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B-24 'R-Baby' (42-52173) & Sgt Archie Lafond Crash Marker

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Details:

On a sharp narrow rock outcropping.

Marker

A small metallic inscribed plaque which may be part of the aircraft.

The marker remembers the B-24 (42-52173) 'R-Baby' bomber and specifically Sergeant Archie M. Lafond who was the Tail Gunner on the of the 736th Bomber Squadron, 454th Bomber Group, 15th Air Force that was shot down here on July 7, 1944 after a mission to bomb the Odertal Refinery. Only Sgt. Lafond was killed in action.  The rest were taken as POWs and the Pilot, 1LT John B. Wilson was able to evade capture. Missing Aircraft Report (MACR): 6371

Another memorial remembers Sgt Lafond.  See Site Dubodiel -  Sgt Archie Lafond Memorial Plaque -454th Bomber Group

Special thanks to 'Silent Wings Over Slovakia' for assistance with this memorial.

Source of information and photos:

Silent Wings Over Slovakia Facebook page; https://mapy.com

Monument Text:

The plaque is inscribed in Slovakian and reads:

Na tomto mieste sa da 7. júla 1944 po boji zrútilo americké bombardovacie lietadlo Consolidated B 24H 10 FO Liberator 454th Bombardment Group U.S. 15th Army Air Force. Jeden len z posádky S/SGT Archie M. Lafond Visalia, California tragicky zahynul.

Translation:

On July 7, 1944, following a battle, an American Consolidated B-24H-10-FO Liberator bomber of the 454th Bombardment Group, U.S. 15th Army Air Force crashed at this site. One crew member, Staff Sergeant Archie M. Lafond from Visalia, California, tragically lost his life.

Commemorates:

Units:

15th Air Force

454th Bomber Group (H)

736th Bomber Squadron, 454th Bomber Group, Heavy

Resistance

Wars:

WWII

Other images :