In this fascinating documentary, Guy Martin embarks on his most ambitious engineering project to date, offering viewers a unique insight into the recovery of a World War II Lancaster bomber and the search for the remains of its missing crew members.
Aired on Channel 4, the programme centres around the story of Pathfinder Lancaster ED603, which tragically met its end in the depths of a Dutch lake—Lake IJssel (IJsselmeer)—on June 13, 1943. While the bodies of four crew members were recovered, the remains of three airmen were never found, and it was assumed that they still lay within the wreckage.
In Guy Martin’s Lost WW2 Bomber, Guy plays a pivotal role in the Dutch government-funded mission to recover ED603 and locate the missing airmen. He actively participates in constructing a massive dam around the crash site and subsequently draining the lake, revealing the long-submerged Lancaster bomber once more.
As the recovery operation continues, Guy joins a team of experts in carefully extracting the pieces of ED603. He also takes time to meet and engage with the descendants of the aircraft’s crew, gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of this project for them and the people of the Netherlands.
Guy also looks into the history of the elite Pathfinder force and has the honour of meeting one of the last surviving members of a Pathfinder crew. He accompanies the team as they meticulously lay out the wreckage of ED603 in its original shape, providing a poignant reminder of the aircraft’s tragic fate.
The search for the missing airmen continues as Guy visits an identification laboratory, where remains, clothing, and personal effects are scrutinised to determine the success of the recovery operation. The question on everyone’s mind is whether, after eight decades, the remains of all three missing airmen have finally been found.
Guy Martin’s Lost WW2 Bomber airs on Channel 4 on Sunday, 7 July 2024, at 9:00 pm.
