Can you help solve the mystery of the Starfish bunker
The Trust is looking for the public’s help. We want to speak to people who lived in the Dumbarton area during WW11 and more specifically those who may have memories of the bombing raid which took place on the evening of the 5th May 1941.
On the night of 5 May 1941, the Lufftwaffe carried out a bombing raid over the town of Dumbarton. The raid resulted in 100 houses being destroyed and the loss of 17 lives. The Co-operativeSociety Building was lost to a delayed action bomb while both the Scottish People’s Theatre and a disused school were burnt to the ground. The shipyards were relatively unscathed. It is believed that the town was spared from the devastation of neighbouring Clydebank in part due to the presence of an RAF Starfish Bunker decoy which is situated to the north of the town.
The bunker was the base for troops that lit decoy lights and fires. The site was just one of the many star fish bunkers built during WWII to lure the Lufftwaffe away from their intended target.
The bunker still exists today and is situated in the Trust’s recent woodland acquisition at Lang Craigs, on the outskirts of Dumbarton.
The Trust is looking for those who are willing to share their memories of that time. You may have experienced the raid first hand or perhaps you grew up listening to tales of what life was like. We are particularly interested in any photographs of the bunker.
If you think you can help us please email Scotland@woodlandtrust.org.uk or call 01738 635829
