How Feasible Would It Be to Find and Salvage Planes from the Battle of Britain in the English Channel?

The English Channel has a rich history of wartime activity, particularly during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Dive beneath the waters, and you'll find countless pieces of history, including the wreckage of planes from that pivotal conflict. This article explores the feasibility and challenges of recovering and restoring such aircraft, focusing on the Dornier Do-17 bomber found in the Channel.

Purpose of Salvaging WWII Planes

The English Channel hides a vast array of corroding metal debris, primarily aircraft from World War II. While these remnants are intriguing, they are not particularly useful for recovery in the majority of cases. The Battle of Britain marks a significant era with several special wartime aircraft that have withstood the test of time and now lie beneath the Channel's waters. Bringing them back to the surface is possible, but it comes with considerable financial and temporal expenses.

Salvaging the Dornier Do-17 from the Goodwin Sands

A few years ago, a rare Dornier Do-17 medium bomber was discovered in the English Channel. This particular plane, lost after ditching during the Battle of Britain, represents a ‘complete’ version in existence, though significantly corroded from 80 years underwater. The plane is now being meticulously restored at RAF Cosford, the site of the Imperial War Museum. This process, however, is a testament to the rarity and historical significance of such finds.

Most planes shot down during the Battle of Britain crashed into the sea, often leading to the destruction of the airframe. Those that survived a more gentle impact can still be in poor condition, with wooden and fabric components deteriorating over time. Even the all-metal aircraft of the era had fabric sections that wouldn't survive the decades underwater.

Other Discoveries and Restorations

Not every wartime discovery is from the Battle of Britain, but the discovery of a complete Me-262 jet fighter in Croatia is a notable exception. This ultra-rare aircraft was found essentially intact and is slated for salvage and restoration. YouTube videos document this rare find and the planned restoration efforts.

In 2013, a Dornier 17 was successfully recovered from the shallow waters of the Goodwin Sands. This was a significant operation involving heavy lift cranes and floating platform barges. Now, a piece of history sits undergoing restoration at RAF Cosford, being the only known example of its kind.

Feasibility of Future Salvages

Salvaging and restoring aircraft from the English Channel is feasible, but it requires substantial funding and the approval of the War Graves Commission. Care must also be taken to avoid unexploded ordnance, which is common in these areas.

The case of the Dornier Do-17 Z2, serial number 1160, is particularly instructive. This plane, which belonged to Staffel 7 of Kampfgeschwader 3, ditched in the Channel on August 26, 1940, after being shot down by Defiants of the RAF. The pilot, Feldwebel Willi Effmert, and his observer survived the ditching and were rescued, while two crew members later died. Reassembling such a plane after 80 years takes extensive effort and time.

Conclusion

While salvaging and restoring aircraft from the Battle of Britain in the English Channel presents a myriad of challenges, they are not insurmountable. Each recovery and restoration effort contributes to our understanding of this historic period and ensures that these pieces of history remain accessible for generations to come. As technology and resources continue to improve, the possibilities for future wartime aircraft recovery operations become even more promising.