Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada)

Ditching of LW170

In August 1945 while on weather patrol, the aging Halifax bomber LW170 sprung a fuel leak and, while trying to return to base, was forced to ditch off the Hebrides Islands west of Ireland. The Halifax floated for 7 hours while the crew was rescued from their dinghy nearby. Late that afternoon LW170, one of the last RCAF combat Halifaxes to have survived the war and the scrapyard, sank gently out of sight into the deep.

The photo below was taken while the Halifax still floated on the surface. Note the location has been recorded along with a description on the incident. With the knowledge of the exact coordinates, 57 Rescue Canada is confident that a recovery is possible.