LIFE in Oxford went on much as normal during the Second World War.

But there was one constant reminder that Britain was at war with Germany – the huge amount of aircraft activity.

Derrick Holt remembers that families were subjected to almost constant noise in the air.

He writes: “At the start of the war, a newspaper published a batch of aircraft silhouettes of both friend and foe, no doubt so that you would get an idea whether you were in danger or not.

“There were few aircraft about in those early days, but I did manage, using the chart, to identify an Avro Anson and an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley on that first day.

“As the war progressed and with a large number of airfields being built around Oxford, volume and variety of aircraft greatly increased, with a surge when the Americans arrived.

“In time, you could identify a machine by its sound, and when German aircraft flew over Oxford en route to the Midlands, the throb of their Jumo engines meant you knew, straight away, that they were not friendly.“

Mr Holt, of Fortnam Close, Headington, recalls that 2,500 de Havilland Tiger Moths were built at Cowley, many fighter planes were flight-tested there after repairs at the works, and that Army pilots were trained to fly the small Hotspur gliders at Kidlington aerodrome.

He also remembers the huge dump for ruined aircraft in Watlington Road.

“Whenever a low-loader passed with a plane with swastikas on, a cheer would go up.

“At one time, a damaged Junkers Ju 88 was parked in St Giles for people to view.

“One evening, I was fire-watching on the roof of Hartwells, in Park End Street, Oxford, when an Avro Anson flew past to the west with all its lights flashing and with shell fire exploding around it – I hate to think what happened to it.”

For enthusiasts, there was also the thrill of spotting new aircraft, which were on the secret list.

Mr Holt writes: “You could always recognise something special when it turned up, as was the case with the brilliant de Havilland Mosquito.”

He also recalls the appearance of the North American Mustang, “arguably the finest interceptor fighter produced by any nation during the war”.

Any other memories of wartime aircraft to share with Memory Lane readers? Write in and let me know.