Today the investigation started into an American B-17 bomber, about 5 to 10 kilometers off the coast of Texel. Divers from the Ministry of Defense hope to clarify exactly which aircraft it is in order to give the relatives clarity. They work together with their American colleagues.
With a vessel, the researchers set out from the Marinehaven of Den Helder on their way to the crash site. Sonar images are first made there to see how the device is positioned. They hope to eventually be able to find out which B-17 it is, although there is already a strong suspicion.
It is probably an aircraft of which one of the crew members was washed up on Terschelling after the crash. The other nine men probably ended up at the bottom of the sea by plane. The Ministry of Defense hopes that this investigation will provide the relatives of the crew with more clarity about their history.
Americans
The investigation, for the time being it concerns an inventory, will take place this and next week. It is possible that the aircraft will eventually be recovered. For this, Defense consults with colleagues from America. Whether it is possible depends on many factors, such as the condition of the aircraft.