A Defense team has been trying in recent days to get a good picture of a crashed bomber about 7.5 kilometers off the coast of Texel. The first sonar images already showed that a large amount of sand has settled on the wreck. Further research makes it clear that it is now not possible to determine which aircraft it is.
Defense conducted the research at the request of the American Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which searches for missing and killed soldiers all over the world. Five years ago, the wreck from the Second World War was also looked at. In the meantime, so much sand has landed on the device that it is impossible for divers to get to it.
The Americans hoped to be able to find out exactly which aircraft was involved by checking serial numbers on aircraft parts. They then inform relatives with that information. Even after more than 80 years, this is still important information for many of them.
B-17
On Texel they suspect that it is the B17 bomber ‘Mister Five by Five’. One crew member from that aircraft washed ashore on Terschelling. The rest of the 9-person crew is probably still on board the aircraft. The investigation is currently closed. If it later becomes clear that the sea has washed the sand off the aircraft again, and the Ministry of Defense receives a report, the investigation may be resumed.