Home Bases

Book excerpt: Home Bases: Memories & Stories of US Military Bases Around London is a book that, for the first time, puts the spotlight on the history of many of the US Military's lesser known command and support bases that were located either in or close to London, England. The bases (often known as 'Little Americas') are furthermore brought to life in a series of 'snapshot' memories by around 40 people who either served, worked or were involved in everything from establishing them to demolishing them. The book is a 'swords to ploughshares' look at the bases as they proliferated through WWII and the Cold War before many were closed and handed back to Britain's Ministry of Defence which, subsequently, has sold a number of sites on for redevelopment as housing and mixed-use destinations. Home Bases is, in essence a love letter to those places and times.