After lying undetected beneath the Aegean Sea for over eight decades, the wreckage of a Second World War bomber, the Baltimore FW282, was discovered near the Greek island of Antikythera. The aircraft, shot down by Nazi fighters in December 1943, was found submerged 61 meters below sea level by AegeanTec, a Greek technical diving team specializing in exploring underwater wrecks.
The discovery, verified by military heritage experts, brought closure to the families of the three fallen airmen and was hailed as a moment of remembrance. "It's an honor to acknowledge the bravery of the multinational crew," said Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff at the Royal Air Force (RAF), according to The Economic Times. He added, "This was a generation who embodied the importance of service and comradeship."
The bomber was carrying a multinational Allied crew of four airmen from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. On board were Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Flight Lieutenant William Alroy Hugh Horsley (navigator), RAF Flight Lieutenant Leslie Norman Row, RAAF Pilot Officer Colin William Walker, and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Warrant Officer John Gartside. Only one crew member, Flight Lieutenant Horsley, survived the crash.
"When I regained consciousness, the aircraft was submerged at the nose, and sea water was up to my neck. I released my safety harness, stood up and the aircraft submerged under me," wrote Horsley, recalling the harrowing events of that day, according to The Economic Times. He swam over the spot where the aircraft sank but did not see any of his fellow crew members. "The Me-109s delivered seven attacks, during which the aircraft was set on fire in the port wing. The intercommunications systems were destroyed, and Pilot Officer Walker and Warrant Officer Gartside were wounded—extent unknown," he stated.
The aircraft sank in deep water about 300 yards from the northern shore of Antikythera. Horsley was eventually rescued by fishermen but was captured by German forces and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war.
The Baltimore FW282 was part of the RAAF's No. 454 Squadron. On December 3, 1943, the bomber was returning from a reconnaissance mission to photograph the Greek coast when it came under attack from two Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter planes.
The discovery of the wreck was recognized by senior officials from the RAAF, RAF, and the RNZAF. "This aircraft discovery is significant and offers the chance to provide closure to families," said Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Chief of the RAAF, as reported by The Travel. He added, "I am pleased, alongside my colleagues from the RAF and RNZAF, to acknowledge the bravery of this combined crew of aviators from our three nations."
"The sacrifice of this brave crew has long been remembered, especially by their families, and we can now honor their final resting place with the respect they deserve. I hope this will bring some sense of closure for the families," stated Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, Chief of the RNZAF, according to Yahoo News.
In Gravesend, Kent, the hometown of 25-year-old navigator Flight Lieutenant Leslie Norman Row, the news resonated deeply. "He died in the name of his country," said Harry Green, president of the Gravesham and Ebbsfleet branch of the Royal British Legion, sharing a heartfelt tribute to young airman Row. He added, "He's given up his life, he's given up his future, and all his family. It's taken a long time to find the plane, and respect to the people who have gone out and found it," as reported by Yahoo News.
A memorial service is being planned to honor Flight Lieutenant Row, Pilot Officer Walker, and Warrant Officer Gartside, allowing family members to say a proper goodbye to their brave relatives lost so many years ago.
Despite the bomber being discovered, there are no plans to retrieve the plane that has been sitting on the ocean floor for more than eight decades. Reasons for not retrieving the planes include the depth making it too difficult to retrieve the plane, the damage the plane received making it hard to bring it to the surface intact, and the fact that the government still owns the planes and would have to give permission to raise them from the deep, according to The Travel.
"Their efforts were the base on which the RAF continues to maintain the security of the UK at home and abroad. Their sense of duty inspires future generations of all of our air forces," said Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, reflecting on the legacy of the crew, according to The Economic Times.
The announcement of the wreck's identification was made jointly by senior officials from the RAAF, RAF, and RNZAF. The discovery served as a reminder of the longstanding relationship between the three air forces, providing a moment of reflection for three nations bound by a common sacrifice.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.