All The Incredible WWII Airplane Wrecks Found in Lakes

Throughout World War II, many aircraft faced accidents during training or combat missions, and some of their wrecks were left submerged in lakes. The cold water preserved many of these planes, turning them into time capsules that offer glimpses into the history of aviation during the war. Here are six significant WWII airplane wrecks discovered in various lakes, each with its own story of loss and rediscovery.

Lost in the Great Lakes

During World War II, around 200 to 300 aircraft were lost in the Great Lakes, with most of the crashes occurring in Lake Michigan. The lake served as a major training ground for Navy pilots who practiced carrier takeoffs and landings. Lake Michigan offered a safer environment for training compared to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, where the threat of enemy attacks, especially from submarines, was a concern.

Training in the Great Lakes included the use of converted ships, such as the USS Wolverine and USS Sable, which acted as makeshift aircraft carriers. These vessels were stationed in the Great Lakes until the war’s end and were later decommissioned. Many of the planes lost during training had pilot miscalculations or mechanical failures, leading to crashes. While some aircraft were recovered soon after they crashed, others remained at the lake’s bottom for decades, like the Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat now on display at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Lake Simon, Quebec

In 2021, an amateur diver exploring the depths of Lake Simon in Quebec made a surprising discovery. While searching for submerged wood, the diver stumbled upon a wreck that appeared to be an aircraft from World War II. The diver’s initial observation suggested the remains of a Latécoère 631, a type of French seaplane used during the era. The condition of the wreckage hinted at the tragic story of its final moments, with the remains of some of those who had been on board still visible in the wreck.

The discovery of the plane in Lake Simon sparked interest among historians, but further investigations have been limited. The exact identity of the plane and the circumstances of its crash remain unclear. The diver’s find is a reminder of how the quiet depths of lakes can hold stories that have yet to be fully told.

Lake Greenwood, South Carolina

Lake Greenwood in South Carolina became the final resting place of a B-25 bomber, which met its end during a training mission on June 6, 1944—coincidentally D-Day. This World War II-era aircraft was flying low over the lake when it crashed, leaving behind a somber reminder of the risks faced even during non-combat flights. Discovered in 1983, the wreckage has since been restored by the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation, providing a window into the past for visitors.

Although the B-25 has been carefully restored, it remains grounded, a static piece of history rather than a flying relic. The foundation plans to make the bomber the centerpiece of a future aviation museum, helping to keep the memory of those who trained and fought during the war alive for future generations.

Gander Lake, Newfoundland

In 2022, divers from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society explored the depths of Gander Lake in Newfoundland and found a B-24 Liberator bomber. This aircraft had crashed during a 1943 mission, taking the lives of its four crew members. The B-24 had rested at the bottom of the lake for nearly 80 years before being rediscovered. Despite the decades underwater, parts of the plane, including its landing gear and wings, were in remarkable condition due to the lake’s cold, preserving environment.

The waters of Gander Lake, tinted a deep red from tannins in the surrounding soil, made the dives challenging. Visibility was limited, turning the expedition into a near-complete night dive. Efforts to recover the aircraft had been abandoned during the war due to the lake’s depth. But recent technology allowed teams to revisit the wreck, providing a rare look into a moment frozen in time.

Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona

In July 1948, a B-29 bomber met a watery fate in Lake Mead, which spans the border between Nevada and Arizona. The crash occurred during a post-war training mission, with reports indicating that an error in the calibration of the aircraft’s instruments caused it to fly too low, leading to the impact. Some local stories suggest the pilot was attempting to show off, but official reports point to mechanical issues.

All five crew members aboard the B-29 survived the crash, but the plane sank to the lake’s depths, remaining there for decades. Today, the B-29 wreck is a sought-after dive site for adventurous divers, offering a glimpse of the past beneath the lake’s surface. The preservation of the bomber, resting in the cold waters, has made it an underwater museum, showcasing a piece of World War II history that many never expected to see again.

Dutch Lakes

Back in 2020, a significant discovery was made in Lake Markermeer near Amsterdam. A Short Stirling bomber, designated BK 716, was finally found after being missing for decades. This plane had disappeared in 1943 during a bombing mission over Germany. The remains of one crew member were found inside the wreck, prompting efforts to contact the living relatives of the victim.

Additionally, in 2022, another British plane that had vanished after a June 1943 bombing mission was reported to be recovered from IJsselmeer Lake. Local fishermen had found the wreck back in 1996, and the Dutch Navy subsequently investigated it. During World War II, around 5,500 Allied and German aircraft were lost over the Netherlands, making these finds particularly notable.

Lake Washington

Lake Washington in Washington state also holds a World War II aircraft. After the war, in 1956, a PB4Y Navy bomber was on a routine training flight from the Sand Point Naval Air Station near Puget Sound. Unfortunately, the plane crashed into the lake, though the crew was rescued. An initial attempt to lift the plane from the water failed, causing the wreck to sink back into the lake. Years later, divers rediscovered the bomber in 155 feet of water. Remarkably, the plane was well-preserved, and now it serves as a popular spot for divers to explore.

Chichen Lagoon

In Poland’s Chichen Lagoon, an American B-17 Flying Fortress was discovered. The search team identified the aircraft by its distinctive wing, engine, and fuselage. This bomber had been shot down on October 7, 1944, while on a mission to destroy a synthetic gasoline factory in the town of Police, which was a crucial target for the Allies due to its importance to the German war effort.

Lower Otay Reservoir

On May 28, 1945, an SBC-2C-4 Helldiver crashed into the Lower Otay Reservoir, east of Chula Vista, California. The plane remained underwater for 65 years before being lifted to an enthusiastic crowd in 2010. Although the plane’s crew survived the crash, both pilots had passed away by the time of the recovery. Family members of the pilots attended the retrieval and described it as an emotional experience. The plane was initially discovered by a fisherman using a fish-finding device. Divers from San Diego and Chicago worked together to free the plane from the lakebed. The National Aviation Museum in Florida donated $125,000 for the plane’s recovery and requested it be sent to their museum for restoration, a process estimated to cost $200,000.

Lake Muskoka

On December 13, 1940, two planes collided over Lake Muskoka in Ontario, approximately 130 miles north of Toronto. One of these planes was a Northrop A-17 Nomad, which collided with a similar aircraft during a mission. While the other plane’s wreckage was found, the Northrop A-17 Nomad remained lost for nearly 70 years. The crew of two was never recovered until Ontario Provincial Police divers found the wreck in 2010. Their remains were found two years later and subsequently interred. The wreckage was brought to the surface in 2014 and sent to the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton, Ontario. A member of the Royal Canadian Navy emphasized the importance of this recovery for Canadian heritage, underscoring that the nation does not abandon its servicemen and women.

Lake Ontario

On February 18, 1944, a B-24 Liberator bomber named “Getaway Gertie” disappeared over Lake Ontario in upstate New York during a snowstorm. The aircraft is presumed to have crashed into the lake, but it has never been found. However, a dedicated group of researchers continues to search for this lost plane. The bomber had eight men on board when it vanished during a routine training mission from Syracuse, New York. Researchers believe the plane lies in deep waters, considering Lake Ontario’s depths range from 82 feet to over 300 feet. A book chronicling the aircraft and the ongoing quest to find it was released in 2023.