A Typical Fighter Sector Airfield 1940

It was the role of the fighter sector airfield to receive relevant information regarding its sector from group headquarters and distribute information and commands to smaller airfields under its jurisdiction. At the beginning of the war, grass runways were sufficient for the current weight of bombers and fighters, but as the payload and size of aircraft increased, concrete runways had to be used for bomber squadrons. Grass runways remained sufficient for fighters, which could take off and land on shorter runways. Defensive measures included anti-aircraft emplacements and fighter or ‘blast’ pens to protect the dispersed aircraft, which were constructed in an E shape with concrete and earth embankments. The airfield was protected against enemy attack with anti-machine gun posts and towers for Bofors guns. Temporary crew quarters were situated next to the fighter pens for quick night time deployment. The headquarters of the sector airfield received commands from the area headquarters and coordinated airfield defence.