During the First and Second World Wars, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and East Anglia, were home for a great many airfields; for it had been decided that the eastern side of England should house the operational bomber airfields.

Each airfield had ten or more sites dispersed through the countryside around the airfield, which included the Station Sick Quarters, domestic, and sewage sites etcetera. Lincolnshire became known as Bomber County, due to the vast number of bomber airfields. East Anglia became the home of the Americans who had very heavy losses for they carried out daylight bombing raids and for that they paid a heavy price ... and that explains why so many airfields in East Anglia are haunted.

The aerodrome was completely self-contained with its own electrical generator; fuel in under-ground tanks and water that was stored in the once familiar water towers perched high above the ground. The bomb dump and ammunition buildings were usually constructed - but not always - in the remote areas on the opposite side of the airfield to the domestic site.

I say this to give you an idea when Ghost hunting ... Airfields were large and more complex than many imagine.

The official strength in the Second World War of the Royal air force was 1,079,835 men and women. 70,253 were killed in action.

Many of the old airfields have taken on a variety of uses; some have retained some flying connection even if it is only the occasional light aircraft on a fine summer's day, or the restless Ghost Squadrons that can be heard in the morning mist and the gathering dusk at night; and I have recorded many such incidents in my Ghost Stations™ Series.

The old wartime airfields hold many secrets; the reason why clearly explained in the chapter Official Mythology in Ghost Stations™ Yorkshire.

The old wartime airfields hold a great many secrets. The Paranormal Investigation at RAF Bircham Newton by Denny Densham proves that to be so; for Jack De Manio broadcast the psychic sounds on BBC radio, and people telephoned in to say that their pets reacted wildly to the chilling psychic sounds. Rita Dando, Jack De Manio's secretary visited RAF Bircham Newton and her visit left her in no doubt that the RAF Station is haunted.

GHOST HUNTING

So if you are going ghost hunting on the old fields you must prepare yourself.

• You must first find out who owns the airfield and get the owner's permission to go on the airfield.
• You must go prepared and never go alone. Always go in a group of four or five; no less and no more.
• Always carry a good powerful torch and a mobile phone. Several mobile phones from different networks is preferable in case one network is weak in that area.
• Always keep in a loose group, not too close or bunched together.
• Beware of manholes and other such dangers for there are many on the old airfields; as they crumble into oblivion.
• Keep to good clear pathways and the runways.
• Silence is golden ... so look and listen, not chatter to each other.
• It is better to go first in daylight to get the layout and to see where it is safe to look; and keep only to safe areas. Never walk in long grass if you can help it, be it day or night. Use a stick and poke the ground in front of you if you do have to go in long grass.

The following poem was written in March 1918 in France by Private Cox of the R.A.M.C. and you would be wise to read it and take note. Good Hunting.

He who knows not, and knows he knows not,
He is a child, teach him.
He who knows not, and knows not he knows not,
He is a fool, shun him.
He who knows, and knows not he knows,
He is asleep, awake him.
He who knows, and knows he knows,
He is wise; follow him.