Staplehurst Advanced Landing Ground American Airmen
Details:
On the right side, beside the Staplehurst Advanced Landing Ground monument. Plaque
A black marble panel mounted on a sloped stone set on the ground. It is inscribed in English text in white lettering. Unveiled on June 6, 2010, it was dedicated in memory of the members of the 380th, 381st, and 382nd Fighter Squadron of the 363rd US Fighter Group who died while stationed at the Staplehurst airfield.
Equipped with P-51s, the Group entered combat from England in February 1944, flying bomber escort and ground-strafing missions. They took part in the invasion of Normandy, protecting gliders and troop carriers on 6 and 7 of June, by attacking enemy positions near the front lines, and moved to the Continent at the end of Jun to take part in the Allied drive to the German border. The Group was redesignated as 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group in September 1944 in France.
Source of info: www.tripadvisor.com, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.americanairmuseum.com
Source of images: www.tripadvisor.com
Monument Text:
THE STAPLEHURST ADVANCED LANDING GROUND MEMORIAL
Unveiled On 6th June 2010
By
Col. JOHN R. ULRICSON and LtCol. WILLIAM E. BULLARD
Veterans of 363rd Fighter Group
Erected through donations and contributions from residents and organisations from the Parish of
Staplehurst in memory of the American airmen who died whilst flying from the airfield
14th April ~ 4th July 1944
380th Fighter Squadron | 381st Fighter Squadron | 382nd Fighter Squadron |
Lt. M.W. Hollowell | Lt. J.L. Gervan | Lt. E.F. Cahill |
Lt. H.F. Lyman | Lt. V.T. Johnson | T/Sgt. C.W. Hare |
Lt. L.F. Reetzke | Lt. S.L. McRoberts | Lt. R.E. Kennedy |
Lt. E.E. Vance | Lt. W.R. Schmidt | Lt. A.D. Ladas |
| Lt. H.E. Scott | Lt. D.H. Rook |
| Lt. J.W. White | Lt. R.S. Sykes |
| Lt. P.W. Wood | Lt. H.A. Winham |
| T/Sgt W. H. Yochim |
|
This memorial was conceived by EDWARD T. SERGISON from Staplehurst
Designer
GORDON NEWTON
THE STONE SHOP ~ MAIDSTONE
2010
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
363rd Fighter Group
380th Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Group
381st Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Group
382nd Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Group
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
