7 WWII Plane Crash Sites to Visit Around The World

Dramatic aerial battles and missions throughout World War II altered the course of history. Relics from this era still lie in their original locations across the world today, providing a rare view into the past. These crash sites, which are dispersed throughout isolated areas or beneath the ocean, offer a quiet but potent window into the airpower that was so important to the war effort. Here are seven major World War II plane crash sites that you may travel to; each has a unique tale of bravery, sorrow, and time standing still.

Talasea Plane Wrecks: Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, the Talasea Airfield on New Britain served as a key refueling and preparation base for aircraft during World War II. The airfield is known particularly for the wreck of a B-25 Bomber, serial number 43-4513. This plane, facing mechanical difficulties, made an emergency landing at the airfield. Despite the damage, which left it immobile, its pilot miraculously walked away.

Today, the bomber remains by the runway of the now-abandoned airfield. It stands unaffected by time, allowing visitors to get close to a piece of history. There’s no organization managing the site, making it an accessible yet poignant spot for those interested in the stories from the skies of World War II.

Corsair Dive Site: Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii, known for its stunning beaches and diving spots, is also home to a remarkable World War II relic underwater. A Corsair fighter jet lies beneath the waves near Oahu, a site famous for the safe, albeit unintended, water landing by the pilot. He faced various challenges mid-flight, making the decision to land in the water, and thankfully, survived.

Divers today are drawn to the Corsair wreck, lying 115 feet below the surface. It’s an adventure meant for those with advanced diving skills due to the depth and the need for decompression stops. Explorers follow an anchor line down to the site where they have about 15 minutes to experience this underwater museum before returning to the surface.

B-24 Bomber: Atka Island, Alaska

Alaska’s strategic location made it a frontline in the Pacific theater, launching numerous missions against Japan. A B-24D Liberator bomber, a monument to a non-combat disaster, lies dormant on Atka Island. While transitioning to a weather observation role post-combat mission, this bomber crashed during a mission with top officials on board. Miraculously, the crew survived with minor injuries and the plane remained mostly intact.

Over the years, despite its remote location, the plane has experienced vandalism. However, it still offers a powerful look into World War II’s vast operational scope and serves as a reminder of the human element amidst the machinery of war.

Val Bomber: Guam

Guam’s role in the Pacific war was undeniably significant, evident in the various sunk ships and airplanes around the island. Apra Harbor, in particular, holds a Japanese Aichi D3A Bomber, known as “Val”. Shot down during a fierce battle over the island, it now lies 100 feet underwater.

The fierce air battles that occurred over Guam are attested to by this diving site. Expert divers may investigate the bomber, which is now a coral-encircled home for aquatic life, and discover a moment captured in time at the ocean’s floor.

Wellington Wreck: Simiane-la-Rotonde, France

The story of the Wellington bomber crash in France highlights the role of civilians and resistance fighters during the war. Struck by German anti-aircraft fire and unable to return to base, the crew attempted an emergency landing, guided by the lights of a resistance operation. Tragically, the plane crashed, killing all on board. The local resistance extinguished the fire and buried the crew, who were later moved to a military cemetery.

A memorial in Simiane-la-Rotonde honors these events, with a piece of wreckage and a plaque commemorating the crew and resistance fighters, preserving their courage and sacrifice for future generations.

Jake Seaplane: Palau

Palau, a key strategic location in the Pacific, offers a unique underwater discovery with the wreck of a Japanese Aichi E13A seaplane, nicknamed “Jake”. Found by a fisherman in 1994, this remarkably preserved wreck provides a rare opportunity for divers to explore a piece of World War II history.

The theory of an engine malfunction causing the crash adds to the mystery surrounding this site. Divers can witness the intact propellers and the rest of the aircraft, now part of the underwater landscape, offering a direct link to the past events of the Pacific war.

The Humphrey’s Peak B-24 Wreckage: Coconino National Forest, Arizona

Arizona’s Coconino National Forest is the unlikely resting place for a B-24 Bomber that crashed during a training exercise in 1944. The accident, a result of the rigorous demands of war training, led to a tragic loss of life. The site, preserved and respected, serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made even outside the theater of war.

Visitors to Humphrey’s Peak can reflect on the war’s far-reaching impact, not just in combat, but also in the preparation and human cost it demanded, marking an important chapter in World War II history scattered across the globe.