The Royal Air Force (RAF) played an important role in World War II. By 1940, Britain was one of the few unoccupied countries; the German Luftwaffe was bombing UK towns and cities and thousands of British pilots needed places to take off and land. Agricultural land was requisitioned by the government and turned into airbases. Sites were needed on land that was relatively flat, had good drainage and was close to existing roads and railways. During the Second World War many airfields were built in Northamptonshire at places like Spanhoe, King's Cliffe, Chelverston, Harrington and Silverstone.

RAF Polebrook was the first airfield to be finished in the county. On 28 June 1942 it was officially turned over to the American Air Force (USAAF). Thousands of US airmen needed to be stationed at airbases in the county. Amongst the Americans stationed at Polebrook were some big Hollywood stars. Clark Gable flew combat missions out of RAF Polebrook in 1943.

After the war some sites were returned to their original owners and were turned back into agricultural land. Others, like Silverstone, were converted to new uses.

Visit www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk to find out more.