The Friends of the New Forest Airfields will host an exhibition about The New Forest Airfields on D-Day on Saturday 14 June.
On 6 June 1944, the New Forest Airfields reached the pinnacle of their operational existence. Ten of the airfields were the scene of frantic activity from first light to late twilight. The countryside and skies of the Forest roared and throbbed with the sound of aircraft engines. For many of the squadrons too, this was The Day that they had been established for. Across the New Forest, British, Canadian and American airmen in their thousands worked non-stop re-arming, refuelling, repairing, to maintain maximum effort by their pilots.
At the exhibition,The Friends will try to paint a picture of activity on D-Day on the airfields at Beaulieu, Bisterne, Christchurch, Holmsley South, Hurn, Ibsley, Lymington, Needs Oar Point, Stoney Cross and Winkton. It will be open between 10am and 4pm at the New Forest Airfields’ Education Centre in Merryfield Park, Bransgore.
On 29 June the Friends of the New Forest Airfields will host the annual outdoor New Forest Airfields Commemorative Service at the New Forest Airfields Memorial, Black Lane, Holmsley South. All are welcome to attend, serving members of the armed forces, cadet forces, veterans and veterans’ organisations and there will be the opportunity to parade standards.
The Friends of the New Forest Airfields can be contacted on 01425 674516, or email via fonfa2010@gmail.com.
