D-day 80 Anniversary Commemoration
Friends of the New Forest Airfields (FONFA) is a charity that was established to remember those who served on the twelve New Forest airfields during World War II and to preserve the heritage and their memory for future generations.
At the time of D-day 1944, there were operational airfields in the New Forest, at Ibsley, Hurn, Beaulieu, Holmsley South, Stoney Cross, Winkton, Lymington, Needs Oar Point, Bisterne and Christchurch. These airfields were crucial to the success of the Normandy Invasion.
Whilst the airfields were operational, over 24,000 military personnel were stationed there and a further 10,000 local civilians were engaged in various support roles; they therefore had a major impact on the local community and we are keen that this should be understood by people of all generations.
In 2024 the country will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-day and we will be commemorating this with a short Service of Remembrance at the Memorial, to which everyone is welcome.
