WW2 Archaeology/Digs

marcsignal

Saw this in the Irish Times today. A WW2 spitfire has been recovered from a Donegal bog. Apparently in great condition .

A SPITFIRE fighter aircraft that crashed in a Co Donegal bog during the second World War is to be excavated next week with the help of an Army bomb disposal team.

The British fighter was piloted by an American who parachuted from the aircraft before it ditched at Glenshinney bog, Moneydarragh, on the Inishowen peninsula in November 1941.

The pilot, believed to be Roland “Bud” Wolf, was subsequently held for two years at the Curragh detention camp amid a diplomatic row between the Irish and British governments.

Locals are preparing themselves for next Tuesday’s operation involving the Defence Forces, the Garda, archaeologists and haulage lorries. The excavation is being undertaken as part of a BBC programme.

The fighter was carrying ammunition and up to seven Browning machine guns when it crashed.

full article

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0623/1224299454895.html

Anyone know of, or have pics of similar finds here in Ireland, the UK or Europe from recent times ? Or better still, has anyone ever recovered anything themselves ?

Morlar

marcsignal wrote: »

Saw this in the Irish Times today. A WW2 spitfire has been recovered from a Donegal bog. Apparently in great condition .



full article

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0623/1224299454895.html

Anyone know of, or have pics of similar finds here in Ireland, the UK or Europe from recent times ? Or better still, has anyone ever recovered anything themselves ?

I have seen photos down the years of random T-34's, a Panther I believe in Poland, assorted Fw-190's, fighters etc. There was one in the last year of a remarkably well maintained Soviet fighter recovered in a forest (saw the photos in the last few months).

There was one story covered by a programme on bbc a couple of years ago about a fighter recovered from marshland in the uk with 50.cal maching guns intact. I believe they had army bomb disposal on hand to take charge of the guns & ammunition.

One of the most famous was the Graf spree, (including the eagle), I believe this led to a row over ownership as Germany wants it (eagle) on display in a museum.

Morlar

I think I got wires crossed, it was not a soviet fighter I was thinking of - (at least I can't find it now) it must have been this one . . . .

Incredible condition FW 190 found at Leningrad forest in 1990 - (sold to an american collector). No idea if human remains were found or if it was in fact a war grave.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=066_1232643827

Panther - (sold to an american collector).

This case led to a massive controversy as the person who bought it restored, it spending almost a million dollars, then at the point of completion a lawyer (who is also a tank enthusiast) filed a claim saying it was Polish property. Despite it being sold legitimately in the first place ;

http://kielce.gazeta.pl/kielce/1,88614,9241320,Ale_historia__Slad_wraku_pantery_prowadzi_CBS_do_USA.html



big thread about it here :
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=501277