On the façade of the apartment.

Plaque

A rectangular blue plaque commemorating 2Lt Eugene E. Bennett, a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot with the 62nd Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group who was shot down in the town on June 7, 1944. The French Resistance and town citizens helped him escape and evade the enemy. The plaque is written in French.

On June 7, 1944, 2nd Lieutenant Eugene E. Bennett was part of a mission to strafe the German-held Evreux airfield in Normandy, France. Flying a P-47 Thunderbolt, serial number 42-76254, Bennett took off from Boxted Airfield in Essex, England, at the early hour of 6:45 a.m. As he approached his target, his plane was struck by German anti-aircraft fire (Flak), causing his engine to catch fire. Forced to bail out at around 1,000 feet, Bennett managed to escape the burning aircraft just before it crashed near Bazoches-au-Houlme.

After parachuting safely to the ground, Bennett was assisted by French locals who hid him from German forces in the area. He quickly connected with the French Resistance, who provided shelter and guidance as he evaded capture. Bennett's journey through occupied France lasted several weeks, as he moved between safe houses and remained under the protection of courageous civilians. Eventually, after weeks of evasion, Bennett returned safely to England on August 8, 1944. 

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net, http://media.nara.gov/nw/305270/EE-894.pdf

Source of photo: www.kilroytrip.fr

RUE

LT EUGENE BENNETT

1923 – 1996

PILOTE AMÉRICAIN ABATTU

PAR LA DCA ALLEMANDE LE 7 JUIN 1944

English Translation:

STREET

LT EUGENE BENNETT

1923 – 1996

AMERICAN PILOT SHOT DOWN

BY GERMAN DCA ON JUNE 7, 1944