The Remarkable Discovery of “Red 6” a Pristine WWII Plane Wreck in Northern Russia

In 1989, a significant aviation discovery took place in a forest near Leningrad: an intact German Focke-Wulf 190 fighter. It became one of the best-preserved finds from World War II, drawing interest from historians and aviation enthusiasts alike. After the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, more opportunities arose for recovery missions, especially in the former Eastern Bloc. Explorers turned their attention to Russia’s frozen lakes, deep waters, and forested areas. These places held forgotten aircraft that had fallen during the fierce battles on the Eastern Front. Among these remarkable discoveries was the “Red 6,” a Messerschmitt Bf 109, found submerged in a lake near Murmansk. Its recovery provided a rare glimpse into the past.

The Story of Red 6’s Last Mission

On April 4, 1942, Oberleutnant Wulf-Dietrich Widowitz, a skilled German pilot with 36 victories, took off from a base near Petsamo, along the Finnish-Soviet border. He flew a Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7, known as “Red 6,” on a mission to escort bombers. The aircraft had a long service history, having flown in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain before being upgraded and sent to the Eastern Front.

During the mission, Widowitz and three other German fighters encountered four Soviet aircraft. The Soviet pilots flew Hawker Hurricanes, which had been supplied to the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease program. A fierce dogfight broke out, and one Soviet Hurricane managed to get behind Widowitz’s plane, damaging the engine with machine-gun fire. With his engine failing, Widowitz had no choice but to crash-land on the icy surface of Lake Shugal-Yarvi.

A Forced Landing in the Russian Wilderness

As Widowitz’s plane touched down on the frozen lake, it slid across the ice, coming to a stop. Fortunately, he emerged uninjured from the crash and made his way quickly toward the shore. Behind him, the weight of the aircraft caused the ice to crack. Moments later, “Red 6” broke through and sank beneath the water, disappearing into the lake’s depths. Widowitz managed to reach German lines, but his luck ran out the following year when he was killed in combat. The aircraft he left behind in the lake, however, remained hidden for decades.

Rediscovery and Recovery in the Early 2000s

In 2003, more than 60 years after Widowitz’s crash, a British recovery team led by Jim Pearce, an expert in locating and retrieving wartime aircraft, took on the challenge of bringing “Red 6” back to the surface. Pearce, a former Royal Air Force pilot, had a long history of finding and recovering aircraft lost in Eastern Europe. By this time, he had recovered over 50 planes from both Allied and German forces, making him one of the most successful in his field.

The recovery of “Red 6” was a difficult process, involving specialized equipment to lift the aircraft from the lake’s muddy bottom. Despite the challenges, the cold waters of the Russian lake had preserved the plane remarkably well. When the Messerschmitt emerged from the lake, it was found to be in an almost pristine condition. The frigid temperatures of the water had slowed the decay of the metal and prevented the growth of organisms that could have damaged the wreck.

A Rare Look at WWII History

The team carefully brought “Red 6” to the surface, piece by piece. The aircraft’s undercarriage, incredibly, was still able to support the weight of the plane’s frame. Even more surprising was the state of the airframe, with many original details still visible. The engine, which had been damaged in the crash, was removed separately. After the initial recovery, the plane was transported to England, where it underwent further preservation work.

In England, the team found that the aircraft’s exterior still displayed its wartime paint and even showed bullet holes from the fateful dogfight in 1942. This made the discovery even more valuable, offering a glimpse into the events of that day. For a while, the plane remained in Britain, drawing interest from aviation museums and collectors.

A New Home in California

After some time in England, “Red 6” found a new home in the United States. The plane was sold to a company in Texas before being moved to its current location at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. The museum specializes in preserving and displaying historic aircraft, making it a fitting place for the preserved Messerschmitt.

While there have been discussions about restoring “Red 6” to flying condition, many believe it should remain as a static display, preserving the historical evidence still visible on its surface. The aircraft’s story, from its time in combat to its decades beneath the icy waters and eventual recovery, holds great value as a piece of history.

A Continuing Search for Hidden Relics

“Red 6” is just one of several wartime aircraft that have been found in Russia’s lakes and forests. As recently as 2018, another well-preserved Messerschmitt Bf 109, this time a G-2 variant, was recovered from a lake near Murmansk. These discoveries continue to intrigue historians and aviation enthusiasts, offering a rare connection to the air battles that shaped World War II. The cold, clear waters of these lakes keep the aircraft in remarkably good condition, making them time capsules from a turbulent period.

Many believe that more wartime planes, both from German and Allied forces, still lie hidden in these remote areas, waiting to be discovered. The stories these aircraft carry—of battles, of pilots, and of missions that ended suddenly—provide a direct link to the past, reminding us of the intense struggle that took place in the skies over Europe during World War II.