In front of the base of the town’s monument to the dead.

A small, white, stone plaque containing a commemoration message for 2Lt Kline that is inscribed in French in red lettering. 

After the success of the landing in Provence, the Allied aviation focused its efforts on Bas Languedoc in order to prevent the German columns from reaching the Rhone Valley. On August 18, 1944, the Lightning of the 71st FS / 1st FG of the 15th USAAF surprised a road convoy between Valros and Pézenas. The convoy, made up of German vehicles, was attacked by Lieutenant Harold E. Kline while Lieutenant Gérard E. Dodson remained in cover, due to a lack of ammunition. Aboard his P-38 J #42-104124 ‘Red Three,’ Lt Kline strafed the convoy across, making several passes. Most of the convoy was destroyed but during another pass, Lt. Kline was hit by the flak of the convoy. Seeking to regain altitude, he pitched his plane up, unfortunately, he could not avoid the Pioch de Conas and died in the crash.

Source of information and photos: www.aerosteles.net

A l'Aviateur KLINE

Tombé à Pézenas le 18 Août 1944

KLINE, c'est le beau nom du Héros qui dort là

Du noble aviateur que nous n'oublierons pas

De celui qui est tombé pour sauver notre France

Et à qui nous devons notre reconnaissance

English translation:

To the Aviator KLINE

Fallen in Pézenas on August 18, 1944

KLINE, it is a beautiful name of the Hero who sleeps there

Of the noble aviator that we will not forget

Of the one who fell to save our France

And to whom we owe our gratitude