Un exemple d’archéologie de l’aéronautique : la fouille de l’épave du bombardier de Fléville-devant-Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle)
In 1997, the wreck of a World War Two bomber was unearthed near Fléville-devant-Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle). This archaeological excavation was a pioneering experience and some of its results were unexpected. The artefacts discovered during the excavation and also the study of historical records serv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | fra |
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Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication
2018-08-01
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| Series: | In Situ |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/insitu/16583 |
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| Summary: | In 1997, the wreck of a World War Two bomber was unearthed near Fléville-devant-Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle). This archaeological excavation was a pioneering experience and some of its results were unexpected. The artefacts discovered during the excavation and also the study of historical records served to identify the plane as Lancaster RA 502 of the Royal Air Force, that crashed there in February 1945 as it was returning from a mission over Germany. These artefacts gave a valid indication as to what happened to the two members of the crew who were reported missing and whose bodies were never found. However, the main interest of this archaeological operation lies in the memory processes that were triggered off by the discovery of the wreck. Subsequently, a monument was dedicated and unveiled in 1998 where the crash of the plane took place. Three surviving members of the crew attended this ceremony: Bill Anderson, bomb-aimer. Allan Jarnell, rear gunner and Vic Cassapi, flight engineer. This event prompted Vic Cassapi to write his war memories that he had kept to himself since 1945. It should also be mentioned that these memories were used to make a documentary film that was broadcast on FR3 Channel in 2014. This was a good example of the peculiarities of the archaeology of the recent past that is capable of revealing, both literally and metaphorically, collective or individual memories. |
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| ISSN: | 1630-7305 |