The Story of RAF Hixon: No 30 Operational Training Unit 1942-1945

Description

The Story of RAF Hixon tells the story of a Second World War Training Airbase. It was built in 1941 close to the small Staffordshire village of Hixon and operated from 1942-1945. During this period thousands of men, many from Commonwealth countries, came together to form crews and be trained to undertake night bombing raids on Germany and occupied countries.

The book provides an insight into the experiences of these brave young airman, many of whom would later be killed in action. It also considers the short and long-term impact of the airbase development on the lives of villagers at the time, and the permanent changes that have resulted to the village of Hixon and the local district.

Much of the story is based on personal interviews with those involved with the airbase in wartime, either as trainee aircrew, instructors, or ground staff and with others who lived in the village at the time. These first-hand accounts provide a unique understanding of the experiences of those most closely involved.

The book also brings the story up to date, recalling previous commemorative celebrations of RAF Hixon and current moves to install a stained-glass memorial window in the local church as a permanent memorial.

Two appendices are provided, the first being a chronology of wartime airbase development and activity, the second giving details of numerous accidents and incidents, all as recorded in the original Station Log Book, held at the Public Record Office in Kew.