There is the lost bombard of World War II after 82 years
Aegeantec divers discovered the Baltimore bomber on the coast of Greece Credit: Aegeantec/Pen News
The divers discover the plane, which was crashed by the Nazis, on the coast of Greece with a British aviator inside.
A World War II bomber, overthrown by the Nazis with a British on board aircraft, has been found after 82 years.
Leslie Norman row, from Gravsend, Kent, was flying on a mission over the Mediterranean when his mud bomber was attacked. The plane, part of the Australian royal air forces (RAAF), collapsed on the Greek island of Anticythera, where Mr. Row and two friends lost their lives.
After almost 82 years of uncertainty, divers discovered the 61 -meter bombard under the Aegean Sea.
Harry Green, president of the Gomen Branch and Ebbsfleet of the British Royal Legion, said the new plane « died on behalf of his country ».
He added: « This in itself says it all. He has given up on his life, he has given up his future and his entire family. It took a long time to find the plane and respect for the people who came out and found it. »
Mr Row, a 25-year-old, flew in his last mission on December 3, 1943, in charge of photographing the Greek coast.
Also killed were the Airline Colin William Walker I Raaf and John Gartside of the Royal Air Force of New Zealand (RNZAF).
Leslie Norman Row was flying his last mission on December 3, 1943, when he and his friends were shot by the Nazis Credit: GRABSEND GRAMMAR via Pen News
The only survivor was the Australian pilot, William Alroy Hugh Horsley, who was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in captivity.
After his release, Mr. Horsley described how they were returning from their mission when they were attacked by two Messerschmitt BF 109.
« With-109s carried out seven attacks, during which the plane was set on the port’s wing, » he wrote later. « The liaison systems were destroyed and the pilot officer Walker and the Gartside officer were injured – to unknown extent. »
A fierce landing followed. “When I regained consciousness, the aircraft plunged into my nose and the seawater was up to the neck.
« I swam over the place where the aircraft immersed, but no one else left the plane, which drowned in water about 300 meters from the northern coast of Anticythera. Then I swam on shore as a fishermen. »
For 81 years, the aircraft remained hidden until Aegeanc, a Greek technical diving group, discovered it last year.
Believing that it was RAAF BALTIMORE FW282 lost, they contacted the Australian Air Force History and Heritage Branch. The identity of the missing aircraft has been confirmed since then.
Marshal chief Marshal Richard Knighton, chief of air staff on the RAF, said the discovery emphasized the long relationship between the three air forces.
« It is an honor to accept the courage of the multinational crew, » Sir Richard said. “This was a generation that embodied the importance of service and friendship.
« Their efforts were the basis on which the RAF continues to maintain the security of the UK at home and abroad. Their feeling of duty inspires future generations of all our air forces. »
Newspaper cutting about Leslie Norman row by reuniting with his father in Egypt before losing credit: GRABSEND GRAMMAR/PEN NEWS
Air marshal Stephen Chappell, the chief of RAAF, hoped the discovery would close, adding: “The efforts of groups as Aegeantec are critical to us in calculating those 3,143 Australian aviators without any grave known by World War II and Korean conflict.
« I am pleased, along with my colleagues from RAF and RNZAF, to know the courage of this combined aviators from our three nations. »
Deputy Marshal Darryn Webb, the chief of Rnzaf, echoed the feeling: « The sacrifice of this bold crew has long been remembered, especially by their families, and we can now honor their last resort with the respect they deserve. »
Mr. Row was born on March 2, 1918, by Albert Edward and Florence Mabel Row. A commemorative biography of his website of Gramsend Grammar School lists him as a former student at the time the district school for boys was.
He says he appeared in a school production by Shakespeare’s Venice trader, he was prefect and played in the first team of the school XV. He left school in 1937 and joined RAF in 1941.
His father, who had served in the trade Navy during World War I, joined the royal Navy reserves during the Second War and the father and son reunited for a while in Egypt, but only a few months later, the young man was killed. He is now commemorated at the Alamein memorial in Egypt.
Kj
