WWII Metal Detecting Leads to Discovery of Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Its Pilot

A Window Into the Past

Across Europe, discoveries from the Second World War continue to surface, many decades after the conflict ended. Some are found by professional search teams, while others are uncovered by accident. Each recovery helps historians and the public understand not only the machines of war but also the people who fought in them.

In recent years, several important finds have drawn international attention. From the recovery of rare aircraft to the restoration of forgotten vehicles, these stories highlight the layers of history that still lie beneath the ground and waters of Europe.

Messerschmitt Bf 109 at Lake Balaton

In 2020, divers from the Hungarian Defense Forces located a remarkable relic at the bottom of Lake Balaton. Resting there was a Hungarian-built Messerschmitt Bf 109 J6 fighter, along with the remains of its pilot, Corporal Sándor Bérczi. During the war, heavy fighting took place in the skies over Hungary, and Bérczi’s aircraft was one of many lost in the struggle.

This particular model of the Bf 109 holds special significance. It was built under license in Hungary, and no other original examples of this type are known to have survived. In October 2023, after careful preparation, a major recovery effort brought up key sections of the aircraft, including the propeller hub, engine, weapons, and fuselage fragments. The discovery confirmed the aircraft’s identity and gave Hungary an irreplaceable piece of its aviation history.

Soviet BT-5 Tank Recovery

Not all finds come from the air. A few years earlier, search teams from St. Petersburg recovered sections of a Soviet BT-5 light tank on the banks of the Neva River near Dubrovka. Produced in the mid-1930s, the BT-5 was an improved version of the earlier BT-2, equipped with a Soviet-built engine and heavier armament.

These tanks played a role in the defense of Leningrad, but their light armor made them highly vulnerable. The recovery team used wartime photographs and aerial reconnaissance images to locate the wreck. Although no crew remains were discovered, the salvaged parts are now being used to restore other surviving BT-series tanks, ensuring the design is remembered in museum collections.

Rediscovery of an STZ-5 Military Tractor

Another important recovery took place in Belarus. There, a Soviet STZ-5 artillery tractor was found in a swamp where it had sunk during the Red Army’s retreat in 1941. The vehicle was heavily deteriorated, with its cab and body entirely missing, requiring specialists to reconstruct them from scratch based on original specifications.

After years of work, the restored tractor was unveiled at the Stalin Line museum complex. Today, it operates once more and is featured in historical parades and film productions, giving the public a chance to see a rare piece of wartime engineering brought back to life.

Weapons Seized From Illegal Collectors

Not all discoveries end up in museums. In St. Petersburg, police recently broke up an illegal weapons collection hidden by two men. At the home of one suspect, officers found more than 300 rounds of ammunition, multiple pistols, submachine guns, and dozens of bladed weapons. At the second location, an assault rifle and additional firearms were recovered.

Investigators confirmed the seized weapons were still operational, highlighting the risks when historical arms fall into the wrong hands. While legitimate restorations and recoveries add to public understanding, these illegal collections remind us of the importance of preserving history responsibly.