An upright, oval shape, stone monument on a stone base, bearing a rectangular black plaque that is inscribed in French commemorating two American aviators, 2Lt Henry T. Gillespie, and 2Lt Earl L. Peters. Printed on the left side of the names are the photos of the two aviators. Both men were killed in an air attack during a mission and their airplanes crashed in Mallebois.

The mission of June 17th, 1944:

From May to the beginning of June, the pilots of the 367th Fighter Group acquired a certain experience.

Contrary to the rainy day of June 16th, the sunny day of June 17th was favorable to air operations and a new mission was entrusted to the 367th Fighter Group: the dive-bombing of railroads and railroad bridges located in an area between Evreux and Dreux, as well as the marshaling yard of Epernon.

The formation which took off from Stoney Cross around 1:30 pm was composed as follows :

13 P-38 Lightning of the 392nd Fighter Squadron led by Major Rogers.

16 P-38 of 393rd F.S. led by Captain Griffin.

15 P-38 of the 394th F.S. led by Lt Carmody.

The flight plan consisted in flying over Christchurch in England at 13h36, then Etretat at 13h57 to arrive in the zone. Evreux-Dreux area at 14h16.

As it approached its objective, the 367th Fighter Group was attacked by Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf109s. Soon it lost three P-38 Lightning.

The P-38 Lightning of 2nd Lt. Henry T. Gillespie of the 392nd F.S. crashed at Maillebois, at the place called "La Barberie."

After having shot down an enemy fighter, the P-38 of the 2nd Lt. Earl L. Peters of the 393rd F.S. crashed in its turn, at the place called "Les Remises."

Source of information and photos: www.aerosteles.net