A SPECIAL video has been created by a West Fife father and son to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first German air attack on Britain of World War II on Thursday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpWzZ2Ekxwg On 16th October 1939, German planes took part in the Forth Bridge Raid, targeting the Royal Navy fleet and base at Rosyth.

The attack damaged three ships, killing 16 Royal Navy crew and wounding 44.

RAF Spitfires intercepted the raiders and in the aerial dogfight shot down the first German aircraft downed over Britain in the war.

Now Fife College lecturer Colin Maxwell (43) and son Calum (14), together with Air Cadets from 1145 (Dunfermline) Squadron at Rosyth, have researched and produced a documentary video recreating the drama of that day.

Colin, who teaches digital media at the Halbeath campus, started working on the film in March as “an interesting little project” after Queen Anne pupil Calum mentioned the raid in passing.

He said, “My son is in the Air Cadets and has an interest in historic aircraft.

“He went through a stage when he was really interested in Spitfires and had read in a book somewhere about the air raid.

“It got me interested and I thought it would be cool to do a film about it – it’s something a lot of people don’t know about.” Colin, who previously made a film about the archaeological dig at Dunfermline Carnegie Library last year, then got the Air Cadets involved, with the youngsters modelling aircraft for the film’s special effects sequences – “because we have limited historical footage to go on!” They carried out research online, at ‘The Forth at War’ exhibition in Burntisland and spoke to people who remembered the events of that day – uncovering fascinating stories along the way.

Colin related, “The German bombers in the raid were shot down by part-time RAF pilots, one a farmer and the other a solicitor.

“As the Spitfires attacked, hot shell casings fell down across the countryside and the dress of a woman waiting at Dalmeny railway station caught fire.

“Military aircraft based at Donibristle got caught up in the air raid and were at first thought to be enemy fighters.

“One lady we spoke to remembered that there was a spiritualist in Crossgates, round the corner from the ice-cream shop, and people who had lost loved ones in the war would go to her hoping to hear from ‘the other side’.” Although the video stands on its own, Colin admitted it’s only about 20 per cent finished.

He said, “We would like to have had it done in time for the 75th anniversary but it’s a personal project.

“It comes at an important time and commemorates 75 years since the event.

“The Air Cadets are really excited about it. Calum helped put the video footage together so he’s learnt quite a lot. Recently, a group captain who visited the squadron asked about it as well and came up with suggestions of people to speak to.

“We want to get people who can tell their stories – we’ve already spoken to a couple of people who are in their late 80s who remember the bombing.

“It’d be good to talk to people from the area and put it in the film.” To contact Colin, log on to forthraid.wordpress.com.