Department of Defense Searches for Remains During WWII Plane Wreckage News Item

News | July 29, 2024 | 14:29

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of Vickers Wellington The section of the dyke near Holwart, Messerschmitt Near Haarlem. On board Vickers Wellington There are 5 crew members, and the pilot Messerschmitt Because there may be human remains on board, these operations are part of the state’s forward-looking recovery plan.

The recovery of the British aircraft is particularly technically complex. This requires the excavation of nearly 100 meters of seawall. The Ministry of Defense is helped by experts from the National Water Agency and the Water Authority. To ensure that everything is carried out as safely as possible, the construction pit is up to 8 meters deep. There will also be a temporary flood barrier made of sheet pile profiles. This must meet the same requirements as the seawall and retain seawater during storage.

Various defense components

In addition to civilian contractors, several defense agencies are involved in the recovery effort. The Air Force is responsible for clearing the wreckage. The Army’s Recovery and Identification Service is responsible for protecting all remains and attempting to identify them. The Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Agency is removing possible munitions.

The entire operation will take approximately 8 weeks, depending on weather conditions. All work must be completed by October 1.

6,000 aircraft

During World War II, approximately 6,000 aircraft crashed in the Netherlands. This happened both on land and in the water. Most of these have been recovered.

The national promising aircraft recovery program offers the opportunity to carry out recovery at the crash site. This way, the remains of all crew members can be given a final honorable resting place. This gives relatives clarity and peace of mind about the fate of their family members. The national program provides support to municipalities for high aircraft recovery costs.