Aircraft in German lakes

[markjsheppard]

Hi
After the recovery of the P47 from the Austrian Lake in 2005, it made me think back to the research I did with Axel Urbanke for his book on the Fw190D-9 'Green Hearts'.

Going through the 2TAF combats I recorded a staggering number of aircraft that ditched or crashed into the Schwerinersee, Muritzersee and Plauersee in April/May 1945 alone.

I remember there were reports of Me262, Fw190A's, Fw190D's, Seibel 204's and Bucher's.

No doubt still down there - large dark lakes - would there have been post war salvage? Has anyone ever tried to find out if there is more down there, sonar scans or taken images - even though there seems to be a no recovery (total waste) policy within Germany. Only the Fw190 D-9 in 1992 has been recovered so far and that sat around for so long it turned to dust as a complete aircraft (engine was amazing though) and luckily it is being 'rebuilt' now.

Perhaps a policy of recovery two/three/four and restore two for static and one to US/UK? and return one to the DTM would be a good policy. Shame it does not seem to be a good policy even though Norway/Germany seem to have a good arrangement (at least for Norwegian lakes/sea?)

Luckily Austria, France, Norway and Russia do not have the same shortsighted policy of no recoveries.

Probably not a big deal on the political arena. Things are changing in Germany though with WWII German aircraft (at least in the DTM Berlin) now finished with the Swastika. Believe they were getting more critisised for not applying it - having something to hide? Congrats to Dr. Holgar Steinle for all his work.

Been a long day - enough rambling.

regards

MS