Big Red (B-17 42-30207) Memorial Information Board
Details:
Next to the monument.
Marker
A rectangular panel mounted in a wooden frame and support commemorating the B-17 Flying Fortress "Big Red", an American bomber that crashed here in this forest on March 27, 1944. The board also has the image of the plane and is written in French.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Big Red" was part of the 388th Bomb Group, 561st Bomb Squadron of the U.S. 8th Air Force. On March 27, 1944, during a bombing mission targeting Bordeaux's port and factories, the bomber, piloted by Lieutenant Waite Law, took off from Knettishall airfield in Suffolk, England, alongside a formation of 546 other B-17s.
On March 27, 1944, during the mission, the plane encountered mechanical difficulties and began losing altitude, becoming engulfed in smoke. Despite attempts to return to England, "Big Red" veered off course and eventually made a full loop above Aizenay. At around 2:15 pm, it tragically exploded and crashed into the nearby forest of Aizenay, 50 meters above the ground. Out of the 10 crew members, four perished in the crash.
Source of information: en.kilroytrip.fr
Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
MÉMORIAL DE BIG-RED
la forteresse volante amèricaine « CRASHÉE »
en forêt d'Aizenay
le 27 Mars 1944
English Translation:
BIG-RED MEMORIAL
The American Flying Fortress "CRASHED"
in the forest of Aizenay
on March 27, 1944
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
388th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
561st Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy
8th Air Force
United States Air Force
Wars:
WWII