Along the pathway.

A pentagon-shaped pillar surmounted by a bronze star-shaped plaque on the sloping top surface and a long rectangular bronze plaque on the front side. Engraved on the top of the star plaque is the insignia of the 9^th Air Force followed by the etching of a P-47 Thunderbolt. Below them are the commemoration message inscribed in English and a depiction of a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat then a poem. Meanwhile, the front side plaque contains the names and some other info of the airmen who were aboard the plane, inscribed in raised lettering. Near the monument is a wooden bench that also bears a plaque honoring the 5 airmen.

On July 2nd, 1944, five American Fighter Pilots of the 50th Fighter Group, based at Carentan, Normandy, France, boarded a Cessna Bobcat UC-78 light Transport aircraft bound for the U.S.A.A.F. base at Chilbolton, Hampshire. This was not a combat mission - but to transport personnel between bases. Of the five pilots, two had been promoted to Captain only the day before. Some were going on operational leave and one (2Lt Quinn) had turned 24 years old on that day.

Unfortunately, their aircraft never made its intended destination. The aircraft developed a failure of one of its engines. The inclement weather conditions on the day made flying conditions difficult and several Ampfield witnesses recall that the cloud base was very low with thunderstorms.

Shortly after noon, their Cessna Bobcat aircraft was seen to crash into woodland about 400 yards to the northeast of St Mark's Church. Sadly, there were no survivors. Witnesses recall that the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft crashed the aircraft into the woods to avoid hitting houses in the upper part of Knapp Lane.

Source of information: www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.geocaching.com

Source of photos: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register

Star plaque:

This Memorial is dedicated to the memory of the five American fighter pilots of the 50th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, U.S.A.A.F. who lost their lives as the result of an aircraft accident that happened in these woods on Sunday 2nd July, 1944 at 12.10pm.

The Cessna "Bobcat" transport aircraft, type UC-78 serial number 43-7528 was flying from Carentan, Normandy, France to Chilbolton airfield. Some of those on this aircraft were going on operational leave having participated in the Invasion to liberate Europe on D-Day, 6th June 1944.

This memorial was formally dedicated on 2nd July 1998.

The dedication was performed by representatives of the Royal Air Force, the United States Air Force and the Parish of Ampfield.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We Will Remember Them.

Plaque on the front side:

Cpt. Billy B. Bryan

O-666861

Cameron, Texas, 18th May 1921

Age 23

313th Fighter Squadron

2nd Lt. Dale C. Francis

O-695310

Erie, Pennsylvania, 3rd May 1921

Age 23

81st Fighter Squadron

1st Lt. Walter Hayes Jr.

O-792988

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 20th January 1922

Age 22

81st Fighter Squadron

Cpt. Norman H. Nelson

O-411180

Fargo, North Dakota, 31st July 1919

Age 24

313th Fighter Squadron

2nd Lt. Duran F. Quinn Jr.

O-695340

Elizabeth, Louisiana, 2nd July 1920

Age 24

313th Fighter Squadron

Bench plaque:

THIS SEAT WAS GIVEN BY

TEST VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

ON 2nd JULY 1999

IN HONOUR OF FIVE AMERICAN AIRMEN

KILLED WHEN THEIR PLANE CRASHED

IN THESE WOODS 55 YEARS AGO