Showing Hornchurch Offensive: A Definitive Account of the RAF Fighter Airfield, its Pilots, Groundcrew and Staff, 1941 - 1962 by Richard Smith

This is a fascinating study of an airfield and its units at the forefront of the air battle for Europe. Through 1941 to the end of the war, action was continuous with famous characters like Harry Broadhurst, Paddy Finucane, Wilfred Duncan-Smith and Max Bygraves joining the myriad of nationalities based there. The base was predominant during vital events such as the Dieppe raid; the Channel Dash; Operation Starkey; D-Day; and, in countering the V-1 menace. Post-war it was an Air Crew Selection Centre from 1948 - 1956 and fondly remembered by men such as Ronnie Corbett and Norman Tebbit.