Entre céu e memória
Between sky and memory
Há lugares que moldam o destino sem serem vistos.
A RAF Rufforth, em Yorkshire, foi um desses lugares discreta mas vital, onde se formavam tripulações e se traçavam rotas de coragem.
Foi dali que, numa noite de novembro de 1942, partiu o bombardeiro Halifax BB209 NP-G, rumo a Turim.
Não regressaria. O seu último voo terminaria entre as árvores de Morkery Wood, perto de Castle Bytham.
🇬🇧
Some places shape destiny without being seen.
RAF Rufforth, in Yorkshire, was one of those places discreet yet vital, where crews were trained and routes of courage were drawn.
It was from there that, on a November night in 1942, the Halifax BB209 NP-G bomber took off, bound for Turin.
It would not return. Its final flight ended among the trees of Morkery Wood, near Castle Bytham.
🛩️ RAF Rufforth: Base de formação e missão
Inaugurada em novembro de 1942, a RAF Rufforth possuía três pistas de betão, hangares tipo T2 e alojamento para mais de 1.500 militares.
Foi sede do 158 Squadron RAF, que operava bombardeiros Halifax em missões sobre Itália.
Mais tarde, tornou-se centro de formação para tripulações pesadas, preparando jovens para voos de combate.
🇬🇧
On the night of 18 November 1942, Halifax BB209 departed Rufforth bound for Turin.
It was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Stocken Hall Farm, within Morkery Wood.
The crew included members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
The crash site remains unmarked, but its memory lives on among trails and roots.
Sete Paraquedas sobre Castle Bytham A História Real do Halifax BB209
Na madrugada de 19 de novembro de 1942, o céu sobre Castle Bytham foi cortado por um rugido distante.
O Halifax BB209 NP-G, vindo de uma missão sobre Turim, Itália, regressava à base RAF Rufforth quando foi atingido por fogo antiaéreo.
Ferido, perdeu altitude. Mas antes da queda, sete homens saltaram de paraquedas — sete decisões em segundos, sete vidas que escolheram a esperança.
O avião caiu perto de Stocken Hall Farm, entre campos e casas.
Não houve vítimas civis.
A floresta de Morkery Wood tornou-se guardiã do que restou — metal, silêncio e memória.
🇬🇧
In the early hours of 19 November 1942, the skies above Castle Bytham were pierced by a distant roar.
The Halifax BB209 NP-G, returning from a mission over Turin, Italy, was hit by anti-aircraft fire as it headed back to RAF Rufforth.
Wounded, it lost altitude. But before the crash, seven men parachuted to safety — seven split-second choices, seven lives that chose hope.
The aircraft crashed near Stocken Hall Farm, among fields and homes.
No civilians were harmed.
The woodland of Morkery Wood became the keeper of what remained — metal, silence, and memory.
Os nomes dos tripulantes sobreviveram nos registos:
Benford, Heweston, Ledger, Smith, Rees, Howe, Griffen.
Homens que caíram do céu, mas não da vida.
A sua história é um lembrete de que, mesmo em tempos sombrios, há momentos em que a sorte e a coragem se encontram.
🇬🇧
The names of the crew live on in records:
Benford, Heweston, Ledger, Smith, Rees, Howe, Griffen.
Men who fell from the sky, but not from life.
Their story is a reminder that even in dark times, there are moments where luck and courage meet.
Known Crew Members of Halifax BB209 NP-G
All held the rank of Sergeant. Their specific roles are not confirmed in public records, but they likely correspond to the categories above:
- Sgt. S. M. Benford – confirmed as Pilot
- Sgt. E. Heweston
- Sgt. R. V. Ledger
- Sgt. M. Smith
- Sgt. M. Rees
- Sgt. F. C. Howe
- Sgt. J. R. Griffen
Pilot – Responsible for flying and navigating the aircraft
Flight Engineer – Managed engine performance and assisted the pilot
Navigator – Calculated routes, headings, and timing for the mission
Bomb Aimer (Air Bomber)- Aimed and released bombs; often operated the front gun turret
Wireless Operator – Handled radio communications and signals
Mid-Upper Gunner – Operated the gun turret on top of the aircraft
Rear Gunner (Tail Gunner) – Defended the aircraft from attacks from behind
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