Norway 1995 (HALIFAX RECOVERY)

International Information

International Operation Name: Norway 1995

International Mission Name: Norway 1995

Canadian name: No Canadian operation name

Mandating Organization: Government of Canada

Region Name: Europe

Location: Lake Mjossa, Norway

Mission Date: 23 September 1995 - 12 December 1995

Mission Mandate: To return the salvaged remains of a Handley Page Halifax to Canada from Norway.

Narrative: During the Second World War over 70 percent of the operations flown by No. 6 (RCAF) Group were flown on the Handley Page Halifax bomber. Of the 6,176 Halifaxes built only two remained in 1995 – one unrestored aircraft at the RAF Museum and one aircraft at the Yorkshire Air Museum that had been rebuilt from the parts of many different aircraft.

As a result of the CBC series “The Valour and the Horror”, airline pilot Karl Kjarsgaard of Ottawa decided to find a way to honour the members of Bomber Command and No. 6 Group. He therefore set out to find a Halifax bomber that could be brought back to Canada. After locating one at the bottom of Lake Mjossa in Norway, he received permission to salvage it and return it to Canada. The Halifax Aircraft Association was created in 1994 and by August 1995, the team was ready to raise the Halifax from its resting place 234 metres below the surface of the lake.

In Canada, 8 Wing Trenton had agreed to dismantle and crate the remains, and fly them back to Canada. A 426 Squadron CC-130 Hercules brought the tail section and other parts back in late September, while four more flights in December, the last on the 12th, brought back the rest of the aircraft. 

After 10 years of effort the restored Halifax was unveiled at a ceremony on 5 November 2005 at the RCAF Museum, Trenton.