The marker is at ground level under a canopy of pine trees adjacent to a stream bed. (See picture map for exact location).

The marker is an inscribed silver metal plaque attached to a large stone.  Part of the aircraft wing is set as the backdrop.

On April 4, 1945 twelve B-25 Medium bombers of the 380^th Bomber Squadron, 310^th Bomber Group, 57^thBomber Wing based out of Ghisonaccia, Corsica  are returning from a mission to bomb the railroad bridges at Drauburg (Oberdrauburg), Austria.  While in formation, B-25 (43-27552) “Pretzel”, piloted by 1LT Frank S. Miller, came in contact with B-25 (43-27737) “Oklahoma Betsie” piloted by 1LT Donald Oliver.  “Pretzel” with a damaged wing crashes immediately near Monte Zoncolan with complete loss of life. “Oklahoma Betsie” is also damaged, but pilot Oliver is able to manage to control the plane to allow some crew members to bail out.  “Oklahoma Betsie” crashed near Lovea, a neighborhood of the town of Arte Terme in Carnia; Pilot Oliver and 2 others perish in the crash. (Reference:  Missing Aircraft Reports {MACR} 13682 and 13685). For more on Oklahoma Betsie, see this website, B-25 Oklahoma Betsie (43-27737).

Members of the Crew the B-25 “Pretzel”  included:

Pilot: 1LT. Frank Sylvester Miller; O-823662; Stuebenville, Jefferson Co., OH
Co-Pilot: 1LT. Henry Paul Malinowski; O-1692747; Westfield, Hampden Co., MASS
Navigator: None
Bombardier: F/O Arthur George Generous, Jr.; T-128915; East Hartford, Hartford County, CT
Radio-Gunner: SGT. George Joseph Minerva; 32886047; Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY
Turret Gunner: S/SGT. Claiborne McDonald Fuller; 14172934; Henderson, Vance Co., NC
Tail Gunner: S/SGT. Samuel Harrison Gill; 38321029; Red Rock, Noble Co., OK

On April 4, 2015, the 70^th Anniversary of the crash, the Carnia Greeters and the  Associazione Culturale Clavajas placed this maker to remember the sacrifice of the crew of “Pretzel”.

This site is difficult to find as it is in a remote location. Suggest visitors contact the Carnia Greeters (https://en.carniagreeters.it/home/) for assistance.

The text is written in Italian and reads:

United States Army Air Force

310^th Bombardment Group

380^th Bombardment Squadron

North American B-25 Mitchell

CRASH SITE

Serial Number:  43-27552                                                  Nickname:  “Pretzel”

Secondo Guerra Mondiale, 4 Aprile 1945  ore 15:45

I B-25 Mitchell bombardieri medi americani, appartenenti al

380^th Bomb. Squadron di stanza in Corsica, stanno rientrando

da una missione di bombardamento su Drauburg (Austria).

Il B-25 matricola 43-27552 denominato “Pretzel” entra in collisione

con un altro dei dodice velivoli che stannp procendendo in formazione.

Nel contatto un’ala viene strappata via e L’aereo precipota schiantandosi

In questo sito.  Nessuno dei sei memberi dell’equipaggio sopravive

In memory of:

4^th April 1945

1^st Lt. Frank S. Miller Jr.

1^st Lt. Henry Paul Malinoski

Flt. Arthur G. Generous Jr.

Sgt. George J. Minerva

S/Sgt Claiborne M. Fuller

S/Sgt. Samuel Harrison Gill Jr.

Translation in English:

United States Army Air Force

310^th Bombardment Group

380^th Bombardment Squadron

North American B-25 Mitchell

CRASH SITE

Serial Number:  43-27552                                                  Nickname: “Pretzel”

Second World War, 4 April 1945 at 15:45 hours

The B-25 Medium American Bombers of the 

380^th Bomber Squadron stationed in Corsica, are returning

From a bombing mission on Drauburg (Austria).

The B-25 serial # 43-27552, nicknamed “Pretzel” collides 

With another of the 12 planes in formation.

The contact causes a wing to be torn off and the 

Airplane crashed on this site.  None of the 6 crew members survive.

In memory of:

4^th April 1945

1^st Lt. Frank S. Miller Jr.

1^st Lt. Henry Paul Malinoski

Flt. Arthur G. Generous Jr.

Sgt. George J. Minerva

S/Sgt Claiborne M. Fuller

S/Sgt. Samuel Harrison Gill Jr.