Britain’s Roswell

On December 26-28, 1980, US Air Force personnel at RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge encountered UFOs in Rendlesham Forest. Staff Sergeant Jim Penniston touched the triangular craft and noted hieroglyphic-like symbols.

The Bases

Twin installations:

• RAF Bentwaters
• RAF Woodbridge
• US Air Force operated
• Nuclear weapons stored
• Suffolk, England

Night One

December 26, 1980:

• Strange lights reported
• Security patrol sent
• Penniston and Burroughs
• Entered forest
• Found craft

Sergeant Penniston

Staff Sergeant:

• Security supervisor
• Approached object
• Touched surface
• Noted symbols
• Key witness

The Craft

Penniston described:

• Triangular shape
• About 9 feet across
• Black, glassy surface
• Strange symbols
• Warm to touch

The Symbols

He observed:

• Hieroglyphic-like markings
• On craft’s surface
• Sketched them
• Later photographed sketches
• Detailed observation

Night Two

December 27, 1980:

• Lights returned
• Lt. Col. Halt investigated
• Audio recording made
• Radiation readings
• Extended encounter

The Halt Memo

Official document:

• January 13, 1981
• To UK Ministry of Defence
• Documented events
• Multiple witnesses
• Military record

The Recording

Halt made audio:

• Real-time observations
• Excitement clear
• Multiple objects described
• Historic document
• Still exists

Radiation Evidence

Readings taken:

• Elevated levels
• At landing site
• Ground traces found
• Physical evidence
• Documented

The Binary Code

Penniston later claimed:

• Received mentally
• Binary message
• Wrote it down
• Controversial addition
• Decoded

Ongoing Interest

Case remains:

• Heavily investigated
• Multiple witnesses
• Documentary subjects
• Books written
• Never resolved

Significance

One of the most significant military UFO encounters with official documentation, physical traces, and credible witnesses.

Legacy

Rendlesham stands as Britain’s most important UFO case, with the official memorandum ensuring it cannot be dismissed as mere fantasy.