Douglas C-47 42-92700 Crash Site Memorial
Details:
On the edge of the Claude Berthier trail.
A thick rectangular plaque mounted on a stone boulder inscribed in French in black and engraved lettering.
During a medical evacuation mission on November 1, 1944, the airplane hit a mountain and crashed in this place due to poor weather conditions. All men aboard perished in the crash (5 crew members, 4 wounded American servicemen passengers, and 6 wounded German prisoners). The German prisoners were Anton Eppenschwantiner, Bertholdt Hennegriff, Heinrich Loesch, Erich Kimmerle, Max Schman, and Ottmars Spang.
The names of the allies are as follows:
|
1Lt |
Carson Max |
Roberts |
Pilot |
|
2Lt |
William C |
Ward |
Co-Pilot |
|
Sgt |
Shirley N |
Breckenridge |
Mechanic |
|
Cpl |
Howard E |
Kahler |
Radio Operator |
|
1Lt |
Aleda Ester |
Lutz |
Nurse |
|
Cpt |
William A |
Steinhurst |
Passenger |
|
1Lt |
Roger N |
Phillips |
Passenger |
|
S/Sgt |
Leonard B |
Vasquez |
Passenger |
|
Sgt |
Ronald |
Takara |
Passenger |
|
Pfc |
Ellis Frederick "Bub" |
Gillespie |
Passenger |
|
Pfc |
Ciro J |
Romano |
Passenger |
|
Pvt |
Edwin |
Beal |
Passenger |
|
Pvt |
John |
Ferrara |
Passenger |
|
Pvt |
John J Jr |
Young |
Passenger |
The related memorial can be found here: https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=620&MemID=903
Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
Ici s’est ecrase un avion
militaire américain
le 1er Novembre 1944
English translation:
Here crashed an
American military plane
on the 1st of November 1944