B-17 Wreck Dive in Calvi, Corsica – Plongée Castille
- Margaux Vandevoorde
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Come and discover the story of this magnificent wreck, one of the most beautiful and most visited in Corsica. An article to help you imagine your future dive and understand how this aircraft ended up here.
Resting at the foot of the Citadel of Calvi, this 31-meter-long American bomber attracts divers from around the world. The beauty of this dive makes it one of the most visited wrecks in Corsica. It has lain at a depth of 28 meters since February 14, 1944. Lying flat on the sand, with nearly intact wings, four visible propeller engines, and an open cockpit, it offers everything for a memorable exploration.
THE STORY OF THE B-17
Imagine
31 meters wingspan
22 meters long
30 tons maximum weight
13 machine guns
2 to 3 tons of bombs
10 crew members
293 km/h cruising speed
The B-17, also known as the “Flying Fortress,” was one of the most famous bombers of World War II and dropped one of the largest bomb tonnages of the entire conflict.
To quote the aircraft’s pilot, Frank G. Chaplick:
“It was our 37th mission. We took off on February 14, 1944, to attack the Verona marshalling yards in northern Italy. Shortly before reaching the target, German fighters attacked us. It was terrible. I never thought we would make it out alive until P-47 Thunderbolt fighters came to our rescue.”
On February 14, 1944, the B-17 squadron was assigned to bomb the strategic railway installations of Verona in northern Italy. It took off from the American base in Foggia, southern Italy. At that time, the Allies controlled only the southern part of the country. The mission was part of a large-scale offensive aimed at destroying strategic railway infrastructure. Verona was a key hub for transporting German reinforcements from Germany and Austria. The objective was clear: cut supply lines by destroying railway facilities with high-explosive and incendiary bombs to weaken German forces in Italy.
As the formation of 36 B-17s approached its target, a course correction briefly isolated the B-17 Her Did, positioned at the rear left of the group. This short isolation came at the worst possible moment: German fighters suddenly appeared and violently attacked the formation.
Targeted directly, Her Did suffered severe damage. One engine was knocked out, two others lost power, and several crew members were hit — including two gunners and the radio operator, who were mortally wounded. The bombs were jettisoned urgently to avoid an explosion after shells pierced the bomb bay.
A fierce aerial battle followed until American P-47 fighters dispersed the enemy aircraft.
With two engines on fire and a third barely functioning, the B-17 headed toward Calvi, aiming to reach the nearest Allied airfield. When attempting to land, the pilot judged the maneuver too dangerous and decided instead to ditch the aircraft at sea.
The able crew members took their emergency positions and assisted a gunner who was seriously wounded in the legs. The aircraft finally hit the water with remarkable control. Despite the violent impact, the B-17 did not break apart and remained afloat long enough for the crew to evacuate into life rafts.
S/Lt Warder H. Skaggs, Co-pilot
“The ditching was very good. I exited through the hatch above my seat onto the wing, removed my parachute harness, and inflated my life vest. The life rafts did not deploy automatically; we had to remove and inflate them manually.
I climbed into a dinghy with Lt Sedgeley and Sgt Grilliot, where T/Sgt Baron, seriously wounded, had already been placed. The rest of the crew boarded the second dinghy. The aircraft then sank, taking with it the bodies of the three men. A British Air Sea Rescue launch picked us up about ten minutes later, once we had cleared the area filled with gasoline and oil fumes.
Back in port, we were taken to the local fighter airfield dispensary, where after a hot shower, we were given British military clothing.”
Rentrés au port, nous étions dirigés au dispensaire du terrain de chasse local ou après une bonne douche, des vêtements militaires anglais nous étaient donnés ».
The aircraft sank largely intact. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, professional divers from Ajaccio salvaged much of the wreck to sell aluminum and scrap metal, which were highly sought after after the war.
The nose and the entire rear section behind the bomb bay were dismantled and removed from the site. The cockpit roof was later torn away by an anchor, leaving the seats exposed to the open sea.
One of the aircraft’s machine guns is still visible today at the Calvi gendarmerie.
In the autumn of 1964, a passionate diver, Mr. Chaveau, decided to investigate the wreck. During his first exploration, he discovered human remains inside the aircraft. Recovery and investigation operations were undertaken. The searches uncovered bones, a military identification tag, and a wallet. Analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Sergeants Murphy and Householder. Their status changed from “Missing in Action” to “Killed in Action,” and their remains were repatriated to the United States. The body of rear gunner Tony Duca, however, was never recovered and he remains officially listed as Missing in Action.
In 1995, Armand Sedgeley, bombardier of the B-17 Her Did and survivor of the February 14, 1944 ditching, returned to Calvi. He was warmly welcomed by the municipality and residents, revisiting the scene of the event more than fifty years later.
Further searches conducted in 2012 by U.S. authorities did not succeed in locating Tony Duca’s remains. His name is now engraved on the Wall of the Missing at the Rome-Nettuno American Cemetery.
On November 11, 2012, the United States Ambassador to France, Charles H. Rivkin, inaugurated a commemorative plaque on the walls of the Citadel of Calvi in tribute to the soldiers who died aboard the B-17.
THE DIVE
The proximity of the coast protects this dive site. It is marked by buoys guiding the descent in relatively shallow water. The path to the wreck gently slopes down to 28 meters, allowing gradual ear equalization and comfortable depth adaptation.
Upon arrival, usually in clear water, the sight of this aircraft resting on white sand is always impressive.
Schools of seabream, salema, and damselfish swim around the wreck. You may encounter nudibranchs, slipper lobsters, moray eels, conger eels, and spiny lobsters hiding within the structure. The return to the boat is also gradual, with shallow rocky areas allowing relaxed safety stops. Bullet impacts, fragments of the braking parachute, and the landing gear wheels all reconnect you to the history of this bomber.
An unforgettable and emotional dive that every diver visiting Calvi should experience. Unfortunately, first-time discovery dives are not possible on this site, but it is accessible from Advanced Open Water / 40m certified level. If you are Open Water certified, why not continue your training and explore the 20–40 meter depth range?
HISTORICAL SOURCES
– Fifteenth Air Force Mission Report, February 14, 1944
– Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress – historical data
– France 3 Corse, “Underwater excavations on the B-17 wreck in Calvi,” 2012
❓FAQ – B-17 Wreck in Calvi
At what depth does the B-17 wreck lie?
The B-17 Her Did rests at approximately 28 meters deep on a sandy seabed at the foot of Calvi’s citadel.
Why did the B-17 crash in Calvi?
On February 14, 1944, during a bombing mission over Verona, the aircraft was heavily damaged by German fighters. Unable to reach its base, the pilot chose to ditch near Calvi to save the crew.
Can you dive the B-17 wreck?
Yes. The dive is accessible to divers certified to 40 meters (Advanced level). It is not suitable for beginner discovery dives due to its depth.
Is the wreck well preserved?
Yes. Despite post-war salvage operations, the wings, engines, and much of the structure remain visible, making it one of the most impressive wreck dives in Corsica.
How many crew members were on board?
There were 10 crew members during the final mission. Several survived the ditching, but three airmen lost their lives.
Is there a commemorative plaque?
Yes. A memorial plaque was inaugurated on November 11, 2012, on the walls of the Citadel of Calvi in the presence of the U.S. Ambassador.
Is the B-17 one of the best wreck dives in Corsica?
Yes. Due to its accessible depth, historical significance, and state of preservation, the B-17 wreck in Calvi is considered one of Corsica’s most iconic dives.
🤿 After discovering its history, come and experience the emotion underwater.
