Daily Life in the RAF at a British Aerodrome on the Western Front

I found these photographs in a copy of the War Illustrated magazine published in January 1940.  They show a rare glimpse of life on the aerodromes occupied by the AASF and defended by the guns of the 157th Battery in the Champagne Region of France.  Although not possible to idnetify the location it may be Auberive or Juvigny.

A Fairey Battle Bomber is parked in the open.  The snow forms a natural camouflage, but the Royal Air Force has also used special camouflage for autumn and for winter when trees are bare.

Close up of the Fairey Battle in its dispersal site on an aerodrome on the Western Front.

After a cup of tea may come an impromptu sing-song such as these men are enjoying.  The word "hot" is painted on the stove as kindly advice to visitors to keep their hands off.

These men in their quarters at a British aerodrome in France are upholding the belief that the English are a nation of tea drinkers.  Besides the boiling kettle the teapot and the tin mugs being always in request, innumerable cups of tea are supplied at the many NAAFI canteens in France.

The tea being welcomed in the photograph above is being carried up from a dug out.