406th Fighter Group Plaques
Details:
On the west face of the monument.
Two bronze plaques, one above the other, commemorating the 406th Fighter Group. The upper plaque contains the commemoration message inscribed in French in raised lettering. Then, the lower plaque features several depictions of emblems and images and a tribute message inscribed in English text. The depicted images from the top left are as follows: the 406th Fighter Group insignia, a P-47 Thunderbolt, the 9th Air Force insignia, then the 512th, 513th, and the 514th Fighter Squadron insignias.
Tour-en-Bessin Airfield Airfield was constructed as the first airfield for medium bombers in liberated France by the IX Engineering Command, 833d, and 846th Engineer Aviation Battalions, with construction starting on 12 July 1944. It was also the first to have two runways, instead of one at earlier Landing Grounds. 16 days later, a complete airfield, with parking for 75 aircraft, had been completed. On 19 July, the 373rd Fighter Group began to operate from the yet unfinished airfield with three squadrons: 410 FS (coded R3), 411 FS (coded U9), and 412 FS (coded V5), all operating P-47 Thunderbolts. On 5 August 1944, the three squadrons of 406th Fighter Group (512 FS (coded L3), 513 FS (coded 4P), and 514 FS (coded O7)) flew their P-47 Thunderbolts to Tour en Bessin. Both Fighter Groups, part of 303 Fighter Wing, were tasked with support missions during the Allied push into France, patrolling roads and attacking any German target of opportunity in Normandy and Brittany when spotted. After they moved on to other airfields closer to the front on 19 and 17 August respectively, the 394th Bombardment Group, operating the B-26 Marauder medium bomber, was assigned to the airfield. The bombers of the four squadrons (584BS (coded K5), 585BS (coded 4T), 586BS (coded H9), and 587BS (coded SW)) also attacked bridges and German-controlled airfields in occupied areas.
Source of information: www.forgottenairfields.com
Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
Upper Plaque:
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EN RECONNAISSANCE À LA 406ÈME ESCADRILLE DE CHASSE DE L'ARMÉE DE L'AIR AMÉRICAINE STATIONNÉE PRÈS DE LOUPLANDE PENDANt LA 2ème GUERRE MONDIALE. ELLE EFFECTUA, DU 10 AU 23 SEPTEMBRE 1944, DES ATTAQUES AÉRIENNES JOURNALIÈRES CONTRE L'ENNEMI POUR AIDER À LA LIBERATION DU PEUPLE DE SARTHE ET ÉVENTUELLEMENT À LA LIBERTÉ DE LA FRANCE ENTIÈRE. |
English translation:
In thanks to the US 406th Fighter Group stationed near Louplande during WWII. From September 10th to the 23rd, it flew daily missions for the liberation of the Sarthe people and eventually that of France itself.
Lower Plaque:
406TH FIGHTER GROUP
ENGLAND-FRANCE-BELGIUM-GERMANY
1944-1945
13612 COMBAT FLIGHTS
512th 513th 514th
SQUADRONS
A TRIBUTE TO ALL THE MEN OF THIS
ORGANIZATION WHO DID THEIR PART
IN BRINGING ABOUT A SUCCESSFUL END
TO WORLD WAR II
They live in fame
