Monument Details

B-17 (41-24620) Snap! Crackle! Pop! Memorial

Details:

The western side of the Bd Jean Joseph de Cacqueray.

Monument
A rough grey vertical stone monument set on a tile walkway bearing a black plaque with gold lettering commemorating American aviators.

Miracle on Snap!, Crackle!, Pop!: On January 3, 1943, in the midst of a bombing raid on German torpedo stores at St Nazaire, France, a miracle took place that is still remembered years after.

S/Sgt. Alan Magee, from the 360th Sqdn. a gunner in B-17 #41-24620, aptly named Snap! Crackle! Pop! was tossed out of his burning aircraft at 20,000 feet. Unfortunately, he was not wearing a parachute. As he fell from the plane, he asked God to save his life. "I don't wish to die because I know nothing of life" was his appeal to The Almighty." Then he lost consciousness and crashed through the glass roof of the St. Nazaire railroad station.

He regained consciousness in the first aid station where he was carried before he was taken to a hospital. "I owe the German military doctor who treated me a debt of gratitude," said Magee. "He told me, 'we are enemies, but I am first a doctor and I will do my best to save your arm.'" The doctor, whose name he never found out, saved his arm and also took care of his multitude of injuries.

All this action took place on the 303rd Bomb Group's ninth bombing mission and fifth to St. Nazaire. It proved to be a costly mission. The group lost four aircraft to enemy air action, one carried Major C. C. Sheridan, the 427th Squadron Commander.

Magee at his crew's monument On the 23rd of September 1995 Alan E. Magee, accompanied by his wife Helen, returned to St Nazaire to take part in a ceremony sponsored by French citizens, dedicating a memorial to his seven fellow crewmen killed in the crash of Snap! Crackle! Pop! in the forest at La Baule Escoublac on Jan. 3, 1943.

Source: 303rd Bomber Group Association Website

Monument Text:

8TH US AIR FORCE

303RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP

360TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON

EN SOUVENIR DES VICTIMES DU CRASH

DU B-17F "SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!"

LE 3 JANVIER 1943

Lt Arthur I. Adams	Pilote
Lt Gene A. Witterstetter	Co-Pilote
Lt Michael L. Libonati	Bombardier
Sgt Dennis C. Hart	Mécanicien
Sgt Alfred M. Union	Radio
Sgt Marvin L. Milam	Mitrailleur
Sgt Edward W. Durant	Mitrailleur

INAUGURE PAR Alan E. Magee

MITRAILLEUR RESCAPE DU

"SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!"

LE 23 SEPTEMBRE 1995

English Translation:

8TH US AIR FORCE

303RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP

360TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON

IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE CRASH

OF THE B-17F "SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!"

ON JANUARY 3, 1943

Lt Arthur I. Adams	Pilot
Lt Gene A. Witterstetter	Co-Pilot
Lt Michael L. Libonati	Bombardier
Sgt Dennis C. Hart	Mechanic
Sgt Alfred M. Union	Radio
Sgt Marvin L. Milam	Gunner
Sgt Edward W. Durant	Gunner