RUNWAYS TO VICTORY – Belgian Airfields and Allied Tactical Fighter Operations 1944 – 1945

In early September 1944, the Allies had just successfully ended the Battle of Normandy and were preparing for the final drive to the heart of Nazi Germany, advancing through Belgium. Thousands of tactical aircraft, whose close air support was desperately needed by the hard-pressed Liberation Armies, followed in the wake of the ground forces. To allow these tactical fighters to "leap-frog" all the way to Berlin, hundreds of airfields were required along the path of the Allied advance. German aerodromes were patched up, or brand-new forward airfields were constructed in no time, making use of newly developed prefabricated surfacing materials. When the Tactical Air Forces left Belgium again in March and April 1945, the war was virtually over. During the winter of 1944–'45, Belgian airfields accommodated a tremendous number of tactical fighter aircraft, which, due to the way the air war was developing, ruled the skies over Western Europe.

Runways to Victory describes how airfields in Belgium were constructed, repaired, and used by the 9th U.S. Army Air Force and the British 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1944–'45. It contains a comprehensive overview of the origins and history of all airfields in Belgium from which Allied airplanes operated, as well as detailed insights into actions at these airfields. This book is a gripping account of the hazardous, gloomy, but often joyful life of the young Allied fighter pilots, and a documentary on the impact the proximity of an airfield had on several tens of Belgian cities and towns. Told largely through archive records from all over the world and the remembrances of the men who were there, this book is more than just a detailed reference text. It is an exciting read, illustrated with over 350 exclusive black-and-white and color photographs.

Author: 

Peter Celis was born in 1967. Fascinated by military aviation from a young age, he entered the Royal Military Academy of Belgium in 1985. He graduated as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1989 and was allowed to continue pilot training. After obtaining his Pilot's Wings in 1990, he was posted to the 10th Tactical Wing of the Belgian Air Force in 1991, where he was assigned to the 31st Fighter Squadron. With this unit, he continues to fly F-16 fighters from Kleine-Brogel Air Base to this day. Runways to Victory is his second book. He has also authored a number of articles for aviation magazines. He is married and has two children.

Source: Publisher's summary printed on cover