麻豆社

Matt Baker discovers the Second World War secrets of the Peak District.

Nestled away in the Peak District are two Second World War 'training grounds'. The first is the Derwent Valley, with the wide open dam that heard the roar of Lancaster bombers as they prepared for the historic Dambuster raids.

The second is the lesser known Burbage Valley, where in secrecy, British and Canadian troops were trained for war, leaving their battle scars across the landscape. Burbage Valley is also home to one of the first bomber decoys in the country. In an extroadinary bid to distract German bombers, a mini-Sheffield was built. This hoax site comprised an elaborate arrangement of lights and fires contained in baskets and trenches that were designed to replicate Sheffield's railway marshalling yards as seen from the air at night. This 'model city' was set into action by brave Sheffield men who had to run straight into the decoy to activate it, knowing full well that if they were successful it could mean that they were running to their own graves.