London Air Defence Area

History

The London Air Defence Area (LADA) was the name given to the organisation created to defend London from the increasing threat from enemy airships during World War I. Formed in September 1915, it was commanded initially by Admiral Sir Percy Scott, a controversial figure, responsible for major advances in naval gunnery techniques, but also accused of insubordination and profiting from his inventions.

Airfields

At the end of the war, the following airfields came under the direct control of LADA:

Station Name	Branch	Grid Reference	Station Opened	Station Closed	Squadrons	Current Use	External Link
Stow Maries		TQ83189955				Agriculture. Most buildings still present.	Stow Maries Airfield
Goldhanger		TL90450885
Hainault Farm		TQ46759105				Agriculture / light industry. Hangers still present.	Hainault Farm Airfield
Bekesbourne		TR20055545				Housing / agriculture
Mattishall		TG06801155				Agriculture	Mattishall Airfield
Tydd St Mary		TF34451855	Aug 1917	May 1919	B Flt, 51 Sqn
Marham
Rochford
Hadleigh
Elmswell
Suttons Farm
Throwley
Biggin Hill
Detling

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Christopher Cole and E.F. Cheeseman, The Air Defence of Britain, 1914-1918, 1984, Hungry Minds Inc, ISBN 978-0370305387
• Peter G Cooksley, Aviation Enthusiasts' Guide To London & The South-East, PSL, 1982, ISBN 0-85059-533-9