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
Commemorates:
People:
Ellis Frederick "Bub" Gillespie
Units:
12th Air Force
136th Malaria Control Unit
141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division
15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
17th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Group
192nd Tank Battalion
36th Infantry Division
3rd Infantry Division
72nd Anti-Aircraft Gun Battalion
7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
802nd Medical Air Evacuation Squadron
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Italian Campaign