Hampshire Airfields in the Second World War

Author: Brooks, Robin J.

England

Published on 31 October 1996 by Countryside Books in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Airfields in the Second World War' series.

This meticulously researched, fully illustrated book contains a full account of the part played by Hampshire's airfields during World War II. The history of each airfield is remembered here, with details about the squadrons and aircraft based at them, and the main operations flown. The subject is brought vividly to life with evocative accounts, alongside photos of the airmen themselves and their aircraft.

The effects of the war on the daily lives of civilians and the constant dangers from raids and night bombing are also detailed.

In common with other counties in the south-east, Hampshire suffered badly from bomb damage during the Second World War, with Portsmouth quickly gaining the unenviable title of the most bombed city outside London. The city's naval base, along with nearby Southampton and its Spitfire manufacturing facility, bore the brunt of this onslaught.

Also in the line of fire were the county's airfields. Many of those airfields are now just memories, but their previous life, during those dramatic and hectic times, is brought back to life in this book. From the large military airfields to the Advanced Landing Grounds and the Flight Testing airfields, they all played a part in forming the county's history.

But this was also a war against the civilian population, for the Luftwaffe did not distinguish between military and civil targets. Bombs were dropped at random and thus the civilians of Hampshire saw the full horror of war.

This book tells the story of those on active service as well as the civilians who died or were injured in the defence of their country.