HE Plant Services: The Bomb Squad.

When people think of excavators, they usually picture construction sites, roadworks and major infrastructure projects. They probably do not think about uncovering the remains of a Second World War V1 flying bomb.

Yet that is exactly what happened when HE Plant Services supported an archaeological excavation at Chetney Marsh in Sittingbourne, Kent. Working alongside the team at Research Resource Archaeology, where a Komatsu PC14 R-3 mini excavator helped uncover a remarkable piece of history that had remained hidden for more than 80 years.

It is not every day that a plant hire company gets the opportunity to contribute to a project like this, so many congratulations to the HE Plant Team…

A Rare Archaeological Investigation

The excavation was led by brothers Colin and Sean Welch, founders of Research Resource Archaeology, alongside a dedicated team of archaeologists and volunteers.

Their aim was to investigate the remains of a German V1 flying bomb that crashed at Chetney Marsh in 1944.

Often referred to as a “doodlebug” or “buzz bomb”, the V1 was one of thousands launched towards Britain during the Second World War. While many wartime sites have been altered over time, this location remained largely untouched. That gave researchers a rare opportunity to study the impact site in its original setting.

The site offered another advantage. The V1 had become buried in soft blue clay, which limits oxygen exposure and can help preserve artefacts for decades. As a result, there was a strong possibility that important components of the flying bomb had survived underground.

To support the project, the company supplied a Komatsu PC14 R-3 mini excavator. The machine was used to remove overlying material and expose the impact area before archaeologists continued their work by hand.

Projects like this demand precision. Every bucketful of soil could contain valuable evidence, so careful excavation is essential.

The compact size and precise controls of the Komatsu PC14 R-3 made it ideally suited to the task. While the machines are more commonly associated with construction, infrastructure and utilities projects, it must have been interesting to see one helping uncover a chapter of British history.

Remarkable Discoveries

Among the discoveries were the launch lug and sections of the Argus pulsejet engine. One of the most exciting finds was the engine itself, which was recovered in an almost complete condition despite spending decades underground.

Each item was carefully documented and recorded before being removed from the site. This process helps preserve important evidence while allowing researchers to build a clearer understanding of the events surrounding the crash.

For the archaeological team, the finds provided a fascinating insight into the technology behind the V1 programme. For those of us following the excavation, it was incredible to watch history being uncovered piece by piece.

A New Perspective on History

One of the most interesting aspects of the project is that it may challenge parts of the accepted historical account.

Records suggest this particular V1 was brought down using the famous “wing tipping” technique, where a pilot carefully placed their aircraft wing beneath the wing of the flying bomb and forced it off course.

However, evidence recovered during the excavation suggests there may be more to the story.

According to Colin Welch, findings indicate the V1 may also have been struck by anti-aircraft fire and aircraft ammunition before impact. If further research supports this theory, it could provide an important new perspective on how the weapon was intercepted.

Projects like this demonstrate why archaeology remains so important. Even more than 80 years later, physical evidence can still reveal new information about historical events.

More Than Just Another Excavation

This project was a reminder that plant machinery can play a role far beyond traditional construction environments.

The project also highlighted the importance of collaboration, bringing together archaeological expertise, dedicated volunteers and the right equipment to achieve something truly worthwhile.

The excavation at Chetney Marsh has provided valuable new insights into one of the Second World War’s most recognisable weapons. More importantly, it has shown how archaeology continues to improve our understanding of the past.

H. E. Services, commented “we are proud to support projects of all sizes across the UK. From major infrastructure works and civil engineering schemes to specialist excavations like this one, we provide reliable machinery backed by more than 50 years of industry experience.

With 11 depots nationwide and a fleet of more than 3,500 items of plant, we are committed to helping our customers complete projects safely, efficiently and successfully. This may not have been a typical plant hire project, but it is certainly one we will remember for years to come”.

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