THE nephew of a pilot who crashed his Second World War fighter plane near Harlech has spoken of his ‘emotional’ journey from America to view the crash site.

Second Lt Robert F Elliott was on a training exercise when the right engine on his Lockheed P-38 lightning fighter aircraft failed and crash landed into the sea on 27 September, 1942.

The rare United States Army Air Force (USAAF) fighter, now known as the Maid of Harlech, was discovered in July 2007 after 65 years under the sands.

It is considered one of the most significant discoveries in aircraft archaeology and an effort has been mounted to salvage the historic fighter. Its exact location remains a closely guarded secret to keep souvenir hunters away.

Lt Elliott survived this crash unharmed but three months later he was involved in a flight attack above Tunisia where he failed to return.

His body and his aircraft have never been found.

His nephew, Captain Robert M Elliott USNR Ret, made his first visit to Wales this month and described the visit as ‘emotional’.

He said: “This is the first time I’ve visited Wales. It’s been great to visit the area my uncle was based in for those two weeks in 1942. I’ve even eaten at the pub he most likely used back then!

“I have also had the opportunity to visit the beach in Harlech and I was able to look out to where the Maid of Harlech is buried which was very emotional to me and just being there gave me a real sense of closeness to my uncle.

“Although the visit to near the crash site was very moving I was slightly disappointed that I actually couldn’t see the plane but it is for the best that it’s not exposed.”

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News