My biological father was a tail gunner "Galloping Kate 2" in the 389th. I have no doubts what so ever that he does not even know I exist, or should I say knew. I was born 1945 in England and reared there by a single mother who married when I was 7 yrs. Through DNA I discovered who he was in 2016, he died in 1996 and hailed from Montgomery, Alabama. I have a half brother, his son, who I have met. He showed me an old war chest belonging to his father and his uniform. This chest even had bomb pins in it, part of his duties was to pull the pins out of the bombs. I would like to thank all the allied forces for giving us 75 yrs of peace.

RAF Upper Heyford, Dec 1972 - Mar 1976. I was attached to the 20th Avionics Maintenance Squadron working on the F-111. Fond memories of the base and surrounding areas. I lived in a place called Fringford Lodge for a bit then Middleton Cheney. I had many good local friends that I lost contact with after leaving.

Joined the RAF in 1971, and base closures seemed to follow me for 22years. Colerne, Lyneham, Wildenrath (RAF Germany), Kinloss, all bases where I served. Some are now Army Units, so they live on. I also live in a house on the site of RAF Skellingthorpe, of WW2 fame. Such a shame to lose all that heritage, but I suppose priorities must change. I still have my memories. Ex Nimrod Crew Chief.

I served two tours at RAF Bawdsey and worked there years later as Assistant Bursar at Alexanders International School. I actually started the Radar Museum and was interviewed on TV about it. There was no Mention of Orford Ness, just up the coast, where the very first radar experiments were carried out by Watson-Watt. There was too much interference from the sea so they moved to Bawdsey to get the height. One of the very last CH (Chain Home) towers was pulled down just after I left Bawdsey. It had been used by the Coast Guard for their communications. On day shift I would travel on the Bawdsey ferry from Old Felixstowe courtesy Charlie Brinkley or his son. Charlie was known for the "Brinkley Stick" a means of discharging capacitors in electrical equipment. On night shift it meant driving a long way round. I lived in Felixstowe up until I emigrated to Vancouver Canada 36 years ago.

I literally grew up on RAF stations from the age of two (I'm now 82). One of the most interesting I think was RAF Dyce (before it became the official Aberdeen Airport). We were in 'married quarters' on the hill overlooking the airfield, while behind us the quarries, full of water and trout. At the time Dyce still had a squadron of Spitfire (the last aerodrome to have them I believe) and as kids we would collect the empty cartridge cases used to "fire-up" the aircraft engines.

I loaded weapons on the F-111's of the 77th Fighter Squadron at RAF Upper Heyford from 1989-1992. Many fond memories of the base and the UK.

Gregg Hoel I was stationed at Upper Heyford 1963 for 18 months with B-47's. Then off to a remote site 300 miles north of Athens. Loved Upper Heyford & England & the people.. Thanks for the GREAT video....

..my late Dad served with the US Army Air Force B-17's at Thrapston..near Northampton..where he met my late English mother.. playing the piano in a pub..while her brothers and former boyfriend.. were fighting Rommel in North Africa..in tanks..and I have been back there.. many times since..and my British cousin.. is now the well-known actor.. Marc Warren..

My Daughter and I served on 158 Sqn RAF Air Cadets in Essex and my daughter went to the dedication parade and unveiling of the memorial. She said it was a great honour

I was stationed as a firefighter at RAF Upper Heyford from 1988-1991 in fact when you see them get in the car the concrete "bldg" just behind them was the fire training facility and to the left was the live fire aircraft training area with a mockup of a F-111 that we would torch up with a few hundred gallons of JP-8. UH was a great assignment especially living off base, getting to know the locals, towns and pubs, of course some didn't like us there but we were there to support a mission for the US and RAF, not to mention pumping billions and billions into the economy.

I was born on Friday the 13th at RAF Watton, my godfather being Wing Commander Gough, my sister was born at RAF Marham and I grew up hearing many stories from my father and mother who both served in the RAF during WW2. My father was in the catering Corps and responsible for the officers mess and used to shoot rabbits and serve them as chicken until one day somebody complained that they had found buck shot in his lunch - my father's excuse was he had difficulty catching the bird. On another occasion an American officer accidentally discharged his fire arm in the Quarters next to my parents. When asked if he had heard a shot he told my father that it was between him and his laundry. On another occasion when returning to the base after poaching on the Sandringham estate my father got pulled over by a police car and when the officer approached policeman jsaid " Jonny do you want any Rabbits " my father told us he bought the lot. On another occasion there was a police roadblock and they were checking every vehicle, My father used to ride a motorcycle and rather than try and explain why he had a canvas bag stuffed with a brace of pheasants he put on his tin helmet. Then rode up the outside of the queue telling the police that he was a dispatch rider on urgent business and got waved through. I guess as the RAF stations being bomber command and the high mortality rate of crews life was lived on the edge - it's not the doing that is wrong it's getting caught - which on one occasion my father did when riding his motorcycle up the offices mess steps 😂😂

It would be interesting to see what happened to RAF bases outside the UK. For example 840 Signals Unit Siggiewi in Malta where I worked as a civilian Clerk between 1953 and 1962 is now a Malta Police Academy. It was the parent Unit to 100 Signals Unit Tas-Silg, 203 Signals Unit Dingli, 447 Signals Unit Wardija, W/T Station Benghaisa and the Radar Station at Madliena. Al these Units are in use and well kept. The respective Commanding Officers I remember were Squadron Leader Cooban, Squadron Leader Ryder, Squadron Leader Hart and Squadron Leader Redford, all perfect gentlemen, Squadron Leader Hart I missed most. To these and to all the Senior Technical Officers, Adjutants, Warrant Officers, Senior NCO's and airmen I send my best regards!

At 16:05, Watson-Watt says something that is very important and often overlooked, and that is the term "integrated system". Britain's radar success had as much to do with the communication, plotting and planning, and control of the aircraft as typified by the WRAFS pushing their model planes about the plotting tables, an iconic scene in many WWII RAF films. The UK had to put together our RADAR system very quickly with limited technical resources and in comparison to Germany's Radar it was perforce a bit less sophisticated technically. Their system consequently took longer to become useful in the fighting. Today, we use more of the German principles in modern RADAR, but for its time, their total system did not work as well for them as ours's did for us.

Fascinating! Unlike most of my classmates in grammar and high school I was always fascinated with history and I'm still fascinated with it. My father was a tank crewmen with the 761st Tank Battalion and served Patton's 3rd Army during the war. He engendered in me the study of military history and I'm glad he did. There's a Supermarine Spitfire and JU-87 Stuka hanging from the ceiling at the Museum of Science and Industry here in Chicago. Great documentary!

Makes me sad how basically nothing remains of tangmere, i moved away from There a few months ago, but apart from a little bit of taxiway and apron, and the tower itself, but almost everything is gone, and it was such a major station during the battle of britain

I lived at RAF Upper Heyford before it was transferred to the USAF in 1950. We were the last RAF family living there at the change-over time, very strange indeed.

I was very impressed by the efforts made at Hethel, it's very respectful to the memory of all those who served. This is particularly so as my own father was in the RAF from 1940-46, although in a very unglamorous role in the regiment. Namely driving a staff car and a balloon winch, with the occasional stint on a twin Lewis gun. I'm still proud of him all the same, it still took the best years of his life he once told me, despite an unsuccessful attempt at volunteering as a tail end Charlie, his dear friend Tom Berry was sadly killed doing it. Any information regarding this man would be most welcome as a photo he had kept in a bureau disappeared years ago when I was a child.

Interesting, thank you. i was born in early 41, and having often listened to my family, some of which were fighting in that war, it brought a lump in my throat, and tears to my eyes for those souls that died that we would live and remain FREE! Gos Bless them.

I was in the USAF at RAF Greenham Common from 1982 - 1986. Loved my tour there. Lots of history.

This is facinating! My uncle was a bombadier on a B-17 with the 8th Airforce during the war. I love learning about history and what life must have been like back then.

There's a number of former RAF bases within an hour of me in East Yorkshire, including RAF Elvington. Others include RAF Driffield (industrial/MOD) RAF Leconfield (MOD), RAF Full Sutton (Industrial and a prison), RAF Patrington (campsite) , RAF Melbourne (returned to farming) and RAF Pocklington (industrial estate and gliding club).

My grandad was in the 405 pathfinders he was a bomb aimer it was nice to see his position in a Halifax. He is still over there.

Deep Respects to all who served, and Gratitude to those who paid the supreme price.

Hard men, fighting a hard war. Thank you gentlemen for your service and sacrifice.

I loved exploring the WW2 sites the short time I was stationed in England. I could understand the need to downsize our military numbers. It was very expensive to the US tax payer. America provided many jobs and I was friends with many who worked at the bases. England is going through some tough economic times, I hope it improves.

As kids, back in the 60's, my friends and I used to 'infiltrate' the perimeter of Elvington, to watch the V bombers land and take off from there. The MP's were no match for local 10 year olds with an intimate knowledge of the area!

This was interesting. Thanks for uploading.

Great documentary thanks for sharing this as an RAF Veteran myself I have seen some of the bases I worked at in the 90s get closed so would love to see more of these videos…. Proud to have served but tinged with sadness to see bases disappearing, some with little to no recognition…. Great video 👍🍻🫡

In my opinion, it is imperative that this information is put forward to remember the plight of our airmen during WWII. It was also interesting to see the use of some of the airfields currently. Thank you for this informative upload.

An RF Upper Heyford alumni here, '75-'76, AGE Sub-Pool....Loved it and the village.....and the country......

Actually, very interesting. One thing that was not mentioned about Hethel was that Colin Chapman bought the airfield personally and then moved Lotus there so he could rent it to Lotus.

An absolutely fascinating documentary and very well presented, thank you. I imagine there are plenty of opportunities for a series here.

Thank you very much for this documentary.

Wonderful Historic Video, Brings back a lot of memories

loved the RAF BASES DECLASSIFIED LOVE HEARING THE STORY'S OF OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN MY DAD WAS A 16YRS OLD AND A PATHFINDER AS A AIR GUNNER & RADIO MAN HE TOLD US HE CRASHED 3 TIME ONE TIME INTO A FARMER'S BARN MY FAMILY ARE VERY PROUD OF HIS SERVICES TO HIS COUNTRY AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT SERVICED THERE COUNTRY IN ITS TIME OF NEED

When we are in Scarborough for a few days we love visiting elvington museum it’s just wonderful

A great aunt of mine worked at RAF Bawdsey during the war. She refused to tell us what she did there right up until she died, even after it was declassified. She maintained she'd sworn never to reveal it and she wasn't about too.

My dad was at Ibsey, He showed me around when I was little, and we were on holiday. We didn't see the MOD, keep out sign until later.A treasured memory. I think the control tower has been restored now, not so in the 60's

Russell Middleton, BSc, CDL-A-XTPM (former), SSgt-USAF (former) AFGCM, NDSM served on RAF Upper Heyford 1970 - 1973.

since Thatcher, governments have decided we don't need an air force. First duty of any government is to defend it's citizens. My dad was at Marham and now look at the state of East Anglian air bases. With the 100 ARG pulling out of Mildenhall it is a sad situation for East Anglia. Let's support those we have left.

The B&W clip at 4:36 is actually a scene from the movie Memphis Belle, filmed at former RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire. I recognised it as soon as I saw it, despite being made to look like an old stock film. If the clip had continued it would have zoomed in on actor Jon Lithgow stood on the control tower gantry.

I spent two years (86-88) at RAF Martlesham Heath (part of Bentwaters) at an AUTOVON switching site. We had telephone trunks to RAF Upper Heyford! Loved my time in England. RAF Martlesham Heath is also now a museum.

There are over a 100 redundent aerodromes hidden from view around the UK, each with a story of historical value and well worth researching. Hope this video is not the last because it wont be long before most of those forgotten places have bitten the dust; now just a memory. An typical example is RAF Burtonwood, near Warrington which played a vital role in WWII, the Marshall Plan, the cold war era Berlin Airlift and much more. What remains of the taxiways are faintly visible on Google Earth.

We built around 660 airfields on these Islands during WW2 most of them dissapeared into motorway and industrial estate hardcore after the war. Elvington near York has the longest runway in wartime Britain and to the present day as far as I know. Elvington was used by the French Air Force for their modified super long range Halifaxes which flew to Warsaw and back to Britain dropping food and ammunition to the Polish Home Army under siege by the Dirlewanger SS division in the City...

RAF Nuthampstead, near me, became a storage facility for leftover munitions after the war. When the base closed in 1960 it was shortlisted to become London's third airport. As things turned out they opted for Stansted.

Thank you for this video, especially its portrayal of the unique and very moving RAF Lissett memorial, comprising seven silhouettes of a Bomber Command crew. The video's imagery of the memorial at sunset (see 27:20), and the accompanying narration, are beautifully done. Travelers using GPS, or Google Earth users, can find the memorial at latitude/longitude 54° 0'40.11"N, 0°15'37.98"W.

There were loads of airfields around Plymouth and Devon and Cornwall during the war, mostly fighter squadrons but places like Davidstowe were bomber bases, also plymouth had RAF Mount Batten which was home to Catalina and Sunderland seaplanes

My utmost appreciation for all those airmen, and to the many not even mentioned or commemorated, and who never came home,We salute you all. god bless each and every one of you.

A year before the 50th aniv of D Day I visited an Aunt in London. My dad was a B17 Captain in WW2 and my Aunt took me out to the pub where his crew frequented. On the ceiling of the pub you could still see where American flight crews signed their names,, and my dads.

Great video and so pleasing that these places still exist. RIP to the brave lads who lost their lives.

Was stationed At RAF Alconbury 85-88 and worked a bit at RAFMolesworth aswell

First time I can see a presenter whom roots coming to my country. All the best, Sian🙂

Simply breathtaking video. History, and some points, educational. Thank you.

My father in law served in India, Ceylon and Canada during WWII. A real character who is missed. Never ate a curry after 1946, won’t eat that s-r again he said. RIP Jimmy!!! A real hero.

The Aircraft shelters she was in at Upper Heyford are in the Victor Alert area and are called Tab V's. I was stationed there from 76 to 79 in the 20th AMS. I lived at RAF Gaydon and Feltwell while I was with the 48th TFW at Lakenheath.

What a great video. Really enjoyed it!

Did my Aerospace Operator training at RAF Bawdsey in August/September 1972. Great camp. Still remember getting the ferry across the river to go to Felixstowe.

During 1973 I worked for John Laing Civil Engineering and I was assigned to the project planning for building these enormous bombproof aircraft hangers. I always wondered what had happened to this base.

Was hoping to see something on RAF Bentwaters. I served there from 1990 to 1992. Was an awesome tour.

Thanks for loading this, I am particularly interested in old airfields. I used to fly from Enstone in Oxfordshire in the 1990's which had an interesting history.

Its moving to see that at least one base was literally beaten into a ploughshare -- cows and wind turbines where men once dealt out death to others nightly.

Very beautiful !!! I've been there many years ago to see the Lotus fields and factory !! There were Nillsson and Mario Andretti !

Interesting documentary, thought well narrated.

very interesting to hear about the Halifax Bomber, many of those serving in the RAF and named on our war memorial flew and died in the Halifax. An interesting video.

absolutely fascinating program thank you for posting

I love that memorial of the 7 crew ... how well done. Superb.

this is KEN GEORGE, I was born, just over the airfield fence , of R.A.F. FAIRWOOD, GOWER, SWANSEA, in Jan, 1945. i later learned to drive on a small part of a runway, and flew BOX KITES , used as aerials, for downed pilots or crew in liferafts. ( in Fairwood cottage hospital, probably used also as the airfield hospital.) - i was also at the opening of the airfield as a domestic airport - in 1957, by DOUGLAS BADER, had my photo taken with him and my friend. i did not get a copy, taken for the SOUTH WALES EVENING POST, CASTLE STREET, :)

My Dad was in Bomber Command on Halifax's '42 - '45. Interesting programme, just one thing, the Halifax at Elvington is not a replica it was salvaged, it is just painted to represent Friday 13th.

What a terrific video. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Have now subscribed and looking forward very much to future videos. Thank you

What happened to the abandoned airfields? Most were turned into housing estates, with the run ways dug up to provide 'free' rubble to build homes, roads etc., with a few air bases having Museums, like Hendon. Some still have the old rifle ranges and air raid shelters in the bushes around the perimeter. I explored many when in the RAF (12 years 1961-1975) years ago.

Excellent documentary.

I lived at RAF Upper Heyford in the mid 80's. my late husband was stationed there and I worked at the exchange.

Great video

I'm 9 yeard into a disused airfields project recording so far over 200 former military airfields in the air and on the ground where possible. We have a really wonderful aviation heritage in the uk.

I was hoping to see some of the very famous RAF bases in Lincolnshire especially about the Dam busters.. However, I very much enjoyed what I did see, thank you.

Would love to see more about the Tarrant Rushton secret airfield! It was used for s.a.s drops, bombing raids and a fair bunch of the airborne glider infantry for operation market garden (including my grandfather). After the war, it got turned into a flight refueling station with the meteor jets I'm pretty sure.

When I was growing-up, we were lived, in what then was called Kinghill Hostel, it was old RAF/Army Barracks and my dad would take to the airfields East Malling. I Was Heartbroken, Now It Has Been Built on.

An enjoyable presentation.

Vauxhall motor's Ellesmere Port is built on RAF Hooton Park which in turn was the home of the famous Stanley family. There is some WW1 hangers with Belfast trusses on site, grade two listed that is now home to the Griffin Trust museum

Strange seeing Heyford again ! I was there in the late 80's for 2 years !

My Grandad was in the RAF, but with the RAFR he was based at RAF Cranwell then he was sent to RAF North Witham before he was sent to North Africa. But my Grandad did end the war in 1945, he was still fighting in Palestine on the Gaza strip right up to 1948. But now he is at rest and I'm his eldest Grandson and I've got his war medals plus my great Grandads WW1 medals who was in the Middlesex regiment.

Excellent video... very well made and well presented too...

fantastic documentary , very important history

The trucks and trailers shown at Heyford (11.53) belong to the company that I work for, all of that area and 5 hangars in shot are ours, the base is a big site that a lot of people get lost on. A lot of history in the area including the old living quarters but they are all being demolished and new housing being built.

Great documentry. A must see

*RAF Cottesmore was used as the Vulcan 'Nuclear' Bomber base, (and I have been there - late 70's) and seen them practising low landings and taking off again with Full afterburners on. Awesome sight, right out of Star Wars. If it were not for them, "The Falklands War" (1982) would have been lost.*

I used to work at RAF upper heyford 2017-2018. They still have the engine testing buildings complete with cradles and pipework. Also 3 of the hangers are still un opened since the americans left

Brillent intersting video. Thank you for uploading .

Very good presentation of a great part of WWII history. Thank you.

part of the footage which is claimed to be from a French documentary showing men running across the airfield with a guy on a bike is actually from the opening scene of "Memphis Belle"

I was posted at RAF Bawdsey at the time of its closure in the early 90's great little posting, sad to see the the dilapidation of top site, pleased the domestic site is now being used and looked after :)

I work for a company that is based on the old RAF Snaith site. The original hanger still survives, part of the technical area that serviced/repaired the Halifax's of 51 Sqdn. The 51 Sqdn Memorial to the those lost is also there, approximately on the site of the Station HQ.

Marvelous production!

RFC / RAF Montrose , Britain’s first operational military airfield , the first aircraft to leave The U.K. for France in WW1 left from RFC Montrose , the hangars still standing among the oldest row of hangars still standing in the World. In WW2 RAF Montrose trained many pilots , many taking part in The Battle of Britain.The site now an industrial estate however one is used by The Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre which is housed in original original WW1 buildings along with other purposely built further into the old airfield , certainly worth a visit if in the area.

As Ex RAF i was aware of some of the redundant airfields, Elvington and Lissett are near where i now live. I did work for Lotus at Hethel in Norfolk for a short time after ending my service in the late 80's at a radar station called RAF Watton in Norfolk. Whilst in the RAF as an air traffic controller Upper Heyford provided plenty of work especially on the night when the all went to bomb Lybia.

This just popped up glad it did very interesting and respectful 👍👍

Elvington, York is a brilliant museum hosted by brill volunteers. Very moving experience too. Well worth an afternoon.

GREAT presentation!!!

Would love to see something like this produced with a large budget, focusing on "Fighter Command" aerodromes used during the "Battle of Britain". What they looked liked during the war, what they look like now, memorials, and airman's graves.