Monument Details

B-17F (42-97274) Crash Site Memorial

Details:

The memorial is located on the red brick wall of a private residence which faces the surrounding fields where the B-17 actually crashed. In the fields directly opposite the memorial, there is a series of small trees which are all in line with one another. Plaque

This steel colored metal plaque features embossed gold lettering that recognizes (in France) the sacrifice of six American aviators who crashed nearby during their return from a bombing mission over Schweinfurt, Germany, where there was a ball-bearing factory.

At the top of the inscription, there is a small cross with olive branches on either side. The text of the plaque includes a citation from the Gospel of John. The sortie report from the mission indicates that the mission was a success despite the loss of nine planes due to German fighter plane attacks. Six crew members were killed in action while four others were either captured immediately or evaded capture for a short period of time.

Monument Text:

À LA MÉMOIRE DES 6 AVIATEURS AMÉRICAINS

TOMBÉS GLORIEUSEMENT DANS CETTE PLAINE

À FOULENG LE 13 AVRIL 1944

POUR LA LIBÉRATION DE LA BELGIQUE.

IL N'Y A PAS PLUS GRAND AMOUR

QUE DE DONNER SA VIE POUR SES AMIS.

JEAN XV 13.

R. I. P.

HOMMAGE RECONNAISSANT

English translation:

In Memory of the 6 American Aviators