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RAF Southend focuses in diary-type format on the airport between October 1940 and August 1944, from when it became a fighter station in its own right, to it becoming an armament practice camp later in the war. It describes the manning and maintenance of the forward fighter station, often under attack, and follows the varying fortunes of the staff and personnel who were posted there, and the highs and lows and often tragic events that occurred on and around the aerodrome. It also gives in-depth details of the numerous defensive and offensive operations carried out by the various RAF fighter squadrons while based there. Through interviews with ex-staff and eyewitnesses "who were there" and the meticulous cross-referencing of original material, it makes for a very accurate and interesting read for people with an interest in local history and/or aviation/military history.
About the author
Peter Brown has researched local history for several years and one of the most challenging areas he is still working on is the names of the fallen and women on the memorial sites in and around Southend-on-Sea from World War I. In the summer of 2008, Brown was party to a "rediscovery" of the underground air-raid shelters beneath the Ekco Plastics Complex in Southend. After bringing it to the attention of the Southend Museum and the Braintree Archaeological Team, the successful retrieval of a considerable number of items was carried out.
Summary
RAF Southend focuses on the airport's role in the Second World War, between October 1940 and August 1944, from when it became a fighter station in its own right, until it became an armament practice camp later in the war.
