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Wuzak
9th May 2006, 08:25
Hi guys, just wondering if any of you have downloaded Google Earth and have used it to view locations of WW2 significance.

I have been using it for several months now, on and off, but mostly to see where other people I know live, or to look up motor racing cicuits.

The other day I decided to look for the dams that 617 Squadron attacked in 1943. From some maps I found on the web, I believe the following are the dams. There wasn't much in the way of aerial detail on the maps, so correct me if you believe any of these are wrong.

The Mohne Dam

http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/9917/mohnedam6ac.jpg


The Sorpe Dam

http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/508/sorpedam2ap.jpg

As you can see the quality of the image varies from place to place, but the images are being updated all the time. Several sites I have visited have been improved since my first viewing. The Eder Dam site amongst them...


The Eder Dam

http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/3267/ederdam7eq.jpg


If you do have Google Earth, copy and paste the following longitude and latitudes into the search bar to have a look at the sites yourself.

Mohne Dam: 51°29'27.32"N 8° 3'24.17"E

Sorpe Dam: 51°17'37.31"N 8°14'58.53"E

Eder Dam: 51°11'2.02"N 9° 3'21.85"E
Wuzak
9th May 2006, 08:31
The Pearl Harbor Memorial

http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/4634/pearlmemorial7ky.jpg
Lightning
9th May 2006, 23:59
Hi Wuzak,

Those views are fascinating! Thanks for taking the time and sharing what you found.

Regards,
Lightning
simon
10th May 2006, 01:01
I'm not too sure about the Mohne. I used to go sailing there and it looks wrong to me, admittedly that was more than a few years ago now so I could be wrong.
Wuzak
10th May 2006, 01:10
quote:Originally posted by simon

I'm not too sure about the Mohne. I used to go sailing there and it looks wrong to me, admittedly that was more than a few years ago now so I could be wrong.


It may very well be wrong, as I could only guess based on towns in the area.

The lake on which you sailed is mainly to the right, out of picture, I think.

I have found the D-day beaches, but these are also a bit fuzzy.
simon
10th May 2006, 05:10
I double checked this myself, you are right, this is certainly the Mohnesee, I've even found the sailing club I used to belong too!

According to the locals there's a Lanc under there somewhere... Would love to know where!
ChrisMcD
10th May 2006, 05:34
Just in case you missed the Google time warp discussion

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/09/lancaster_grab_one.jpg

and a close up

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/09/lancaster_grab_two.jpg

The Lancaster in question is the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's "City of Lincoln." The image is at 52 20 10.87N 0 11 43.34W.
Wuzak
10th May 2006, 07:19
Very cool.........


How did you find it?
ChrisMcD
10th May 2006, 07:36
Hi Wuzak,

The UK internet IT magazine 'The Register" has been carrying a series on weird shots off Google Earth - with particular reference to 'black helicopter' sites.

eg Spot the B52 at bottom right.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/31/seoul_grab.jpg

Not a secret USAF base - it turned out to be the South Korean Air Museum!!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/31/google_earth_korea/

There are a lot of other references scattered about the site
ChrisMcD
10th May 2006, 07:47
Hello Again Wuzak,

I hadn't realised how much fun people are getting out of this. The Register thread below will give you links to a whole subcuture of Google Earth hackers who may have some useful tips.

Scud anyone?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/17/suspected_wmd.jpg

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/17/google-earth-investigation/
PMN1
10th May 2006, 08:11
quote:Originally posted by simon



According to the locals there's a Lanc under there somewhere... Would love to know where!


Is there any speculation as to which crew's?
Wuzak
10th May 2006, 08:14
Thanks mate. :D
simon
10th May 2006, 23:25
Apparently it wasn't one of 617 sqn's if that's what you were hoping, it was one that ditched later in the war. Came as some surprise to the locals apparently when one hot summer in the 1980s the water level dropped quite a lot and all of a sudden there was this tail sticking out of the water.
PMN1
11th May 2006, 08:07
quote:Originally posted by simon

Apparently it wasn't one of 617 sqn's if that's what you were hoping, it was one that ditched later in the war. Came as some surprise to the locals apparently when one hot summer in the 1980s the water level dropped quite a lot and all of a sudden there was this tail sticking out of the water.


Yes I was thinking it may have been a 617 sqn aircraft, bet the locals were a bit more suprised when an intact Tallboy was found in the mud around the Sorpe Dam in 1958.