DIVERS and salvage teams off the coast of Deal have begun an attempt to raise a German Second World War bomber from the seabed off the Goodwin Sands.

The Dornier 17 aircraft, damaged by English fighter planes and forced to land on the Goodwin Sands almost 73 years ago, is the only surviving bomber of its class and the operation to lift it from the sea is dubbed a matter of “national and international importance”.

Work started off the coast of Deal by engineering firm Seatech on Friday, May 3. The project was spearheaded by the national RAF Museum, Cosford.

It involves engineers creating a frame around the plane, which lies upside down on the seabed.

It is a unique and unprecedented survivor from the Battle of Britain and the Blitz

Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye, director general of the RAF Museum, said the DO 17 is a “unique and unprecedented survivor from the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. He added: “It will provide an evocative and moving exhibit that will allow the museum to present the wider story of the Battle of Britain and highlight the sacrifices made by the young men of both air forces and from many nations.”

The DO 17 was central to the Luftwaffe’s assault on Britain during the Blitz. Funding has come from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and other sponsors.
The RAF Museum has been working alongside Wessex Archaeology and Port of London Authority to complete survey dives to survey the wreck.
It is expected the plane will be lifted 50ft out of the sea in two weeks’ time, depending on the weather.

The frame, costing £600,000, has been tested at the museum’s conservation centre in Cosford. On Monday, diver Joe Prill, who has been assessing the conditions surrounding the plane, said there were “very few obstructions” to placing a frame around the aircraft.