Holy Artifact
The retrieval operation started by Hagen and Tallichet was concluded only in 2006. But it wasn’t until four years after that the plane was returned to the United States. They also had difficulty persuading the locals to let go of the Boeing B-17. To the natives of the island, the aircraft was an artifact that rested on a holy location. It was a tough battle of persuading the villagers to surrender the Swam Ghost. A ceremony was held to placate the spirits that resided in the swamp. There were people who weren’t pleased with the decision to turn over the Swamp Ghost to Hagen and Tallichet.
The Local Leader’s Son
The son of one of the local leaders was dead set on making sure the Swamp Ghost remained in place. He got together with a group of people to help him stop the removal of the aircraft. But their efforts were in vain. A military helicopter made in Russia was used to airlift the bomber to the ship offshore. The chief’s son was left watching the heavy bomber drift further and unable to stop it.