Wreckage and human bones Police secure bones discovered on banks of Rhine

UNKEL · Low water levels disclosed the remains of a plane from World War II and human bones. Experts were at the location on the banks of the Rhine on Sunday.

The story about the discovery of the wreck of a Junkers (Ju) 87 (a German dive bomber used during World War II) and human bones in the Rhine because of the low water levels continues. The criminal police and other experts were at the banks of the Rhine in Unkel on Sunday to recover the bones found in the wreck of the Ju. Linz police confirmed this in response to a GA enquiry. Experts from the State Office for Archaeology were also called in. The next steps are to be decided at the start of the week. Based on current information, the location will not be declared a current crime scene.

As reported, the low Rhine levels in Unkel may have brought to light a human drama that occurred during the battle for the bridge at Remagen in March 1945.

The archaeologist Oliver Kessler, who works at Bonn University and lives in Unkel, discovered the wreck of a Junkers (Ju) 87 and a water canteen in the river and on the bank during a walk, as well as some burnt human bones, which he told the GA he believes could be those of the two occupants of the plane. Nearby were the remains of two boats that may have been part of the American pontoon bridge over the Rhine.

Kessler believes that he found the remains of a German plane shot down near Unkel on 8 March 1945. According to Kessler’s research, the two pilots have been missing since then. Kessler wants to make his findings and photos available to the historical preservation authorities in Koblenz. He has also contacted the German Red Cross to let them know of the possible fate of the two soldiers, as he is certain the bones are human remains.

The GA report about Kessler’s discoveries triggered a big response in the media, said Veit Doll, the deputy head of Linz police station. The recovery of the bones was arranged at short notice at the weekend, not least because of this interest. Further investigations are still pending. In the meantime, someone has lit a candle on the Rhine in memory of the war victims.

(Original text: Hansjürgen Meizer, Claudia Sülzen. Translation: kc.)

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