Themes

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• World War One

• Between the Wars
  

• World War Two

• Post World War Two

Lee-on-Solent in World War Two

When Britian declared war with Germany in September 1939, the Navy enlarged the aerodrome. The Fleet Air Arm and RAF's use of south coast airfields meant the difference between defeat and victory in the Battle of Britain.

Fortunately Lee-on-Solent was put out of action only once during the entire war. This happened when a force of 25 Stuka dive-bombers made a heavy daylight raid in September 1940. Luckily, the sirens provided sufficient warning for personnel to reach cover. Although the raid produced heavy damage to aircraft and installations, casualties were light.

HMS Daedalus Christmas menu 1944

Apart from 'Operation Overlord', the D-Day invasion in 1944, there was little operational flying from Lee-on-Solent. The Fleet Air Arm and the RAF often used Lee-on-Solent as a deployment airfield for bomber and fighter squadrons. Its main function was as a base for carrier borne front line squadrons when they were in harbour and seaplane training. Later the slipway was used for seaplane 'Search and Rescue' for ditched crews.