B/w photographs throughout,

and 1 map.

192 pages.

S/C £9.95

HAMPSHIRE AIRFIELDS

IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Robin J. Brooks

Although Hampshire's airfields had mainly been earmarked for reserve and training roles at the start of the war, their proximity to Portsmouth and Southampton, coupled with faulty German intelligence, led to swift and ferocious raids on them by the Luftwaffe. During the Battle of Britain, the Hampshire countryside was littered with crashed aircraft as German and British planes fought daily for control of the skies, and German bombers sought to obliterate the high profile targets of Portsmouth's naval dockyards and the Supermarine works at Woolston.

After 1940, the airfields were involved in a wide variety of defensive and offensive operations. These included the flying of daylight raids on targets in northern France, anti-submarine sorties over the Bay of Biscay and attacks on enemy shipping off the French coast. By 1944 activity reached its peak in support of the D-Day invasions and the allied sweep towards Germany itself.

Robin Brooks' action-packed account will bring back vivid memories for many. It is a sharp reminder of the time when Hampshire skies were criss-crossed with vapour trails by day and filled with an unseen menace by night.

Airfields include:

Andover,

Blackbushe,

Chattis Hill,

Chilbolton,

Eastleigh (Southampton),

Farnborough,

Gosport,

Lasham,

Lee-on-Solent,

Middle Wallop,

Odiham,

Portsmouth,

Worthy Down,

The Remaining Airfields,

The Advanced Landing Grounds.


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