RAF Tempsford

Designed by an illusionist, RAF Tempsford was described by Hitler as a viper's nest. Locals knew it was an airfield but not what went on there. They weren't meant to. This fascinating book reveals many of the top secret SOE missions that 138 and 161 Special Duties Squadrons flew from Tempsford, dropping supplies to the resistance groups across occupied Europe as well as specially trained secret agents. Group Captain 'Mouse' Fielden was in charge and agents like Violette Szabo, Odette Churchill, Peter Churchill and Wing-Commander Yeo-Thomas flew out on secret missions from here. Vital operations like the bombing of Amiens Prison, the destruction of the heavy water plant in Norway and the assassination of Heydrich were all flown from Tempsford. Also looking at daily life at Tempsford both during and after the war, Bernard O'Connor's detailed account sheds light on the men and women based at Britain's secret airfield.