The B24 recovery was in the IJsselmeer, the largest one in the Netherlands. It’s fresh water.
I’m sorry to say in general getting the missing out was and is not the main objective of
The RNethAF. When draining the land wrecks became visible. In several instances
Kids took wepons and ammunition, so something had to be one by recovering
The wrecks. Alo during digging of canals or building roads in the reclaimed area wreckage
Was removed, but not everything was recovered as to this day wreckage is found by
Farmers. Never the finding if missing aircrew was priority. The B24 case being an
Exeption. Building a dyke to the wreck was done by army engineers so were paid or
By the taxpayer. The work had to be sped up an hurried because of other priorities.
The airframe was very substantial but was almost completely destroyed. The complete
Wing was cut in bits using explosives. For mr Zwanenburg this was one heck if an PR
Campaign and many still feel that the Dutch are leaders in locating missing aircrew, I am sorry
To say that is a myth. That dicumentary is part of this PR too and is usually taken a gospel.
What about the hundreds of missing in known locations that are ignored? It all comes
Down to one thing: money
Cheers
Cees