Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - New Me109 Wreck Discovered. ** Some Graphic Content

I suppose first and foremost any trained archaeologist with field experience in the eastern Mediterranean will find the methods used for crew recovery beyond abysmal. But we are not talking archaeology here, we are talking aviation archaeology, which is an entirely different beasty.

Unlike a dig in the eastern Med which is about learning, knowledge and understanding of the site, culture, and peoples that site presents, aviation archeology is about recovery, be it components or crew. The weeks/months frames that such an eastern Med dig would have (and in some cases the ability to close the site for later digs) don't exist for aviation sites, as quite often the dig will be restricted to one or two days only if you're unlucky. I have seen total destruction of an aviation related site, just to get the crew recovered, with no thought for the aircraft remains, or the niceties of archeology - except in regard to the crew. On the flip side I have been on a recovery where we were on site for over 3 weeks, taking our time and doing it right (well according to our archeologist "Almost right"). But at the end of the day the outcome was the same, two crews recovered and buried with dignity and honour.

This is Russia, as soon as that site was opened it became a target for people with less thought for the pilots remains. The fact the Russian team continued the recovery after finding out it was a German aircraft, and if reports are right have handed over the remains and Personal effects to the VDK for an honourable burial/return to the family, then I can overlook the methods used. They could have simply just tossed it all back in the hole and walked away because of the Nationality, they did not.

The Russian methods are crude yes, but they are doing the best with the tools they have, but on a plus note, look at the numbers these groups are finding and recovering from both sides in Russia. Maybe the Video wasn't what we are used to (but the Russians have different standards to our Western PC), but I see no desecration or disrespect, only the investigation of the available clues to try and make an ID.

Buz