Canadian military history enthusiast reaches to great depth to preserve our country’s heritage and works to bring it home to rest in Nanton.

By Michelle Greysen

Photos by Neville Palmer

Resting on the Atlantic Ocean floor, more than 1,700 metres deep, is the renowned Handley Page Halifax LW170. In her day, the valiant Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft executed some 28 bombing missions, including significant prep missions for the D-Day invasions of Normandy in 1944. When the aircraft sprung a fuel leak while on post war patrols 200 kilometres northwest of Ireland in 1945, her crew was safely rescued, but the ill-fated aircraft was lost to the great sea. LW170 Still afloat

Nearly seven decades later, thanks to modern day treasure hunter and aviator, Karl Kjarsgaard, the great bomber will see daylight again, as she is rescued and honoured with a new resting place in Nanton, Alberta.

Kjarsgaard has a passion for preserving and honouring Canadian military history and our combat heroes. His detailed plan to recover the Halifax LW170 bomber has been on the radar of many supporters since his first successful raising of a British Halifax bomber in 1995. From 240 metres below the surface of Lake Mjosa in Norway, the Halifax NA33 now sits restored in the National Air Force Museum in Trenton, Ontario.

Following that successful raising, Kjarsgaard, as project manager in 1997, recovered a RCAF Halifax from a bog in Belgium with the purpose of providing a formal burial for the three airmen trapped in the unsalvageable wreckage.

A steadfast dedication to Canadian military history and this country’s combat heroes now has Kjarsgaard well underway to his most significant recovery to date – that of the Halifax LW170. The Handley Page Halifax is a national symbol of the Canadian contribution to freedom. The RCAF flew more than 70 per cent of its WWII missions in Halifax bombers and the submerged LW170 is the only restorable combat Canadian Halifax in existence.

“This will be the only real McCoy for Canada; a true combat plane with Canadian history, Canadian crew and Canadian pride,”said Kjarsgaard, founding director of Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) dedicated to preserving the Halifax and its international heritage.

Kjarsgaard is seen here in front of a model replica of the Halifax bomber. From 1942 to 1945 the RCAF used over 1,230 Halifax bombers. Sadly, only two British Halifax aircraft remain of the 6,100 that were built. The LW170 potential for salvage lies in the fact that it was ditched due to a fuel leak, (not having crashed) and hopefully remains intact on the ocean floor.

In Kjarsgaard’s view, bringing this significant artifact home to Canadian soil is paramount to all Canadians. “We must know where we came from to know where we are going,” Kjarsgaard also laments that history should be preserved and lessons learned – the losses of war need not be repeated.

Kjarsgaard never loses sight of honouring those who paid the greatest sacrifice with their lives with his dedication to raising the LW170. His mission is to create a monument to the Canadian soldier – past and future.

“Karl has enriched our museum by being a first class supporter and proponent of our goals and activities,” said Dan Fox, past president of the museum. “Since he became a director of the Nanton Air Museum last April (2009), he has aided us in our efforts by offering his opinions and advice based on his considerable experience in the aviation field.”

The museum is a loyal supporter of the Halifax 57 Project with funds designated in support of Kjarsgaard and a future display of both the Lancaster and the Halifax bomber; a unique opportunity for the facility.

Part of Kjarsgaard’s endless fundraising efforts include the sale of a limited-edition signed print, donated by Canadian artist Michael McCabe titled “Invincible Item”, of the Handley Page Halifax B. Mk. III, LW170 of RCAF 424 Squadron. The signatures on the print are those of the 11 crew members who flew the LW170 into combat over 60 years ago. Kjarsgaard personally criss-crossed the country to visit each of the aged men for their signatures and to record their stories.

“Karl is a great patriotic Canadian and is not ashamed to show it. He has done more to promote the memory of wartime veterans than anyone I know,” said Fox.

The future home for the celebrated Halifax LW170 is in the world-class Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum, also home to the rare Lancaster Mk.10 FM159. The museum houses almost 3,600 sq. m (40,000 sq. ft) of hanger and display space of aviation history.

“In all of the adversity and complications of our quest for the Halifax Project I have always tried to emulate and follow in the footsteps of my heroes of the RCAF and Bomber Command. Such great examples of courage, honour, excellence, and sacrifice in this giant Canadian sword of Freedom, the Halifax,” said Kjarsgaard. “If these young men could weather such hardships for us, we must continue on no matter the cost or effort.”

The Lancaster Museum is the site of Canada’s Bomber Command Memorial Wall, honouring the more than 10,000 Canadians who gave their lives serving with Bomber Command 1939 - 1945. Karl was so impressed by this act of remembrance that he moved from Ottawa to work alongside the people responsible.

To follow this historic mission visit the ongoing progress reports at the Halifax Project website: www.57rescuecanada.com. Coming soon: the book about this incredible mission, also written by Michelle Greysen.