Author: FERGUSON, ALDON
Title: Cheshire Airfields in the Second World War (British Military Aviation History) (Airfields Series)
Description: blue Red writing, Countryside Books. 2008. (ISBN: 9781853069277). Paperback. Condition good, clean. This book offers a fully illustrated and exciting account of the part played by Cheshire's airfields during the Second World War. The history of each airfield is described, including details about the squadrons and aircraft based at them and the operations flown. The subject is brought vividly to life with evocative accounts, alongside photos of the aircraft from the time. Cheshire's contribution to the war effort was massive and it began well before the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939. The aircraft manufacturing firms of AV Roe and Fairey Aviation based at Ringway and Woodford, and the Vickers-Armstrong factory nearby, built many war-time fighters and bombers, including the mighty Lancasters and Wellingtons, Avro Ansons and Bristol Blenheims. The county's airfields played an increasingly active part in defending the giant Cammell Laird shipbuilding yards at Birkenhead, the vital docks and the city of Liverpool, and industrial Manchester from Luftwaffe bombing raids. At the outbreak of war Ringway was joined by Hooton Park as an operational airfield. Later, six more were built: Calveley, Stretton, Poulton, Cranage, Little Sutton and Tatton Park. The training of aircrews was also a priority. They included RAF pilots and navigators, reconnaissance personnel, radio direction finders, glider pilots, Royal Navy pilots and parachutists. Ringway was home to the Parachute Training School and provided many thousands of trained men to take part in the D-Day landings and at Arnhem. They also taught the men and women of SOE (Special Operations Executive), including Odette Churchill and Violette Szabo, how to parachute into enemy held territory. Aldon Ferguson's thoroughly researched and action-packed book describes the history of each airfield, highlights the work carried out from them and puts these air stations into the overall context of a county and country at war. It will appeal equally to aviation enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in Cheshire's military history. Aldon Ferguson is also the author of Lancashire Airfields in the Second World War. CONTENTS Map of the Airfields  Abbreviations Acknowledgements 1. Setting the Scene 2. Calveley 3. Cranage 4. Hooton Park 5. Little Sutton 6. Poulton 7. Ringway 8. Stretton 9. Tatton Park 10. Woodford 11. Civilians at War Bibliography Index. Used: Acceptable.

Keywords: 9781853069277