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Soft cover. Condition: NF. No Jacket. Photos, Maps. Diagrams. Documents (illustrator). 1st. In the days immediately before and after D-Day, in June 1944, a number of temporary fighter airstips or Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) were used for Fighter Command aircraft to cover the landings at Normandy. One of these was at Coolham, near Horsham, West Sussex, and this book recalling its short operational history was compiled by a local policeman, Paul Hamlin, who became interested in its history, with this research leading to a commemoration and reunion there, marking the 50th anniversary of D-Day.The book was an adjunct to that event, and provides a tangible record of one short chapter in the story of WWII. Construction of the Horsham ALG was completed in 1943 but it was early 1944 when the first emergency landing took place there, a US Marauder bomber. This incident also provide the field's first fatality, a sargeant working on the airstrip was struck by the Marauder. During the critical D-Day period six RAF Squadrons operated from Coolham., At D-Day three squardons were based at Coolham ---315 (Polish) Squadron and 306 (Polish) Squadron and 129 (Mysore) Squadron. After arriving at Coolham 315 and 306 re-equipped to Mustangs from Spitfires, as did 129. Other RAF squadrons associated with Coolham in the Invasion period were 222 (Natal) Squadron, 485 (New Zealand) Squadron and 349 (Belgian) Squadron. In addition, aircraft from other units made landings at Coolham for various reasons and details of these visitors and incidents are recorded. Also covered in the book are the many supporting units --- such as construction, maintenance, transport, communications, weapons handling, repair, admin, airfield defence and supply. This is largely a book of recollections, of those who were there, from all branches of the service, plus the reflections of the civilians whose peaceful rural existance (even in war-time) was briefly shattered by the demands of D-Day and its follow-uo operations. In September 1945 the reinstatement of Coolham ALG began and gradually the field was largely restored to agricultural use and those action-packed days of the Invasion were almost forgotten.This book and the marking of D-Day's 50th anniversy in 1994, together with a permament memorial, will ensure its not forgotten again. First edition of 1996, 150 pages, b/w photos throughout, maps, documents Pictorial card covers are NF with b/w photo to front, colour shot of Coolham Airfield memorial to back cover, eight unit insignia/squadron crests reproduced in colour on covers, Paul Hamlin's signature and inscription inked on title page, internally NF. By Author.