New excavations are underway on Twizle Head Moor near Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, in an effort to locate the remains of Cpl Clarence Watson, a US airman who died in a plane crash 82 years ago. The US government is funding the search for Cpl Watson, who was 22 when his B24H bomber crashed on 9 October 1944, killing nine United States Air Force (USAF) personnel.
Eight of the crew's bodies were recovered from the remote crash site at the time, but Cpl Watson's remains were never found. The investigation has been contracted to UK-based forensic archaeologists Geoscope, who previously conducted ground surveys on the moor two years ago.
The plane was on a routine test flight in poor weather when the pilot misjudged the rising moorland, causing the aircraft's tail to strike the ground and break up. Lead archaeologist Tim Fletcher stated that some material has been recovered and will likely be sent to the United States for analysis under lab conditions.
Once the site is cleared, it will remain as a war grave. Volunteers from Moors for the Future have assisted with post-dig land restoration, laying bales of heather. Yorkshire Water, which owns the open access land, welcomes visitors to walk past the memorial but advises against removing any items from the site.