The town war memorial is on the west side of the road. The plaque for 2Lt Sawicki is attached to the base of the monument, facing north.

Plaque

A rectangular gray plaque written in French in gold lettering honoring 2Lt Sawicki who died on June 8, 1944, in Princé, France.

From June 6 to 8, 1944, the 339th Fighter Group and other Eighth Air Force units flew continuous missions. On June 8, in poor weather, the 339th executed dive-bombing runs near Rennes. They split into three squadrons targeting bridges, trains, and a convoy. During the mission, eight FW-190s engaged them, resulting in dogfights. The 339th shot down all eight FW-190s but lost three aircraft and two pilots: Lt. Robert Smith, shot down by an FW-190, and Lt. Joseph F. Sawicki, hit by anti-aircraft fire. Lt. William A. Jones also lost his aircraft but survived. 2Lt. Sawicki was a replacement pilot who had joined the 505th on May 13, 1944, shortly after he arrived at Fowlmere. He was credited with destroying one Enemy Aircraft on the ground on May 27, 1944.

Source of information: www.absa3945.com

Source of photo: www.memorialgenweb.org, www.tracesofwar.com

Lieutenant Joseph SAWICKI

Tombe le 8 Juin 1944

English translation:

Lieutenant Joseph SAWICKI

Fell on June 8, 1944