Aviation archaeologist’s discovery sheds light on a young British pilot’s sacrifice on the day of Hiroshima bombing.
August 6, 1945 marked a pivotal moment in history – the day the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, hastening the end of World War II.
But for one young British soldier, that fateful day brought a different tragedy.
Petty Officer Douglas David Smith, a 21-year-old from Yorkshire serving with the Royal Navy’s Fleet in Northern Ireland, lost his life when his Grumman Hellcat plane crashed into the Sperrin mountains.
His death, occurring on the same day as the Hiroshima bombing, has gone largely unnoticed for decades.
Until now.
Through the tireless work of aviation archaeologist Jonny McNee, along with a dedicated group of high school students, the wreckage of PO Smith’s plane has finally been recovered, shedding light on this forgotten chapter of history.
“He was with his air squadron, training to fly carrier-based aircraft in anticipation of them being sent to carry on the fight against the Japanese in the Pacific,” McNee explains.
“Little did he know the Americans were at the last stages of the Manhattan project that subsequently helped end the war in the east.”
PO Smith’s sacrifice is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served during World War II, even as the global conflict drew to a close.
His story, once buried in the mists of time, has now been resurrected, thanks to the efforts of those determined to preserve the memories of brave young men like him.
For Jill Anderson, a distant relative of PO Smith, the news of the wreckage’s recovery is bittersweet. “Knowing that his wreckage has been found is nice and important,” she says.
“There is also a memorial for ‘Dougie’ in Exley Head, we go every year on Remembrance day. I just wish my dad was around to experience the unique news we’ve just heard.”
As the students of Foyle College continue to assist in the excavation and recovery of plane crashes across Northern Ireland, they are not only honoring the memory of PO Smith, but also ensuring that the stories of all those who gave their lives in service of their country are never forgotten.
In a world often consumed by the grand narratives of war, it is these individual tales of heroism and tragedy that remind us of the true human cost of conflict.
Through their efforts, Jonny McNee and the students of Foyle College have ensured that Douglas David Smith’s sacrifice will not be lost to the annals of history.
