News item | 23-11-2023 | 15:46
The remains found among the wreckage of the British Lancaster ED603 belong to the 3 missing crew members. These are Arthur Smart, Charles Sprack and Edward Moore. Laboratory research in Soesterberg has shown this. The Recovery and Identification Service of the Royal Netherlands Army now provides clarity about the missing persons. For their families in the United Kingdom, a long period of uncertainty about their fate is coming to an end.
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The Lancaster crashed into the IJsselmeer in the early morning of June 13, 1943, after a bombing flight over the Ruhr area. 4 crew members washed up on the shores and were buried in Stavoren, Workum and Hindeloopen. Until now, there has been no trace of Pilot Officers Arthur Smart and Charles Sprack and Flight Sergeant Edward Moore.
Their remains were found during the recovery operation. The Defense aircraft recovery team carried it out between September 5 and October 6, at the request of the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân.
In addition to remains of kite equipment and clothing, the recovery team found 2 silver-plated cigarette cases. It bore the initials of Arthur Smart and Edward Moore. These personal belongings are returned to their families.
Wreck locations
During the Second World War, almost six thousand Allied and German aircraft were lost in the Netherlands. It is very likely that the remains of missing crew members are still present at the wreck sites in around 30 to 50 places in the Netherlands.
The Lancaster ED603 was recovered as part of the National Recovery Program for aircraft wrecks with missing pilots. This program started in 2019. It supports municipalities with such wreck sites with money and advice. The aim of the program is to recover the missing and bury them in a military cemetery. In doing so, they give the surviving relatives the opportunity to end the long period of uncertainty.
It is not yet clear where and when the remains of the three recovered crew members will be buried. This is determined by the British Ministry of Defense together with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
The relatives have now been informed.