The 158 Squadron Memorial
By a quiet roadside in the East Riding of Yorkshire stands a fitting tribute to some of the heroes of World War II.
Crafted in weathering steel, raised on a small knoll, a 7-man bomber crew walk towards the viewer, heading east on yet another mission. The figures are in silhouette and so, when viewed from the other side, they appear to be returning to the airfield. The silhouettes reveal their flying jackets, boots and parachutes. Only their faces are cut out in the steel to show the mix of emotions running through these young men.
The strangely coincidental 851 names of those killed are etched randomly into the bodies, to better reflect the haphazard nature of death. It’s a lot of names but a manageable number when searching for one in particular. It deliberately slows down the visitor and creates more reflection.
The dramatic backdrop for this memorial is a 12-turbine windfarm - huge propeller blades revolve again - ironically and yet fittingly manufactured in Germany, from the very areas that 158 Squadron devastated in 1945. This is the perfect testimony to the peace in Europe that the heroes of 158 helped to create and that we now all enjoy and take so much for granted.
May the memorial help us to remember that our present and our future are built on our past.
Today’s freedom has come at a price.
By a quiet roadside in the East Riding of Yorkshire stands a fitting tribute to some of the heroes of World War II.
Crafted in weathering steel, raised on a small knoll, a 7-man bomber crew walk towards the viewer, heading east on yet another mission. The figures are in silhouette and so, when viewed from the other side, they appear to be returning to the airfield. The silhouettes reveal their flying jackets, boots and parachutes. Only their faces are cut out in the steel to show the mix of emotions running through these young men.
The strangely coincidental 851 names of those killed are etched randomly into the bodies, to better reflect the haphazard nature of death. It’s a lot of names but a manageable number when searching for one in particular. It deliberately slows down the visitor and creates more reflection.
The dramatic backdrop for this memorial is a 12-turbine windfarm - huge propeller blades revolve again - ironically and yet fittingly manufactured in Germany, from the very areas that 158 Squadron devastated in 1945. This is the perfect testimony to the peace in Europe that the heroes of 158 helped to create and that we now all enjoy and take so much for granted.
May the memorial help us to remember that our present and our future are built on our past.
Today’s freedom has come at a price.
