The water is shallow at only two metres but everything is in a metre of soft mud with no visibility.

but the sea is tidal, so is it uncovered during neap (low) tides?

Congratulations, Cees for doing the right thing for our lads and only wish it didn’t always seem that the RAF/MoD/CWGC seem so reluctant to get involved.

What I would like to see is that, when a report of sites being excavated is known, the British Government immediately steps in and “asks” that Country to secure the area, so that no identification objects are removed.

If such items appear for auction, all parties buyer and seller, can be arrested. unless prior provenance exists.

It’s the trade and potential rewards for such artefacts that destroys any chance of according those soldiers the dignity of their true identity. I’m not saying that of CeBro, but of those excuses for lifeforms that rob graves. – Sorry, rant over….

Perhaps there should be a compensation scheme where expenses incurred can be paid when wrecks are located, with 2second” call on possession of objects found if not “wanted” by the relatives, RAF etc….

For some reason(s) the UK seems very reluctant to get deeply involved in recovering crew remains without being cattle prodded into it.

ssgkeay has been involved in one recently, there are 15 sets of remains from WW1 found at Beauchamps Ligne (probably Yorks and Lancs) but nothing about them in UK newspapers.

I don’t suppose the Dutch Gov’t can claim it’s a shipping hazard and it’s not like the draining of the dikes when the wrecks and remains had to be recovered, so I don’t know what can be done, unless there is a suitcase of money when an MP might get interested!

Congratulations on a Sterling (!) effort. Peter: “that chap?” Looks like a chapess to me…!

PS, and apologies for off thread: I now understand more clearly about the old Dutch diver joke!!

Photo #3 seems to have a caption on bottom RHS “Friesland 1940”, so fits completely with P4324

Firebex: Have you, or the RBL Branch that built and “operated” it, approached the RBL to use the Spitfire for the enquiries you have had?

If the previous chap has now gone, and in view of 70th anniversary of the BoB, surely the RBL must recognise that this year could be a record money spinner for them?

As you say, at least allow people willing to give up their time on behalf of the RBL use the thing instead of letting it just sit on the tarmac where it is not doing any good at all!!
If the RBL are still unhappy with it, why won’t they give it back to the Branch that built it and let them carry on?

If ever a Spitfire display is going to attract crowds of visitors who could join RBL, plus donations, it has to be this anniversary year!!
Even they must appreciate that! Hope to hear that it at least going to be on tour this year!

…..was killed when he was unintentionally ejected from Harrier GR5 ZD325 near Boscombe Down. Harrier ZD325 flew on west for nearly two hours, during which time it was shadowed by a USAF transport aircraft after failing to respond to radio calls…..

Did they not notice the canopy missing? Who did they expect to answer their radio calls?

kev35: I’ve been away in Spain and just caught up with the last months postings.

Firstly congratulations on your superb detective work to make this enquiry into such and absorbing thread. It deserves to be a testament to the power of the internet to cross the bounds of Nationality when all were drawn together to fight a common enemy.

Secondly I am so pleased that your efforts have resulted in Dominiques family receiving the long overdue medals that he earned by paying the ultimate sacrifice. Such a pity that in these cash strapped times the medals could not have been handed over by a RAF officer in a formal ceremony, such as when C de G’s are presented by the French government to UK recipients. (That’s Croix de Guerre not Charles Big Nose!!)

I do hope Sandra will return to let us know when the medals are received and any further developments.

I salute you for your efforts and the success that you deserve in unearthing so much information as to bring his memory to life.

Well done mate, from one Kev to another!!

The bankers are complaining that if Brown taxes them, they’ll leave. Fine, slap on a 100% tax on all bonuses and profits until debts owed to UK taxpayers (us!) are repaid (at 19% interest) plus a 100% exit tax on their UK asset values if they pull out, amending only to 90% if they relocate to Argentina and do the same mess for their economy!! And they can help the Argentinian cartographers too!! Both have the same dream world!

If accurate, surely this is a stupid over reaction, particularly as he was sitting next to his pregnant wife….. so he will have a kid of his own to look after…. if he doesn’t complain, someone may deduce incorrectly that he may be a paedophile and suddenly Social Services may step in to remove THEIR child from their care, all because of this.
I frequently travel with my wife who prefers the window seat or with extra leg room and I’d therefore be in the same situation. It’s not me who should move if I am travelling with my wife, a seat should be found elsewhere for the “lone” child.
Are cabin crew vetted for suitability and pass the appropriate checks?
A lack of common sense from this member of the cabin crew.
If both he and his wife had spoken up that they were travelling together the appropriate action would have been to move the child, not immediately take offence.
I hope he wins