Halifax Night Mission

My father piloted a Halifax bomber for the RCAF in WWII and I wanted to recreate the feeling of one of his crew's many night missions over Germany. These were young men who were part of huge bombing streams, sometimes singled out by German anti-aircraft gun crews with searchlights. The bombers traveled to the target in total darkness until the Pathfinders lit up the target with flares. Suddenly they could see each other's planes all around them and there was a tense jockeying for a safe position from which to drop their load of bombs. Making things considerably more dangerous were the German fighter pilots who would single out bombers for vicious attacks. The only safety for the bombers was in their heavy numbers.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• WWII
• Halifax bomber
• night bombing
• bomb raid
• bomber pilot
• flight crew
• animation
• CGI

[nick21sammy]

great stuff. pitty about american accents

[filmjeff0]

@nick21sammy

Sorry my son and his friends don't have my Canadian accent but they were the same age as my father when he flew missions like this.

[nffc07]

Amazing Stuff and extremely helpful. I'm about to visit the restored Halifax RCAF Trenton next week. Also, working on a film project about an RCAF Lancaster crew from the 426 Thunderbirds with the famous skipper, Roger Coulombe a.k.a The Berlin Kid. My great uncle was the mid-upper gunner, Stanley Mackenzie DFC and BAR. Thanks so much for this, it brings the experience to life. Cheers, D Mackenzie TORONTO

[filmjeff0]

@nffc07

I visited the Halifax at Trenton when they had the grand opening. It's a beautiful aircraft and it was lovingly restored.

[quertydinner]

Love this clip.. Can you please tell me who the music at the start is composed or performed by- it's fabulous. many regards. d.

[filmjeff0]

@quertydinner

The music is "Night on Bald Mountain" by Modest Mussorgsky, although I did some heavy editing to make it work for my film.

[82LUFT]

Excellently done, Jeff. I really felt as if I was in the bomber during the the hair raising raid. You couldn't have chosen a finer musical back round score to highten the dramatic mood of the bombing sequence. It's very hard (although a true fact) that 30% of the crews never made it back. Such uniquely brave men.

Many thanks for sharing, sir.

[SuperAlfie666]

i love your vids their amazing

[ChristopherDB83]

This is amazing. My uncle was a Canadian tail gunner on a Halifax, assigned to 10 Sqn. RAF. He was shot down over Holland, after a raid on Essen in 1943. Spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft III.

[LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH]

Canadians take note! The Brits have not forgotten the brave Canadians who left their homeland to come to Britain's aid in WW2. It is beyond any doubt that without Canada's stalwart support in both world wars, Britain would have been defeated. Canadians should be tremendously proud of their nation and it's willingness to fight for freedom, & pay the blood price. I know I certainly am. It is Britain's priviledge to have such a superb ally. HUGE RESPECT & THANK YOU CANADA!

[LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH]

@filmjeff0 This is an awesome piece of work & a fitting tribute to the RCAF crews who fought in RAF Bomber Command. These men will never be forgotten. At long last, Britain is finally honouring BC with a memorial in London. I have photo's of a memorial cairn to an RCAF Halifax which crashed in the Lake District on Great Carrs ridge, whilst on a training flight in Dec 44. Send me your email add & I will send them. I also have photo's of the Halifax at RAF Elvington. Bravo Canada!

[TheVonpaulus69]

That, my friend is a great peice of film.

My dad was a flt/engineer on the Halifax bomber with 434 Squadron, he would have loved to see your film. I have put a piece on You Tube with him talking about 434 Squadron. just type in 434 squadron ...my dad.

Again....well done mate.