Dig WW2 - with a little help from French postman Laurent

DIG WW2 is a three-part series to be screened next year.

Laurent, who has made it his life’s mission to list all the Allied planes downed in his area, was approached by the show’s researchers.

He said: “They were looking for an interesting WW2 aviation dig.

“I directed them to two crash sites and with their powerful detectors they were able to pinpoint both in a few minutes.” They chose the site where Canadian pilot Harold ‘Fred’ Heninger had gone down.

Laurent explained: “He tried to bail out after an engine failed but his parachute was caught in the plane’s tail.

“What we found was incredible – a very rare Rolls Royce engine and a crushed but complete cockpit with all flight instrumentation.

“The plane itself is very unusual, a Spitfire X11. Only 100 were built in 1943 and it was like a new and powerful toy for the fighter boys who could go on and catch their German adversaries.” He added: “The engine will be displayed at the town hall of a tiny village called Mesnil-Durdent in a deal done with the mayor.

“His grandfather, who was a witness to the crash, sadly died two months ago. It would have been wonderful for him to see the digging for the plane.”

Laurent is in touch with the pilot’s relatives who are very moved by his involvement, as was Derek Flitton’s daughter Valerie Cade, found with the help of the Luton News. She attended the dedication and unveiling of the memorial to her father and his comrades at Bailleul-Neuville in September last year, together with other relatives.