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	Me109 - Talmas, France

The Somme aircraft recovery group led by Pierre Ben has found a missing Me109G-6 and its pilot Leutnant Hans-Joachim Rimarski. The identity of the aircraft was not known when the excavation took place because so few records exist for this part of France; locals could only remember that it was a German fighter plane.

The aircraft was lost on 19 August 1943, near Epinoy (Pas de Calais), but was found at Talmas (Somme). Messerschmitt 109 G6/R6 Werk Nummer 19877 of 5./JG2.

The combat occured during Ramrod 209 - escorting B-26s to Glisy and this Me109 fell victim to F/Lt Hume in a Spitfire IX of 485 (NZ) Squadron.

Combat Report:
"I saw 4 a/c and climbed into the sun to get into position to attack. When I got near enough to recognise them as Spitfires, a Me109 which was going in the opposite direction half-rolled and jumped them. This E/A did not see me, so I just flew up behind and fired a short burst from about 15° starboard and approximately 100 yards range and saw a single strike on the starboard wing. I was forced to break left violently to prevent running into him, and called white 2 (P/O Roberts) to finish him off. White 2 was about to open fire when the E/A blew up".

For full details you are recomended to visit the Somme Aviation 39-45 web site.

More pictures of the recovery operations.

	The DB605 engine on the move atter 63 years in the ground.
	The Somme 39-45 recovery team.
	The work plate giving the number 19877 - the first clue to mystery Me109.