On Sunday, the 25th of June, Mr. Robert Shema,
Director of Operations for the B-25 Recovery Group, presented the
University Club (University of Pittsburgh) with an overview of the Groups findings related to the
location of the B-25 and current plans to confirm the presence of the bomber.
Dr. Bill Laird, Entertainment Chairman, and Mr. Lawrence Breck, past
President of the University Club, hosted the presentation as part of
the Club's Sunday evening social dinner.
Mr. Breck, Mr. Shema and Dr. Laird
Assisted by Mr. Steve Byers and Mr. Matt
Pundzak, Mr. Shema went over the details of the Group's theory as to
what happened to the B-25 shortly after it sank in the Monongahela
River on the 31st of January
1956. Mr. Shema also discussed the findings that led the Group to select Bird's Landing
as primary target for an archeological survey to confirm the bomber's
presence. Mr. Shema emphasized the technical difficulties
associated with the search and outlined how the Group plans to conduct
a the survey of Birds Landing.
When asked about timing for the archeological phase,
Mr. Shema stated that the Group "will start the archeological
phase once resources are in place to get the technical support,
sensors and professionally plan the survey." Until now the
Group has been working from personal funds and donations of equipment
and time by individuals and companies. What the Group would prefer
to do is to delay any study of Bird's Landing until the
resources are in place to mount a well planned survey of the site with one or more sensors.
According to the Group, approximately $25,000 is
required for a comprehensive survey of Bird's Landing.
Mr. Breck concluded the evening by asking the membership to consider sponsoring
the Group's effort and asked the Group to come back in the future to update the membership on the status of the project.
