Stephen Mimh meets the dedicated team devoted to locating and recovering the remains of Americans—and their planes—that were lost during the Second World War. Following the meticulous process of finding, and then recovering a plane, Mimh shows the resources it takes to finally give these lost pilots a military funeral.
One afternoon a week later, toward day’s end, a large crane reels up the first recovery basket of the mission, steering it to a soft landing on the back of the barge. The team members swarm around it, peering intently at the contents: large, twisted pieces of metal, some scorched and warped by fire, and several mysterious sections of black rubber.
One by one, the artifacts come out, gently cradled and placed on a tarp. The black rubber turns out to be swaths of the fuel bladder, its white stenciled serial numbers still bright and legible. Then comes a piece of the bomb bay door, its hydraulics still attached; skeins of electrical wires; and a handful of indignant crabs, which are promptly returned to the sea.
from Longreads https://ift.tt/HAPpfku
Check out my bookbox memberships! 3, 7, or 15 vintage books a month sent to organization of your choice, or to yourself!
https://ift.tt/eqxk4rT
