On the wall to the right of the entrance gate.

Plaque

A rectangular black plaque honoring the pilots and ground personnel specifically the 358^th Fighter Group who participated in the battle between July 3 and August 14, 1944. The plaque was unveiled on June 7, 2014, by the Association D.Day.Overlord and is inscribed in French.

From July 3 to August 14, 1944, the Château de Franquetot served as the operational base for the 358th Fighter Group of the 9th U.S. Army Air Force. The group used Advanced Landing Ground A-14, an airfield constructed nearby by the 819th Engineer Aviation Battalion. Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolt fighters, the 358th conducted a variety of missions, including bomber escort, ground attack, and close air support to Allied troops during and after the Normandy invasion.

Initially, the 358th was tasked with protecting troop carriers and bombers during D-Day operations. As the Allied forces advanced through France, the group shifted its focus to ground support, targeting enemy tanks, vehicles, and anti-aircraft defenses. The Château de Franquetot provided accommodations for the unit’s officers and became their base until mid-August, shortly before the group moved on as the front lines progressed further into Europe.

Source of information: www.kaiserslauternamerican.com, www.dday-overlord.com

Source of photo: en.kilroytrip.fr

DU 3 JUILLET AU 14 AOUT 1944

LE CHATEAU DE FRANQUETOT ACCUEILLE

LE 358TH FIGHTER GROUP DE USAAF

QUI OPERE DEPUIS LE TERRAIN D'AVIATION A-14

SOUVENONS NOUS DES PILOTES

ET PERSONNELS AU SOL

MORTS POUR LA LIBERATION DE LA FRANCE

7 JUIN 2014

ASSOCIATION D.DAY.OVERLORD

English Translation:

FROM JULY 3 TO AUGUST 14, 1944

THE CHÂTEAU DE FRANQUETOT HOSTED

THE 358TH FIGHTER GROUP OF THE USAAF

OPERATING FROM AIRFIELD A-14

LET US REMEMBER THE PILOTS

AND GROUND PERSONNEL

WHO DIED FOR THE LIBERATION OF FRANCE

JUNE 7, 2014

ASSOCIATION D.DAY.OVERLORD