International Round-Up: Divers searching for remains of Allied bomber crews in southern Denmark

Standing on the shores of Langeland – the rather large, long island, pretty much at six o’clock on the map of Denmark – you would have seen some pretty heavy artillery action during World War II. 

At least two Allied bombers were shot down and with them 15 American air force personnel. 

Their remains have never been recovered despite the discovery of one of the wrecks.

Plans to match bone DNA
But now scientists from the US are teaming up with the Danish Navy to search for their remains in the hope they can be returned to their relatives. 

The team are specifically looking for human bones in the hope they might match with the DNA of living relatives. 

A zoning system will be used to traverse the seabed.

Obligation to the fallen
Scientist Matt Breece contends that returning them home is a mark of respect to how they fought and died for the USA.

“They never leave people on the battlefield,” reasoned Snorre Gudnason, a diver with the Danish Navy, to TV2. 

“If it’s someone in a firefight, you do all you can, even though it’s often an impossible task and you lose more people doing it.”


Viborg resident suspected of unlawful killing to be returned to France
In June, the French judicial authorities got into contact with the Danish Police asking for co-operation concerning a case of homicide and people-smuggling. The suspect is a 37-year-old man from Viborg who is alleged to be involved in the drowning of refugees between France and Britain. The man has been in custody since June 23.

Russian submarines spotted in Danish waters
Two Russian submarines and a supply boat were recently spotted making their way  north past the Storebælt bridge, while a third has been sighted from Langeland. Although the Russian Navy did not inform Denmark about the passing, there is no reason to worry according to Christer Haven, a spokesperson for Danish Defence. It is presumed the submarines are on their way back from a Russian Navy Parade in Sankt Petersburg in late July.

Danish billionaire loses bid in Scotland to stop neighbour launching rockets
The Danish businessman Anders Holch Povlsen recently undertook steps to prevent the building of a spaceport next door to his land in Scotland, but a court has ruled against him. Povlsen, who is listed as the richest man in both Denmark and Scotland, is concerned that Orbex has plans to launch rockets from near his 200,000-acre estate. Chris Larmour, the CEO of Orbex, is overjoyed as the decision will enable the company to carry out the first ever space launches from the UK. However, according to Povlsen’s spokesperson, he will continue to fight as he expects “serenity will eventually prevail”.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen sees fundamental failures in Afghanistan departure
Denmark’s former PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen sees three fundamental mistakes in how the situation in Afghanistan was tackled not only by the US, but also by Denmark. He told TV2 that Donald Trump should have never met the Taliban because it legitimised them. Secondly, Joe Biden should not have committed to an exact deadline to leave the country. And finally, no proper consideration was given to an evacuation plan by any of the involved countries.

Smartphone thief to serve five months in prison before deportation
A Moroccan man has been sentenced to five months in prison for his involvement in a racket to steal and sell smartphones in Copenhagen. He will then be deported and banned from entering Denmark for six years. After the German Police found 42 smartphones in his car in Münster in north Germany, an international warrant was issued, leading to his eventual arrest by the Spanish authorities.

Dane alleged of causing a wildfire will be put on medication
The Dane accused of starting a wildfire in Spring Creek, which burned down 149 homes in the US along with 404 square km of arable land in 2018, has been told by a court that he needs to take a medication recommend by a psychiatrist. The Dane, who is awaiting judgement, has been diagnosed with a delusional disorder.

Two caught at Copenhagen Airport after illegally boarding flights
Police at Copenhagen Airport intercepted a 23-year-old man who had just arrived on an emergency flight from Kabul via Pakistan. It is believed he illegally took a place alongside 460 others fleeing Afghanistan. His arrest followed the interception of a member of Loyal To Familia the previous day. The gang member had previously been deported to Afghanistan after being found guilty of gun possession last July.