2Lt Harold E. Kline Memorial Wall
Details:
2Lt Kline’s name is under the 1939-1945 list. His name is below J. AVEROUS.
A memorial wall listing the names of those who died during a specified range of years. The inscription is engraved and in black lettering.
After the success of the landing in Provence, the Allied aviation focused its efforts on Bas Languedoc in order to prevent the German columns from reaching the Rhone Valley. On August 18, 1944, the Lightning of the 71st FS / 1st FG of the 15th USAAF surprised a road convoy between Valros and Pézenas. The convoy, made up of German vehicles, was attacked by Lieutenant Harold E. Kline while Lieutenant Gérard E. Dodson remained in cover, due to a lack of ammunition. Aboard his P-38 J #42-104124 ‘Red Three,’ Lt Kline strafed the convoy across, making several passes. Most of the convoy was destroyed but during another pass, Lt. Kline was hit by the flak of the convoy. Seeking to regain altitude, he pitched his plane up, unfortunately, he could not avoid the Pioch de Conas and died in the crash.
Source of information and photos: www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
1939 – 1945
|
|
M. MAUREL |
A. SINGLA |
A. PAULHAN |
Y. TEISSONNIERE |
F. PUJOL |
P. VIDAL |
X. ROUCAIROL |
R. VIDAL |
T. RUIZ |
H. ICHE |
E. FERRIERES |
M. SANT |
H. COMBESCURE |
J. AVEROUS |
L. RUOT |
Lt HAROLD KLINE |
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
1st Fighter Group
71st Fighter Squadron
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII