"The three Squadrons of Polish Spitfires based at RAF Chailey were 302, 308 and 317 Squadrons. For the complete history of RAF Chailey 'Spit & Polish' by Richard Whittle has masses of war time photos, plus colour profiles of the aircraft, and contemporary colour photos of Spitfires on the current airshow circuit. In 1941, following the Battle of Britain, plans were formulated for the attack on Europe, to be known as Operation Hadrian, landing on the Pas de Calais. A need was perceived for at least six more airfields in the Sussex and Kent area. However the Dieppe disaster in 1942 ensured that Operation Hadrian was postponed indefinitely and this gave more time for the build-up of the RAF's resources. A decision was taken to provide a network of rudimentary landing grounds in Southern England, most of which would conform to a standard specification of two metal runways, 1400 and 1600 yards long respectively, with a width of fifty yards and a perimeter track as close as possible in order to keep the area required to a minimum. There were to be two blister hangars initially with provision for a further two and accommodation would be under canvas and in local requisitioned properties. Adequate dispersal was to be provided based on a standard scale of fifty aircraft using each site, and small arms, ammunitions and pyrotechnics would be stored in open dumps, as would bombs, with the proviso that access tracks must be provided for the latter. These landing grounds would be administered by 11 Group, Fighter Command. Most of the surveyed sites were on low quality farming land but the Ministry of Agriculture put up a fight and succeeded in stopping proposals at Shortgate, Hurstpierpoint (for which Coolham was substituted), Henfield, Ripe and Halland (letter to Sussex County Council from the Air Ministry dated 15th September 1942). Named after the Parish in which it is situated, Chailey Advanced Landing Ground was one of 82 possible sites surveyed in 1942, from which 29 were selected for approval. Of these, two were rejected and two held in reserve. In 1944 it was to become one of the most important of all, playing host to the controlling Sector for nine Squadrons in three Wings, based at Chailey, Coolham and Selsey. These three Wings were to provide low cover to the invading forces establishing the Normandy Beach-heads"--Publisher's description.