Despite the growing importance of aviation after 1914, and public interest in pioneering flights such as Amy Johnson's run from Croydon to Australia; at the outbreak of war in 1939 there were only three military airfields - Northolt, Hendon and Woodley, and one civil airfield - Heston, in the whole of the Thames Valley.

However, a massive building programme was soon underway with Membury, Wing and Thame finished in 1941 and five more - Oakley, Cheddington, Little Horwood, Westcott, and Aldermaston in 1942.

Northolt, Heston and Hendon had become home to No. 11 Group Fighter Command early in the war, and so were heavily involved in the Battle of Britain, their contribution being co-ordinated from Command Headquarters at nearby Bentley Priory.

As the newly built airfields became operational, many were taken over by the USAAF, including Greenham Common and Welford, and were involved in the planning and eventual execution of Operation Overlord, the Allied D-Day assault upon Fortress Europe. Others became flying training centres providing much needed new pilots and crew for hard pressed Bomber and Fighter Squadrons.

This book described the history of each airfield, highlights some of the major operations carried out from them and marks their overall contribution to the great war effort. The effects of this on the daily lives of the people living in the Thames Valley, including the code breakers at Bletchley Park, and the constant dangers they all suffered are also detailed.

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