Even before the 1914-18 war started, military aviation was present in the area, with activity on Salisbury Plain and at Calshot. From 1915 aviation activity grew and by 1917 the region of Wessex was locally becoming a centre for training activity for the Royal Flying Corps whilst Royal Naval Sir Service units operated anti-submarine patrols from Calshot, Portland and Upton. On Sunday August 17th the Friends of the New Forest Airfields will host an exhibition describing the WW1 aviation activity in the New Forest and Bournemouth, and will also outline the role of flying sites in east Dorset, on Salisbury Plain and the remainder of south west Hampshire.
The free exhibition is at the New Forest Airfields’ Education Centre in Merryfield Park, Bransgore, BH23 8AU and is open between 10am and 4pm. The Friends of the New Forest Airfields can be contacted on 01425 674516, or email via fonfa2010@gmail.com.
