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WW2 Lancaster bomber returns from Germany to home base | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The wreckage of a Lancaster bomber that crashed in Germany during World War Two has been brought back to the airfield from which it flew. | The wreckage of a Lancaster bomber that crashed in Germany during World War Two has been brought back to the airfield from which it flew. |
The Lancaster PD214 set off on what was meant to be the crew's last operational mission from RAF Metheringham in Lincolnshire in October 1944. | The Lancaster PD214 set off on what was meant to be the crew's last operational mission from RAF Metheringham in Lincolnshire in October 1944. |
But the plane lost contact with the base and it never returned and the crew was listed as missing. | But the plane lost contact with the base and it never returned and the crew was listed as missing. |
Earlier this year, the remains were found beneath a field near Bremen. | Earlier this year, the remains were found beneath a field near Bremen. |
The find came after family members of one of the crew asked the German authorities for permission to carry out an archaeological excavation at the site before a planned building scheme began. | The find came after family members of one of the crew asked the German authorities for permission to carry out an archaeological excavation at the site before a planned building scheme began. |
Eight crew members lost their lives in the crash - but only two of their bodies were recovered. | Eight crew members lost their lives in the crash - but only two of their bodies were recovered. |
Julie Barton, granddaughter of crew member flight engineer Ronald Barton, said the German authorities had been really helpful in dealing with the family's request. | Julie Barton, granddaughter of crew member flight engineer Ronald Barton, said the German authorities had been really helpful in dealing with the family's request. |
Speaking at Metheringham airfield during a visit to see the wreckage, she said: "It's been an incredibly emotional day to see the place the plane took off from in 1944. | Speaking at Metheringham airfield during a visit to see the wreckage, she said: "It's been an incredibly emotional day to see the place the plane took off from in 1944. |
"To walk into what would have been the gymnasium at the time and see the parts of the plane laid out in front of us was very emotional." | "To walk into what would have been the gymnasium at the time and see the parts of the plane laid out in front of us was very emotional." |
Rod Sanders, curator at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre, said: "You could say, spiritually, we've brought the boys home to Metheringham." | Rod Sanders, curator at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre, said: "You could say, spiritually, we've brought the boys home to Metheringham." |
Describing the aircraft's last flight, Mr Sanders said: "She took off on the evening of the 6/7 October 1944 to carry out a raid on the docks at Bremen. | Describing the aircraft's last flight, Mr Sanders said: "She took off on the evening of the 6/7 October 1944 to carry out a raid on the docks at Bremen. |
"Sadly, on the return trip she got a few miles south of Bremen and was shot down, crashing in a field close to the village of Cloppenburg." | "Sadly, on the return trip she got a few miles south of Bremen and was shot down, crashing in a field close to the village of Cloppenburg." |
RAF Metheringham was the wartime home to 106 Squadron. | RAF Metheringham was the wartime home to 106 Squadron. |
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