Divers in the waters around Vis Island were working on the wreck of the American B24 Tulsamerican, downed in 1944
In the waters around Vis Island are some 30 aircraft, mostly bombers from World War II, as well as a few fighters. Vis Island was an important allied airbase during the War. South of Vis, in 2009, remains of the heavy bomber B24 were located, also known as the Liberator. The bomber is a Tulsamerican, the last model of Liberator bombers produced in a factory in Tulsa, United States, Morski.hr reported on July 9, 2017.
In a joint action by the Croatian and American armies, a search for the remains of American pilots who died 73 years ago was organised, with footage published today. Mate Barica from the Archaeology Department of Zadar University said of the event:
“Bone remains were found yesterday, but without further analysis we know nothing more, and further work on them will be done by anthropologists.” He added he is part of the expert team with the Culture Ministry acting as a partner to Americans in safeguarding the wreck of the American bomber. In his words, the aircraft wreckage, wing, engine and cabin are on the seabed at 40 metres below.
Divers came across the remains of the pilot and co-pilot when sifting through sediment underneath the cabin, raising it in bags to the ship above. The material was then sifted, using special machines for bone detection. The activity will continue until July 14.
See the video:
Tulsamerican Recovery Project from NPS Submerged Resources Center on Vimeo.
