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The Second World War aircraft– as well as human remains – were unveiled during a soil survey for a high voltage cable linking the UK and the Europe.

Engineers found an engine part of the B-17 "Flying Fortress" and were able to identify it from a serial number.

They also found a piece of aluminium sheet metal from the Spitfire and the wing of a German Messerschmitt fighter.

(Image: Getty/Nieuwsblad)

The wreck lies at a depth of over 30 meters and is 40 km from the Belgian coast.

Historians who examined the remains and consulted the US government discovered the bomber is one of four B-17s that went missing in that area.

Maritime archaeologist Wouter Waldus told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad: "We should mainly see this as a war grave that can solve the mystery of missing people.

(Image: Nieuwsblad) (Image: Getty)

"It is especially important that it is handled with care and any relatives are informed."

American and European divers will now try to recover the human remains so they can receive a military funeral.

The bombers was an advanced G-type model and was used in the second half of the Second World War, between 1943 and 1945.

The Boeing B-17 is 22 metres long and has a wingspan of 31 metres. The aircraft was a key part of the bombing campaign against Nazi-occupied Europe and US crews flew from English airfields.

It was known as the Flying Fortress because it has thirteen machine guns covering the plane from all sides and was extremely difficult to shoot down when flying in a close formation.