Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In May 1940, 24-year-old Paul Klipsch took off in his Mark 1 Spitfire for his first day of combat. He never returned. 60 years later, the Time Team joins forces with air crash investigators and WW2 historians in Northern France to locate and excavate the remains of aircraft P9373. From recovering the Rolls-Royce engine to finding the pilot's personal effects, this documentary uncovers the technical reality of the Battle of France and provides a moving conclusion to a hero’s story.
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In May 1940, 24-year-old Paul Klipsch took off in his Mark 1 Spitfire for his first day of combat. He never returned. 60 years later, the Time Team joins forces with air crash investigators and WW2 historians in Northern France to locate and excavate the remains of aircraft P9373. From recovering the Rolls-Royce engine to finding the pilot's personal effects, this documentary uncovers the technical reality of the Battle of France and provides a moving conclusion to a hero’s story.
You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.
Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: bit.ly/4pyExyn
This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries, please contact owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com
