DNA helps identify remains of nine participants of 1944 WWII bombing run

DNA helps identify remains of nine participants of 1944 WWII bombing run

Remains of nine men, including one Texan, were identified with the help of DNA tests. The remains of nine men were recovered after their plane crashed during a World War II bombing run to Germany.

Military officials on Thursday announced the remains of the personnel will be returned to their families for burial.

The July 7, 1944, mission involved a B-24J Liberator that left North Pickenham, England, to bomb an aircraft factory near Bernburg, Germany. Officials later recovered records indicating the plane crashed northwest of the target.

Some German citizens with an interest in military history learned of the potential crash site in 2001. Group members later recovered human remains from apparent burial sites.