A memorial wall bearing three metal plaques. The center plaque contains the commemoration message and the list of info about the 10 American bombers. The left-most plaque is a printed image of a B-17 Flying Fortress while the right-most is a B-24 Liberator. To the right of the monument are two information boards which also contain a list of info and a map of the crash. There are inconsistencies between the info board and the center plaque specifically on points 3, 5, 8. Also, the dates of the crash on the info board for points 1, 2, and 3 are different on the plaque (December 31 vs November 31). The type of aircraft inscribed also conflicts but the inscription on the plaque is more accurate than on the board except for the “Harmful Lil’ Armful” which should be a B-24.

The Germans have turned the northern tip of the Medoc into a fortress to protect their shipping and submarine bases at Bordeaux. These bombers were to destroy those bases the day they were shot down.

The crew of each plane:

Breezing Home     B17 N°42-40002

Special Delivery     B17 N°42-37808

Black Jack IV     B17 N°42-30444

Lucky Lady     B17 N°42-31164

Sioux City Queen     B17 N°42-5899

Lil Butch     B17 N°42-30112

Harmful Lil’ Armful     B24 N°42-7754

Lady Luck     B17 N°42-3495

Note: According to the plaque and the information board, the aircraft name for registration number 42-3495 is “Lady Luck,” but, according to our source, the aircraft name was “Rough Group.”

Buzz Buggy*     B24 N°42-7577

* The inscription on the plaque is Buzz Z Buzzy

B17 N°42-107088

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net, www.aerosteles.net

Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net

B17 Super Forteresse                B24 Libérator

A la mémoire des 99 aviateurs américains tombés dans le MEDOC et autres Lieux.

In memory of the 99 American aviators fallen in Medoc and elsewhere.

Le 31/11/1943, le 05/01/1944/, le 19/06/1944

Avions Bombardiers B17&B24

Le Breezing Home              B17 N°42-40002 St. Germain d'Esteuil          8 prisonniers-2 évadés

Le Spécial Delivery             B17 N°42-37808 Carcans-Hourtin  5 prisonniers-5 évadés

Le Black Jack IV   B17 N°42-30444 Carcans-Hourtin  4 prisonniers-4 évadés-2 décès

Le Lucky Lady      B17 N°42-31164 Carcans-Hourtin  3 prisonniers-6 évadés-1 décès

Le Sioux City Queen           B17 N°42-5899    St Laurent Médoc 3 prisonniers-5 évadés-2 décès

Le Lil Butch           B17 N°42-30112 St Laurent Médoc 1 évadés­9 décès

Le Harmful Lil Armful          B17 N°42-7754    Indéterminé          5 prisonniers-2 évadés­2 décès

Le Lady Luck        B17 N°42-3495    St Seurin de Cadourne       3 prisonniers-6 évadés­1 décès

Le Buzz Z Buzzy  B24 N°42-7577    Large de Carcans 10 décès

Le Pessac Tartifume           B17 N°42-107088 Pessac Tartifume 2 prisonniers-8 décès

A la mémoire des hommes et des femmes qui firent le suprême sacrifice et de leure camarades qui survécurent aux opérations de combats qui furent menées, hommage à leur volonté, au courage des habitants de la Région, qui connurent les horreurs de la guerre.

In memory of those men and women who sacrificed their lives and to those who survived combat missions, praise to their will and to the resilience of the local people who faced the horrors of war.

Plaque inaugureé le 14 juin 2019 par Monsieur DARGENT, Sous-Préfét de Lesparre

et Monaisur HALL consul des Etats Unis à Bordeaux.

Plaque réalisée par les Arts et Métiers de BORDEAUX-TALENCE

English translation:

B17 Super Fortress                   B24 Liberator

In memory of the 99 American aviators fallen in Medoc and elsewhere.

on 31/11/1943, on 05/01/1944/, on 19/06/1944

Bomber Aircraft B17&B24

Breezing Home    B17 N°42-40002 St. Germain d'Esteuil          8 prisoners-2 escaped

Special Delivery   B17 N°42-37808 Carcans-Hourtin  5 prisoners -5 escaped

Black Jack IV        B17 N°42-30444 Carcans-Hourtin  4 prisoners -4 escaped ­2 deceased

Lucky Lady           B17 N°42-31164 Carcans-Hourtin  3 prisoners -6 escaped-1 deceased

Sioux City Queen B17 N°42-5899    St Laurent Médoc 3 prisoners -5 escaped ­2 deceased

Lil Butch B17 N°42-30112 St Laurent Médoc 1 escaped-9 deceased

Harmful Lil Armful B17 N°42-7754   Undetermined      5 prisoners -2 escaped­2 deceased

Lady Luck              B17 N°42-3495    St Seurin de Cadourne       3 prisoners -6 escaped­1 deceased

Buzz Z Buzzy       B24 N°42-7577    Off Carcans          10 deceased

Pessac Tartifume B17 N°42-107088 Pessac Tartifume 2 prisoners-8 deceased

In memory of those men and women who sacrificed their lives and to those who survived combat missions, praise to their will and to the resilience of the local people who faced the horrors of war.

The plaque was inaugurated on June 14, 2019, by Mr. DARGENT, Sub-Prefect of Lesparre, and Mr. HALL, Consul of the United States in Bordeaux.

Plaque made by the Arts and Crafts of BORDEAUX-TALENCE