Major Harry R. Stroh Information Sign
Details:
In
the small planted area bordering the traffic circle, between the sidewalk and
the street. Placed beside Major Stroh’s stone marker.
A
white plaque that shows information about Major Stroh’s death, inscribed in
French text with his photo.
Major Harry R. Stroh, a P-47 Pilot in the 378th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group of the 9th US Air Force, was killed while conducting a ground support combat air mission for the 8th Infantry Division. Major Stroh's father, Major General Donald Stroh, was the Commander of the 8th Infantry Division during this assault.
Monument Text:
Le 27 août 1944 vers 18 heures, au cours de sa seconde
mission de la journée, le Major Harry Stroh
de l'US Air Force est abattu ; il s'écrase à
Gouesnou au coin Nord-Ouest de l'actuelle zone
industrielle de Kergaradec, juste en avant des
positions de Ia 8ème Division d'infanterie US
que commande d'ailleurs son père.
Madame Marie Quéféléan réside avec ses
parents sur les lieux du crash.
« L'avion s'éparpille sur Ia propriété. J'ai la
douloureuse surprise de découvrir les restes du
pilote que nous enterrons. Nous avertissons les
autorités municipales qui informent le commandement
de la 8ème Division. En raison des combats, le
Général Donald A. Stroh ne pourra venir se recueillir
avec nous sur la tombe de son fils que dix jours
plus tard. »
Source « Chronique d'hier — Tome II — la vie du Finistère 1939/1945 »
Roland Bohn — Alain Le Berre — Michel Le Bars
English translation:
On August 27, 1944, around 6 pm,
during his second
mission of the day, Major Harry Stroh
of the US Air Force is shot down; he
crashes into
Gouesnou at the northwest corner of
the current business park
Kergaradec, just ahead of
positions of the 8th US
Infantry Division
which is commanded by his father.
Ms. Marie Quéféléan resides with her
parents at the scene of the crash.
"The plane is scattered on the property. I have awful
surprise of discovering the remains of the
pilot that we buried. We alert the
municipal authorities who informed the command
of the 8th Division. Because of the fighting, the
General Donald A. Stroh could not come
with us to visit his son's gravesite until ten days
later. "
Source "Chronicle of yesterday - Volume II - the life of Finistere 1939/1945"
Roland Bohn - Alain Le Berre - Michel Le Bars
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
362nd Fighter Group
378th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group
8th Infantry Division
United States Air Force
Wars:
WWII
Other images :