The post WWII era was one of a great deal of change in Europe. The rise of the Soviet Union as a real international power and the spread of its influence (including the subjugation of countries along its border) was of real concern to the rest of its former Allies in the region. There was a very real possibility that war could break out and so there was an increase in the basing of US forces in various European countries. One of them was the UK and they seemed quite accommodating to the idea of having USAF units semi-permanently based there.

This was as much due to the immense draw-down of the RAF after WWII, and the nation's inability to really build up the sort of forces needed. One has to realize that WWII nearly bankrupt the country and it was only just getting back on its feet. There were a rather large number of bases that had been built during WWII that were either standing empty or were very lightly manned, and that included the base at Manston in Kent.

This base was used by rotating USAF fighter and fighter-bomber units, who basically stayed for a day less than six months before rotating out and being replaced by another unit. By unit, I mean a wing with all of the required squadrons. There was a more permanent base squadron whose job it was to provide the needed support, but the flying units were, for the most part, temporary. The only more permanent units were Air Rescue squadrons.

Duncan Curtis is well-known to some of us because of his work on the F-86 Sabre, an aircraft that is a favorite of many. In this book, he covers the full history of the base from its start in WWI to its increased use during WWII, where it was finally given a large, paved runway that was used by damaged bombers for an emergency landing strip, as well as by several RAF squadrons.

However, it is the use of Manston as a USAF base that concerns this book, and so it is divided into sections covering the various wings that used the facility. Each section includes a rather complete diary of the unit's stay as well as superb photos of the planes that it used, including F-84E/G, F-86D and F-84F aircraft. There is also a very nice color section of these planes included. A most complete appendix of all the known serials of aircraft based at Manston is included, something that many readers will appreciate and use.

Overall, this is a superb book that is more than just a collection of nice photos, but a well written history of an important part of the Cold War. It is a book that you can buy with confidence that you are getting the best.

December 2006

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