'Flak' Houses were the rest homes set up in England during the Second World War by the American Red Cross to provide centres of rest and recuperation for combat-weary airmen. These were usually situated in large country houses where flyers were permitted to wear civilian clothes and partake in a variety of sporting and recreational activities.All told, some 87,000 men passed through the R&R system before it disbanded in 1945. Keith Thomas covers the history of more than 20 Flak Houses in Britain and, in keeping with the theme of After the Battle publications, all are illustrated with 'then and now' comparison photos.