Maritime Park Authority Confirm Underwater Discovery Of An Australian War Plane Wreckage

by Benson Agoha | Maritime Discovery
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has confirmed an underwater discovery of an RAAF plane which went missing during the second war. 

* Pete Illidge confirms the discovery

The find was confirmed by the Park's Cultural Heritage Project Manager, Pete Illidge who went down to the depth to shine his touch on the wreckage.

Sharing his exploits on LinkedIn,Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said their Project Manager joined divers from the RAAF and the Australia Navy in "searching through the wreck off the Frankland Islands near Cairns, and finding diagnostic artefacts," adding that the plane was confirmed as a Catalina A24-25.

Catalina A24-25 was an iconic flying boat that was active in long-range bombing, reconnaissance and rescuing allied personnel."

According to the Guardian, the RAAF No 11 squadron Catalina A24-25 crashed in February 1943 killing all 11 people on board.

The wreckage was initially spotted 56km south of Cairns by a diver in 2013, but weather and planning challenges delayed the final dives to complete the investigation, the guardian said.

The diving teams also needed to gather additional evidence in order to confirm that the aircraft was A24-25, according to the Telegraph.

The discovery brings closure to the families who have had to wait 70 years before the discovery.