On the south side of the road.

Plaque

A rectangular plaque mounted on a rectangular stone honoring 2nd Lt. Elmer K. Torgesen, who was captured in the area on the night of August 13–14, 1944, and was later deported as a prisoner of war. Written in French, the plaque features a photograph of Lt. Torgesen, an image of his B-24 Liberator, and the emblems of the 15th Air Force, POW-MIA, and the 37th Fighter Squadron.

On the night of August 13–14, 1944, 2nd Lt. Torgesen, a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot, was shot down over France. He was wounded, attempted to evade capture, but was ultimately apprehended by German forces in the vicinity of Violès. Following his capture, Lt. Torgesen was deported to Germany and imprisoned at Stalag Luft III, located in Sagan-Silesia (now Żagań, Poland). Later, he was transferred to Nuremberg-Langwasser, another POW camp in Bavaria. He remained a prisoner until the end of the war, after which he was liberated and returned to military control.

Source of information: www.sonsoflibertymuseum.org

Source of photos: Nico Courtine

2^nd Lt. Elmer K. TORGESEN

23 ans – New York City – USA

Blessé, évadé et capturé dans

la nuit du 13 au 14 Août 1944 à Violès

DÉPORTÉ POUR NOTRE LIBERTÉ

English Translation:

23 years old – New York City – USA

Wounded, escaped, and captured

on the night of August 13-14, 1944, in Violès

DEPORTED FOR OUR FREEDOM