WIX Archives

Spit in sea off Cyprus...

Posted by Elliott on Thu Dec 20, 2001 01:07:54 PM

Copies & pasted from a diver forum....
************************************************************

Hi All,
I might be going over old ground here, but have you guys read/heard about the Spitfire (complete with Pilot's remains) that has been 'claimed' by a Turkish DM off the North of Cyprus?

He's refusing to give the MOD the exact co-ords as, and I quote, "It is my wreck and I want it left here as there are not many wrecks to dive in the area". This Turk obviously showing all the sensitivity of his Paratrooping bretheren that wandered in univited in 1974.

The wreck is about 80ft down and well covered in silt: which has allowed the wreck to be rather well preserved. The MOD are stating that there are formal channels in which such a claim can be registered which include engaging with the Island's authorities; although given that the authorities in this case mean the Cypriot Gov't and not the shower of bandits that currently occupy the North of the Island might figure in his reasoning not to.

The MOD state that because he will not even give them the plane's identification number, they are not in a postion to identify the plane and consequently the name of the flyer who still rests in its cockpit. Once this has been established, the MOD state that it would then provide an MOD diving team to examine the wreck and take any appropriate action: ranging from retrieving the body to leaving it there (should any extant relatives or the RAF Assocation decide on such a course) and designating it a War Grave.

Yet another example of the MOD displaying the splinters in its arse from all that fence-sitting what? On being offered a gift such as this (and moving heaven and earth at the opportunity of recovery of the remains of one who died fighting for his country) you might hope that they might grab that gift with both hands........or rather (and to paraphrase), as in this case, beware of Turks bearing gifts.

I don't want to get all "If I should die in a foreign field...." etc. and invoke Flanders-type sentiments, but you'd like to think that if you'd done your bit in the world's largest conflagration and bought the farm doing same, then your gov't would be stand-up enough to bring you home. Mind you, we are dealing with the Whitehall Wallahs of the MOD and, let's be honest, you wouldn't vote for them, would you?

Let's hope that this flyer can one day be laid to rest with the all the requisite honours and tributes of a very grateful nation.

Cheers
Bren.

Follow Ups: