Avro Lancaster of 61 Squadron to be recovered from Dutch lake

[Nigel H-J]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40852656

Nigel.

[Vancouver]

I am of the opinion that if it has human remains on board, it should be left alone as a war grave. What value is there in recovery?

[Airspeed]

Looks like it's a radial-engined version, which makes it a little unusual.
If the remains of the crew member are in the wreck, I don't see a problem, as long as they are handled respectfully.

[Archer]

The site where the wreck lies was used as a rubbish tip after the war and now this needs to be cleared for environmental reasons. As Vancouver stated, it is indeed a war grave but the soil contamination cannot be dealt with unless the wreckage of the aircraft is removed. It is hoped that the remains of the tailgunner, the only crewmember still posted as missing, will be found during that operation so that he can be given a proper grave.

So it is nothing to do with the aircraft wreckage's value. As with the previous recovery operation in The Netherlands (a Wellington that was on the bottom of the IJsselmeer) the site will be prepared by a specialist company and the recovery department of the Dutch Air Force will handle the wreckage and remains (if found).

[FlyTexas]

A rubbish tip. I do hope they find the tailgunners remains. A proper burial is the least he deserves.

Brian

[Archer]

Indeed.

I don't know the details, the rubbish tip may have been next to the crash site or near it, but it was close enough to cause the wreckage to be in the way of the cleanup operation.