RAF and USAAF Airfields in the UK

"Whether retained in active military service, placed in government service, or returned to the neighboring community for farming, rearing of livestock, or general use, the authors provide a meticulously detailed record of these historic fields and their contribution to the Allied victory in Europe during World War II. " - The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation. Shortly after the end of the Second World War, the United Kingdom was described as one vast aircraft carrier anchored off the coast of Europe. During a seven year period 500 airfields were constructed to serve the needs first of the RAF and later the USAAF as they carried the war to German-occupied Europe. The airfields that were constructed took many different forms from training airfields and Advanced Landing Grounds to grass fighter airstrips and vast complexes used to accommodate heavy bombers. This book charts the history of each Second World War airfield in and around the UK providing a unique insight in to the construction, operational life and post-war history of each airfield. Alongside detailing the history of each airfield, this work comprehensively records the details of each unit that operated from airfields around the UK. The information provided in this meticulously researched book is supported by a wealth of 629 photographs providing an illustration into the life of each wartime station.