Missing World War II plane found in sea in Cornwall

Divers have discovered the wreckage of a WWII Vickers Wellington Bomber, 69 years after it crashed into the sea off Falmouth.

According toThis Is Cornwall, research suggests that the plane was on an evening navigation exercise in October, 1944, when the pilot lost control.

The aircraft broke up on impact, scattering wreckage at the base of a reef, at a depth of 30 metres.

There have been rumours about the wreckage for around 30 years, and Falmouth diver Ben Dunstan first heard about it seven years ago. He then bought his own boat and started looking for new dive sites, with his friend Jason Roseveare, in an attempt to find the lost plane.

He told This Is Cornwall: "I started asking local fishermen and older divers about the plane. Several had heard about aluminium coming up in nets and dredges, but local divers assured us it was a myth. Clubs have dived the area for many years and never had any definite proof of plane wreckage."

Following extensive research and several dives, Mr Dunstan found a trail of wreckage, including a large radial engine, fuselage sections and landing gear rams.

He now believes that he has identified the plan as the Vickers Wellington X LP610 bomber from 24 Operational Training Unit, based at Honeybourne, Worcestershire.

It may have flown out of RAF Davidstow Moor, near Camelford, on October 17, 1944, the day it crashed. The crash log states that three crew were rescued, with three more reported missing, all from the Canadian Royal Air Force.

Mr Roseveare, who serves in the RAF, said: "This is the grave of some of my fellow servicemen and should be treated as such."

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