SALVAGE AND RESCUE OPERATION
HALIFAX HR871
A Royal Canadian Air Force heavy bomber, Halifax HR871, was returning from a raid on Hamburg when lightning struck it and lost two engines and vital flight controls.
A Royal Canadian Air Force heavy bomber, Halifax HR871 served with the No. 405 Pathfinder Squadron. Piloted by F/S John Philips, the Halifax was returning from a raid to Hamburg on Aug. 3 1943 when it was struck by lightning and lost two engines and vital flight controls. The crew diverted to neutral Sweden and bailed out of the aircraft. They survived and returned to the UK after being interned for several months.
HALIFAX MKII | HR871 | 405 Vancouver Sqn CREW
Sergeant J.A. Phillips (P) RAF INT, Sgt H. C. McLean (FE) RCAF INT,
Sergeant V.A. Knight (B) RAF INT, the F / S G.W. Main Prize (N) RCAF INT
Sergeant R.A. Andrews (WO) RAF INT, Sgt W.H. King (MUG) RCAF INT,
Sergeant L.D. Kohnke (TG) RCAF INT
Sergeant V.A. Knight (B) RAF INT, the F / S G.W. Main Prize (N) RCAF INT
Sergeant R.A. Andrews (WO) RAF INT, Sgt W.H. King (MUG) RCAF INT,
Sergeant L.D. Kohnke (TG) RCAF INT
The Halifax bomber was one of the top two bombers used by RAF Bomber Command in WW2.
During WWII, the RCAF (Canadian Air Force) had 15 bomber squadrons in action in Bomber Command.
For the last (five months) of the war, the RCAF used mainly the Lancaster bomber.
But during 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1944, 48 months, the RCAF Canadians did NOT use this Lancaster bomber type. They used the HALIFAX bomber for those 48 months when some of the greatest air battles took place!
Seventy per cent of all bomber combat done by the Canadian RCAF was on the Halifax, and therefore, 70 per cent of the 10,659 Canadians killed in action in bombers were killed in the HALIFAX type.
During WWII, the RCAF (Canadian Air Force) had 15 bomber squadrons in action in Bomber Command.
For the last (five months) of the war, the RCAF used mainly the Lancaster bomber.
But during 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1944, 48 months, the RCAF Canadians did NOT use this Lancaster bomber type. They used the HALIFAX bomber for those 48 months when some of the greatest air battles took place!
Seventy per cent of all bomber combat done by the Canadian RCAF was on the Halifax, and therefore, 70 per cent of the 10,659 Canadians killed in action in bombers were killed in the HALIFAX type.
The Halifax bomber is the most symbolic for Canadians because it represents the massive sacrifice by the Canadian RCAF during WWII.
PROJECT TIMELINE
1943
1943
A Royal Canadian Air Force heavy bomber, Halifax HR871 from the No. 405 Pathfinder Squadron piloted by F/S John Philips, returning from a raid to Hamburg on Aug. 3 1943, lost two engines and vital flight controls after a lightning strike.
The crew diverted to neutral Sweden and bailed safely out of the aircraft.
The crew diverted to neutral Sweden and bailed safely out of the aircraft.
...
2011
2011
The Swedish Coast Guard searched for a crashed aircraft from WW2 in Kämpingebukten during their field week. They found a large object on the seabed about 6 miles south of Falsterbonäset, which was determined to be a Handley Page Halifax type aircraft after examining photographs. However, as the wreckage may contain undetonated bombs, it was deemed unsafe to approach it without proper clearance. Therefore, the Navy's clearance divers were called in to assess the area and ensure safety.
2012
2012
In May 2012, Havsresan was contacted by a UK aviation historian who was familiar with the pilot and had noticed some details in the story covered by the media. We obtained new information that could have assisted us in verifying if the wreckage found was indeed what we believed it was. However, we had to wait for the Navy's security assessment to be concluded before we could say 100%. The Swedish Maritime Administration had used Multibeam sonar to explore the area, and an image of which was attached for your reference.
2015
2015
The Havsresan team examined aircraft wrecks in Kämpingebukten, including a B17, Halifax and Focke Wulf Condor. Karl from the Bomber Command Museum in Canada had heard the rumour about the Halifax wreck and joined Havsresan. An old fishing net was cut from the wreckage and salvaged. Different parts were identified, and serial numbers were looked for to establish the plane's identity.
Three months after Havsresan, the Swedish government received a letter from Canada's Minister of Defense that Havsresan had found their aircraft that disappeared on August 03, 1943, and that they wished to salvage it and bring it home.
Three months after Havsresan, the Swedish government received a letter from Canada's Minister of Defense that Havsresan had found their aircraft that disappeared on August 03, 1943, and that they wished to salvage it and bring it home.
2016
2016
After six months of investigation, we received the government's permission to proceed, provided we complied with applicable local regulations and rules. The area where the plane wreck was located had a Natura 2000 designation. SCSC contacted the Skåne County Administrative Board to apply for a dispensation to salvage in the area. The wreck site was photo-documented and divided into boxes for positioning parts. At the wreck site, we began to expose part of the wing while filming the entire process. The result was impressive; after 72 years on the bottom, some parts appeared to have been almost perfectly preserved. This was a bit of a surprise to Karl Karl Kjarsgaard, who had not imagined that the condition would be so good despite the low salinity in the water.
The project continued, and we began to sense the great potential in utilizing 3D techniques, allowing us to investigate the objects lying on the sea bed in far more detail on a computer screen. The 3D technology offered a lot of advantages to be able to compare existing pieces of aircraft with the screen pieces that were still down at the bottom.
Two Rolls Royce Merlin engines were salvaged and transported to Trelleborg harbour for cleaning. All parts picked up from the sea bed were desalted in freshwater before being shipped to Canada.
Two Rolls Royce Merlin engines were salvaged and transported to Trelleborg harbour for cleaning. All parts picked up from the sea bed were desalted in freshwater before being shipped to Canada.
SCSC received a celebrity visit from the Canadian Air Force, RCAF. Four people, including their Air Force Chief Lieutenant General Michael Hood, came to Trelleborg harbour to see how the work to salvage Canada's Halifax HR871 was progressing. They were here primarily to participate in Sweden's celebration of our Air Force turning 90 years old. Lt. Gene. Michael Hood gave a talk showcasing some of the salvage work of the HR871. After the presentation, Chief Lieutenant General Michael Hood spoke to King Carl-Gustav about how the salvage was progressing. The king then said that he had followed our work in the media.
Later in August, we received the dispensation from the County Administrative Board to carry out the salvage. During September, the SCSC visited the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, Canada and handed over some parts to great cheers from supporters for constructing a Halifax replica at the museum.
Later in August, we received the dispensation from the County Administrative Board to carry out the salvage. During September, the SCSC visited the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, Canada and handed over some parts to great cheers from supporters for constructing a Halifax replica at the museum.
RCAF. Fyra personer inklusive deras flygvapenchef Generallöjtnant Michael Hood, kom till Trelleborgs hamn för att se hur arbetet med att bärga Kanadas Halifax HR871 fortskrider.
2017
2017
The trouble with arranging boats to get out to the wreck site was solved with a rib boat named Runar, which had 640 hp on board. New divers were introduced to the wreck site, and parts were identified and freed from sand for later salvage.
2018
2018
Wreckage is exposed and identified for later salvage.
2019
2019
Some wreckage was picked up and cleaned and sent to Canada.
Boat from The River Thames Association ( from Denmark)
and Danish divers were involved in the project.
Boat from The River Thames Association ( from Denmark)
and Danish divers were involved in the project.
Flt. Sgt. John Alwyn “PeeWee” Phillips (far left) and his crew – in front of Halifax HR871 in June 1943
The pilot, Flt. Sgt. John Alwyn “PeeWee” Phillips who is still alive, contacted us with the following:
"Thank you very much for your kind letter and the information sheets about the raising of the Halifax bomber which I flew as the pilot back in August 1943. It appears that a lot of work is entailed in lifting the plane from its watery grave. The people involved are doing excellent work which I would to extend my sincere thanks to. // From a 96 year old admirer - JOHN ALWYN PHILLIPS ".
"Thank you very much for your kind letter and the information sheets about the raising of the Halifax bomber which I flew as the pilot back in August 1943. It appears that a lot of work is entailed in lifting the plane from its watery grave. The people involved are doing excellent work which I would to extend my sincere thanks to. // From a 96 year old admirer - JOHN ALWYN PHILLIPS ".
New equipment was acquired to expose wreckage more easily. A mud pump was used to pump seawater down to an ejector suction that moved the sand about 5 m away. In addition, a boat from The River Thames Association ( from Denmark)
and Danish divers were involved in the project. Despite wind and wave heights of up to 2.5 m, the team managed to complete important tasks at the wreck site.
and Danish divers were involved in the project. Despite wind and wave heights of up to 2.5 m, the team managed to complete important tasks at the wreck site.
New JACKIE AND SUE set up.
2020
2020
No diving was carried out due to the Pandemic. Wreckage parts were loaned to the museum in Råå for their exhibition for a year.
2021
2021
The work continued with exposing and salvaging parts for cleaning and desalination.
2022
2022
The work continued with exposing and salvaging parts for cleaning and desalination. In addition, approximately 100 kg of fishing nets stuck to the wreckage were picked up.
2023
2023
In addition to exposing and salvaging wreckage, parts were packed and sent to museums in England and Canada. In Canada, the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton started building a Halifax plane replica.
“Night of the Great Storm”.
Words by Dave O'Malley - VINTAGE WINGS OF CANADA
In the dark of the night on 2 August 1943, Royal Air Force pilot, Flight Sergeant John Alwyn “Pee Wee” Phillips, DFM, turned to his Flight Engineer, Royal Canadian Air Force Sergeant Herbert C. McLean, nodding that he was ready. McLean, in his folding jump seat, reached to the four big levers between them and pushed the throttles of Handley Page Halifax LQ-B, “B for Beer”, to full takeoff power. The four powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engines of “their” Halifax responded immediately and she surged forward and gathered speed. [...]
Into that dark and fateful night, Pee Wee Phillips held a steady hand on the yoke, and more than 50,000 pounds of aluminum and steel, high octane fuel and explosives and seven young hearts clawed resolutely to altitude. Destination tonight—Hamburg. It would be the “Night of the Great Storm”. [...]
Into that dark and fateful night, Pee Wee Phillips held a steady hand on the yoke, and more than 50,000 pounds of aluminum and steel, high octane fuel and explosives and seven young hearts clawed resolutely to altitude. Destination tonight—Hamburg. It would be the “Night of the Great Storm”. [...]
Phillips headed east into the blackest of nights, crossing the North Sea south of Amsterdam then turning northeast to follow the coast of Holland, up around the Frisian Islands and their flak concentrations. Flying up the coast, the crew knew they were in for trouble. Heavy turbulence made the flying extremely uncomfortable and as they made their turn towards Hamburg, flying close to Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven, they could see a gargantuan electrical storm ahead, lit by flashes of lightning, like artillery fire at the front. In the intermittent flashes they could see that the bruised-looking cumulonimbus storm clouds towered to 30,000 feet, seamed by veins of lightning. They could also see that the malevolent weather astride their bombing run was too wide and too tall to skirt. There was nothing for it but to enter this meteorological hell. [...]
As they approached the target, the Halifax was lit by blue-green flashes of lightning and tossed about like a light aircraft. Ice began to accumulate on the wings and the controls became increasingly more sluggish.
As they approached the target, the Halifax was lit by blue-green flashes of lightning and tossed about like a light aircraft. Ice began to accumulate on the wings and the controls became increasingly more sluggish.
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