On the north side of the road.

Monument

A polished stone, shaped asymmetrically, and mounted on a rectangular base monument commemorating 1Lt Robert W. Ahern who died on April 23, 1944. The monument is written in French and was inaugurated in 2018.

On April 23, 1944, 1Lt Ahern took off on a combat mission from Kings Cliffe Airfield in Northamptonshire, England, as part of the 55th Fighter Squadron of the 20th Fighter Group under the U.S. 8th Air Force. Piloting a P-38 Lightning with serial number 42-67885, Ahern was tasked with a mission over occupied France targeting the Tours area.

During this mission, around 14:41, his aircraft was hit by a German anti-aircraft fire (flak) near Valmeray. The intense flak caused severe damage, igniting a fire that ultimately destroyed the plane. Tragically, Ahern was unable to escape and was killed in the crash.

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net

Source of photo: www.normandie44lamemoire.com

À la mémoire

du Lt Robert W. AHERN Jr.

Pilote du P-47

Tombé le 23 avril 1944

Mort pour notre liberté

English Translation:

In Memory

of Lt. Robert W. AHERN

P-47 Pilot

Fell on April 23, 1944

Died for our Freedom