Action Stations 1: East Anglia

East Anglia was the centre of the United Kingdom's aerial defence and later offence during World War 2, yet this is the first book to be devoted exclusively to aerial operations in the area.
It begins by outlining the early growth of flying activity in East Anglia and then describes the broad strategic life of the area between 1939 and 1945, when hundreds of aircraft were constantly overhead by day and by night. The book then moves on to describe the activities of each individual airfield, in alphabetical order. It relates when each became operational, which squadrons were based where, which aircraft types they flew and what operations they participated in. There are many anecdotes of incidents and sorties, some humorous, some tragic, but all breathing life into the narrative and making the reader aware that aerial warfare is, in truth, a very human story.
However, there is plenty of 'hard' information too for the serious historian, together with many rare photographs and an invaluable index to units, both American and British, based in East Anglia. Each airfield entry is accompanied by a map reference and a useful guide to what can still be seen today for the travelling enthusiast. In addition, there is a special chapter on airfield architecture identifying what may be seen, plus many maps and aerial views - several of which the author took personally whilst researching the book.


by Michael J. F. Bowyer
Published by Patrick Stephens Ltd 1982 5th impression 232pp fine, d/j very good





Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.