2Lt Haugan W. Figgis Plaque
Details:
Attached on the wall on the northern edge of the garden.
A rectangular green plaque containing the story of the crash of 2Lt Figgis in Pouldergat. The plaque is written in French, English, and Breton, in white and printed lettering. On the left side of the plaque is the photo of the aviator. In the background, is an illustration of a P-47. The plaque was inaugurated on June 9, 2018. To the right of this plaque, is an aluminum plaque entitled "Ode to Birch" written by Maggis Figgis Van Galen that is dedicated to Haugan W. Figgis.
Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
French inscription:
Pendant la IIéme guerre mondiale, le 11 septembre 1944, touché par l'artillerie anti-aérienne allemande au-dessus de la Presqu'île de Crozon, le pilote de chasse américain Haugan W. Figgis, du 362éme escadron fut contraint de chercher à atterrir en "zone amie" (selon l'expression américaine désignant tous les secteurs libérés).
Ne pouvant se poser son avion, il dut se résoudre à sauter en parachute alors que son avion, un P-47 Thunderbolt, allait s'écraser dans la lande au lieu-dit Croas-Kerzergat. Aidé par la population, Haugan Figgis fut récupéré par l'armée américaine vers 17H30 en ce 11 septembre 1944.
Au cours de cette même guerre, il sera abattu par trois fois, et à chaque fois, il remontera dans un avion pour poursuivre sa mission militaire.
La "zone amie" ne l'a pas oublié et c'est au nom de cette amitié et de son courage, que nous lui dédions cet endroit.
English inscription:
During World War II, on September 11, 1944, the German anti-aircraft artillery hit the American fighter pilot Haugan W. Figgis, of the 362th Squadron, as he flew across the peninsula of Crozon. He had to try and land in the "friendly zone" (according to the American term for liberated areas).
Unable to land, he had to revert to using his parachute before his plane crashed in the moor by Croas-Kerzergat. Assisted by the local community, Haugan Figgis was rescued by the American Army around 17:30 that day.
During the very same war, he would be shot down three times and every time, he would climb back into his aircraft to resume his military duties.
We, the people of the "friendly zone", did not forget him, thus we dedicate this garden to him, and his courage.
Breton inscription:
An 11 a viz gwengolo 1944, goude bezañ bet paket gantañ eun tenn "Flak" a-us ledenez Kraon, al levier amerikan, Haugan W Figgis, eus an 362th Fighter Group, 379 Fighter, n'eus ranket dont a-us ar "Friendly zone", hervez anv amerikan roet d'an holl douarou dieubet.
Dre ma ne c'helle ket ken douarañ e garr-nij, eur P-47 Thunderbolt, n'eus ranket lammañ an-traon gant e harz-lamm, hag e garr-nij zo aet da n'em darzhañ war eun dachenn lann tost deus Kroas-Kerzergat.
Sikouret gant tud deus tro-war-dro, Haugan zo bet digaset kuit gant arme amerikan d'a pemp eur hanter bennak deus an abardaez an devezh-se 11 a viz gwengolo.
E pad ar brezel, al levier-se zo bet kaset d'an traoñ teier wech, ha bep tro n'eus pignet adare barz eur harr-nij evit kas d'a benn e garg soudard.
Ar "Friendly zone" n'eus ket disoñjet anezhañ, ar lec'h mañ a ra memor deomp eus hor mignoniezh hag e galonerezh.
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
362nd Fighter Group
379th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
