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WWII aircraft were found on the coast of England after 76 years
Debi Hartley, a 51-year-old warehouse supervisor and colleague, Graham Holden, a 54-year-old truck driver, were delivering their dog, Bonnie, Monday on a beach in the city of Cleethorpes when they saw the plane.
The couple initially did not realize what the debris was, and spent 45 minutes exploring and taking photos before identifying them, Hartley told CNN.
After they returned home to begin researching it, they found the aircraft dated back to World War II.
The British Royal Air Force Museum (RAF) in the United Kingdom confirmed to CNN that they believed the plane was Bristol Beaufighter TF.X, with the serial number JM333, from 254 RAF Squadrons.
Ian Thirsk, head of the RAF Museum collection, said in a statement to CNN that the plane crashed on April 21, 1944 immediately after taking off from the nearest North Coates in Lincolnshire after both engines failed.
“The crew was not injured and fled to safety,” Thirsk added.
Speaking to CNN, Hartley said he was surprised to find “extraordinary” ruins, given that he and his colleague had walked on a stretch of beach many times before.
“(I) have never seen anything like this before in my life,” he said.
“We took the dog for a walk as usual and suddenly we saw these ruins,” he added. “That’s an extraordinary find.”
“My partner has lived in Cleethorpes for 30 years and he goes the same way (all the time) and has never found it before.”
He said that before the unique discovery he was “not interested in history at all” but now he wants to find out more about those who fly planes.
However, due to the danger posed by unexpected tides on Cleethopes beach, people have been warned not to look for debris.
“We have also received reports that sand is now covered again.”
This story has been corrected to reflect that the plane is a propeller aircraft.
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