When the Second World War ended in 1945, the German transport aircraft Blohm & Voss BV 222 was sunk in the Trondheimsfjord outside Trondheim. It was one of the largest seaplanes used during the war, but after the Germans left it in Norway, no one had a use for it anymore. Thus a hole was shot in, and left to the waves. The propeller of the German transport plane. Photo: Blueye Robotics Since then, no one has seen the huge aircraft that was put into service in 1941. – It is a well-known aircraft that has been searched for for decades, says Jonas Follesø. He is technology director at the drone company Blueye Robotics. Technology director Jonas Follesø says the German transport aircraft has been sought after for several decades. Photo: Blueye Robotics Found on cruise The navy’s Hugin team was on a cruise in the Trondheimsfjord to survey the seabed, when they discovered something special on the sonar. At a depth of 318 meters they discovered the German transport plane. – It was not a previously known aircraft, so we dug into archives and sought expert expertise at the museum. Then we found out that it was a very interesting discovery, says deputy commander, Morten Gjerde Standal. A little further towards Trondheim they found another plane. It was a Heinkel HE-115, which was at a depth of 253 meters. None of the planes have been found before. – In our usual work, it was fun to find something like that, which also has a historical perspective, says Standal. The Heinkel plane is located at a depth of 253 meters in the Trondheimsfjord. Photo: Blueye Robotics Untouched since 1945 There are many planes from the war in the Trondheimsfjord, but the special thing about the latest finds is that none of them have been touched since they went down. Other planes have been “looted” and picked up by sports divers and other interested parties, but these planes are so deep that it is not possible. – It is mostly only advanced craft that have the opportunity to go down that deep, says Standal. Morten Gjerde Standal believes that the discovery of the transport plane from the Second World War is very interesting. Photo: Morten Andersen / news – Great driving force One of those who was quick to find out was Jonas Follesø in Blueye Robotics. – Investigating war wreckage in the Trondheimsfjorden is a very big driving force for the employees at Blueye. Ever since we started working with drones, we have investigated many of the wrecks that are here. Every time something new is discovered, we want to be out as quickly as possible to see what has been found, he says. – This is a wreck we have also been looking for and read about in all the seven years I have worked at Blueye. – It is exciting to learn something about history, the feeling of being part of seeing something no one has seen before. The joy of being able to share it with the local population in Trondheim and other aviation enthusiasts, and then there is also a testing of the equipment we make in real, demanding environments, he says to news. The transport plane Blohm & Voss BV 222 was 36 meters long, and had a wingspan of 46 meters. Photo: Bundesarchiv Breaking down nature Historian Knut Sivertsen is an advisor at the justice museum in Trondheim, and is glad the planes have been found. – Many of the war wrecks from the Second World War are gradually being destroyed by salt water, tides and waves. So actively documenting war history, and artifacts from the Second World War, is very important. We have some time before many of the wrecks are completely broken down, he says to news. – Both before, during and after the war, planes were lost. And perhaps especially in war, because the maintenance can be so-so. Resources were scarce and people were in a hurry, and often things went awry. But Sivertsen does not think it is possible to raise the planes. – This is a huge wreck, and will probably stay where they are, says the historian. Historian Knut Sivertsen is happy that the plane wrecks have been found, but does not think they can be retrieved from the sea. Photo: Morten Andersen / news
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Two aircraft wreckage from the Second World War have been found in the Trondheimsfjord – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
