Thorpe Camp

Hidden amongst the trees of Tattershall Thorpe stands one of Lincolnshire's most remarkable surviving Second World War sites.

Thorpe Camp: The Story of No. 1 Communal Site tells, for the first time, the complete story of the domestic camp that supported RAF Woodhall Spa, home to the legendary Dambusters of No. 617 Squadron and other distinguished Bomber Command units. More than simply a history of wartime buildings, this book follows Thorpe Camp's extraordinary journey from a bustling RAF communal site to post-war family homes, through decades of abandonment and dereliction, to its remarkable rescue and restoration by dedicated volunteers.

Drawing upon archival records, official RAF documents, photographs, personal recollections and extensive local research, Anthony Bird brings together the people, places and events that shaped Thorpe Camp over more than eighty years. Discover the stories of the servicemen and women who lived there, the famous squadrons they supported, the Golden Eagle Tavern, post-war life on the camp, and the volunteers whose determination ensured this unique piece of Britain's wartime heritage was not lost forever.

Illustrated throughout with historic photographs, maps and previously unpublished images, Thorpe Camp: The Story of No. 1 Communal Site is an essential read for anyone interested in RAF Woodhall Spa, Bomber Command, the Dambusters, Lincolnshire's wartime history and the preservation of Britain's military heritage.

Whether you are a visitor to Thorpe Camp, an aviation enthusiast, a military historian or simply fascinated by Britain's Second World War story, this book offers a compelling account of one of the country's last surviving RAF communal sites-and the people who ensured its story would continue to be told.

• The first comprehensive history of Thorpe Camp and No. 1 Communal Site.
• Explores RAF Woodhall Spa beyond the famous Dambusters story.
• Covers wartime service, post-war housing, restoration and the modern visitor centre.
• Includes over 160 pages of photographs, maps and historical research.
• Perfect for enthusiasts of RAF history, Bomber Command, military heritage and Lincolnshire's wartime past.