Scientists Discover Hidden WW2 Plane Encased in 300 Feet of Ice, Unveiling a Decades-Long Secret

Scientists recently pulled off an incredible feat, merging modern technology with a historical enigma. They discovered a World War II aircraft buried under 300 feet of ice—a member of the so-called Lost Squadron. This find has energized historians, engineers, and aviation buffs as researchers attempt to unravel the story behind this long-hidden piece of aviation history.

On July 15, 1942, an American squadron took off from Greenland on a secret mission bound for Great Britain. This group, made up of two B-17 bombers and six P-38 Lightning fighters, was part of an Allied effort to bolster European forces during World War II. The plan was to refuel in Iceland, but a sudden blizzard forced them to turn back to Greenland. With fuel running dangerously low, the pilots had no choice but to land on a remote glacier. While the crew was rescued, the planes were left behind, quickly swallowed by the icy arctic environment.

The Lost Squadron Beneath the Ice

For decades, these aircraft were thought to be lost forever, buried beneath tons of snow and shifting ice. That began to change in the summer of 1992, when American explorers unearthed one P-38 fighter, “Glacier Girl,” thanks to early ground-penetrating radar. After securing salvage rights from the Danish government, the team carefully extracted the aircraft.

As technology advanced, so did efforts to find more of the Lost Squadron. Improved radar systems and drones allowed for more effective searches. During a 2018 expedition led by Jim Salazar and Ken McBride, heavy-lift drones with cutting-edge radar detected a massive object buried deep in the ice. Using a heat probe driven by a hot water cannon, the team reached and identified a significant piece of machinery—a P-38 fighter—linked to the squadron’s fateful 1942 mission.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Recovering aircraft from beneath the ice is no small feat. Although the successful extraction of Glacier Girl proves it’s possible, it requires meticulous planning and advanced equipment. The current challenge is assessing the damage to this newly found P-38 and deciding the most effective way to extract it. Whether to preserve the aircraft or aim for a full restoration remains an open question, and each path demands a significant investment of time and resources.

With recent advances in technology, some experts believe recovering the entire Lost Squadron might be possible. Even if certain aircraft never take to the skies again, they could serve as museum exhibits, narrating stories of daring wartime flights and the harsh conditions that led to their icy resting places.