the bottom.

Path through Dixie Woods away from the tunnel portal. The River Calder can be seen
at the valley bottom.

I've looked a number of times since I took this picture but never found this face again.

The following 2 pictures were taken at the western portal (Tenterfields) of the tunnel. On the day there were no trains running, I was with other people (safety in numbers), was in full railway safety gear, and had permission to be there. Please under no circumstances attempt to access a working railway line, even though lines of sight may give confidence you'll be safe, trains move fast and can approach unknowingly if attention is not being given.

These pictures were taken on various dates in 2013 using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, they can also be seen un-watermarked, full size and resolution on Clickasnap by clicking the image.

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Operation Starfish, Dummy Aerodrome at Sowerby, West Yorkshire 16 August 2022

 I previously visited the remains of the Operation Starfish Site on the 15th June 2015 and posted about that visit in an earlier post. Whilst passing on the 16th August 2022 and now in possession of a much better camera I decided to visit the scene again. I knew nothing much would have changed and apart from a bit more rubbish being left, and a bit of damage to the brick work outside nothing really has changed.

The pictures below were taken using a Nikon d3300 SLR and can also be seen full size, resolution and un-watermarked on my Clickasnap account. The text below the pictures is taken from my post dated 3rd February 2018 featuring the images taken in 2015.

The blast door pictured in front of the bunkers main entrance

Inside the bunker on the left hand side of the entrance is this former control
room. Now filling up with rubbish that has been left behind.

Looking north over the bunker. In the foreground can be seen some
brickworks, probably housed washrooms and generators. Their isn't much
evidence of the site ever being linked to mains electric.

The former control room to the right hand side of the entrance.

Looking west away from the bunkers entrance, taken from the roof I
assume the site in front of me would have housed the metal pans
that created the dummy lighting effect.

The following text is taken from my previous post on the Operation Starfish plans.

Operation Starfish was a large scale 2nd World War decoy plan to fool German bombers in to dropping their payloads in the wrong areas. The plan was developed by Colonel John Turner after the near destruction of Coventry in November 1940. The sites were developed in the countryside approx. 4 miles from what were considered targets for the German bombers. The surrounding fields usually had a metal trough through the undergrowth which would be filled with a mixture of creosote, coal, diesel oil and set alight when bombers were in the area, after a short time of usually 15mins water would be added to create an explosion and a burst of flame fooling the overhead bombers in to thinking that it was the target after the initial bombs had dropped.

The site at Sowerby was developed as a decoy for the cities of Manchester and Leeds as well as the railway goods yards at, Greetland, Halifax, Todmorden, Littleborough and Rochdale. The site had a 2 room bunker which is still standing, which was entered through a short passage behind a blast wall.

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Starfish Bunker Remains, Sowerby

 During the Blitz, British cities were taking a heavy bombardment and November 1940 Coventry was almost completely destroyed which led to the involvement of engineer and retired Air Ministry officer Colonel John Turner. He was tasked with expanding his "K" and "Q" sites which had been developed to resemble factories airfields to "SF" sites to resemble nearby major cities. The "SF" was for special fire but a site near Bristol was given the name Starfish and this stuck for all sites from then. One of these sites was developed on the moors above Sowerby as a decoy for the cities of Leeds and Manchester as well as the nearby railway goods yards at Greetland and major railway junctions at Todmorden, Halifax and Rochdale.

The sites were built so that during the day the resembled farm buildings. The surrounding area was then covered with metal troughs hidden by vegetation which were linked to tanks filled with oil and water. The troughs were also filled with creosote and coal and when in operation this see the water released in to the hot pans approx. 15 mins after lighting to create a large burst of flame and explosion to confuse enemy bombers.

The bunker was a 2 room control area entered by a short passage protected by a blast wall. The bunker and blast wall remain in good condition despite being over 70 years old when these pictures were taken. There is nothing else nearby to give a clue to the history of the site.

The pictures were taken on 16 June 2015 using a Polaroid IS2132 bridge camera. There are a total of 7 which can be seen below and on ClickASnap where they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

Inside the right side control room.

The left side control room.

Taken stood atop the bunker looking in the direction of Lancashire.
The blast wall was in excellent condition.

The only entrance / exit to the bunker. I imagine it could have
got quite claustrophobic inside.

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Sowerby Tunnel.

Sowerby Tunnel is a short video I put together featuring pictures and footage of the railway tunnel between Sowerby Bridge and Luddendenfoot on the Caldervale line. The tunnel was built in 1840 by the Manchester & Leeds Railway and runs underneath Sowerby Bridge Cemetery and Dixon Scar Woods. It runs for approx. 657yds leaving the industrial landscape of Sowerby Bridge at it's eastern portal, before exiting to the country setting of Sowerby - Tenterfields - Luddendenfoot at it's western portal. Sowerby Tunnel is also known as Dixy, Long and Cemetery Tunnel. 

The pictures and footage were taken on various dates over the last 6 years. The picture towards the end of the video was taken whilst stood near the tunnels western portal on the track. I had permission to be there, on the day no trains were running and I still complied with full health and safety rules to be there. Please do not ever enter with the property which trains run, it is very dangerous and can lead to death or major life changing injuries.

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Operation Starfish: Deceiving the Luftwaffe Over Sowerby

The night skies of World War II were a theatre of terror, illuminated by the deadly dance of bomber streams and the fiery destruction they wrought. In the desperate struggle for survival, Britain turned to ingenious deception, and one of its most remarkable stratagems was Operation Starfish. This ambitious project aimed to divert German bombers from their intended targets, safeguarding vital industrial cities and infrastructure.

The Shadow of Coventry:

The catalyst for Operation Starfish was the devastating blitz on Coventry in November 1940. The near-total destruction of this historic city underscored the Luftwaffe's relentless efficiency and the urgent need for effective countermeasures. Colonel John Turner, a visionary engineer, conceived the idea of creating elaborate decoy sites that would mimic the appearance of burning cities from the air.

The Starfish Strategy:

These decoy sites, known as "Starfish" sites, were strategically located approximately four miles from targeted urban areas. They were designed to replicate the chaos and inferno of a bombing raid. The ingenious method involved a network of metal troughs laid through the surrounding fields, filled with a volatile mixture of creosote, coal, and diesel oil. When German bombers approached, these troughs would be ignited, creating a convincing illusion of a city ablaze. After a carefully timed interval, typically around 15 minutes, water would be added to the burning mixture, producing a dramatic explosion and a towering burst of flame. This spectacle was intended to convince the overhead bombers that they had successfully hit their target, prompting them to release their remaining payloads on the decoy site rather than the intended city.

Sowerby's Secret Role:

In the heart of West Yorkshire, the landscape surrounding Sowerby played a crucial role in this deception. The Sowerby Starfish site was specifically designed to protect the industrial cities of Manchester and Leeds, as well as the vital railway goods yards at Greetland, Halifax, Todmorden, Littleborough, and Rochdale. These railway hubs were critical for transporting supplies and munitions, making them prime targets for German bombers.

A Glimpse into the Past:

Today, the physical remnants of Sowerby's Starfish site are sparse, but a tangible link to this clandestine operation remains: a two-room bunker. This sturdy structure, accessed through a short passage protected by a blast wall, stands as a silent testament to the ingenuity and determination of those who worked to protect their communities. The lack of extensive surface evidence speaks to the secrecy surrounding these operations, a necessity in wartime.

A Visual Record:

The accompanying photographs, captured on June 16, 2015, with a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera, offer a visual glimpse into the present-day landscape of the Sowerby site. While the fields may appear tranquil, they hold the echoes of a dramatic and vital chapter in British wartime history.

The Legacy of Deception:

Operation Starfish was a testament to the power of strategic deception. It played a significant role in diverting German bombers, saving countless lives and protecting critical infrastructure. The sites, like the one at Sowerby, represent a fascinating blend of engineering ingenuity and wartime necessity. While the physical scars may have faded, the story of Operation Starfish remains a compelling reminder of the resourcefulness and resilience displayed during one of history's darkest periods.

Further Exploration:

For those interested in learning more about Operation Starfish, further research into Colonel John Turner's work and the broader context of British wartime deception is highly recommended. Local historical societies and archives may also hold valuable information about the specific role of the Sowerby site.

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