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B-17 42-38009 Plaques

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Details:

On the wall of the hall beside the tourism office.


Plaque

Three rounded-rectangular metal plaques engraved with commemoration messages written in French and English. Originally, there is only one plaque. The second plaque was added by the children of Sgt Wilczek and Cpt Kelly on October 10, 2015. The third was on June 11, 2019, by the daughters of Sgt Campbell. These plaques remember the crew of the B-17 #42-38009 that crashed near the commune as well as their rescuers.

 

On June 15, 1944, during a bombing mission, #42-38009 was hit by heavy flak setting fire to one engine. All crew members bail out before the B-17 crashes near Bazas. Through the help of local citizens and maquis, they were able to escape and evade German capture.

 

The crew that day:

2Lt

Charles Herbert

Kelly

Pilot

2Lt

Robert Charles

Disbrow

Co-Pilot

F/O

Frank A J

Champ

Navigator

Sgt

Simon John

Wilczek

Bombardier

S/Sgt

Charles F

Brashear

Mechanic/Gunner

S/Sgt

Harold C Jr

Brooks

Radio Operator/ Gunner

Sgt

Ralph J

Workman

Ball Turret Gunner

Sgt

Alfred M

Campbell

Right Waist Gunner

Sgt

Donald S

Graham

Tail Gunner

 

Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net, www.aerosteles.net

Source of photos: www.aerosteles.net

Monument Text:

(From the top plaque to the bottom)

 

First plaque:

 

En souvenir des membres cie l'équipage du B17

américain tombé ia Coimères le 15 juin 1944.

 

 

En hommage aux habitants et aux résistants du

Bazadais qui ont permis leur retour en Angleterre.

 

 

English translation:

 

In memory of the members of the crew of the American B17

crew that fell in Coimères on June 15, 1944.

 

 

In homage to the inhabitants and the resistance fighters of

Bazadais who allowed their return to England.

 

 

Second Plaque:

 

With deep gratitude to the French Resistance and the

people of Bazadais for saving the lives of our fathers in

the summer of 1944.

 

and

 

for their continued friendship and camaraderie with the

people of The United States of America

 

 

With Love from the Sons and Daughters

of Sgt. Simon J. Wilczek and Capt. Charles H. Kelly

 

 

                          October 10, 2015

 

 

Third Plaque:

 

In remembrance of the nine American airmen whose B17

was downed on June 15, 1944, and the inhabitants and

resistance fighters of Bazadais who rescued them.

 

Let us never forget the courageous deeds of these men

and women 75 years ago in the summer of 1944.

 

With eternal gratitude from the daughters of

Sgt. Alfred M. Campbell, Jr.

 

 

 

                                 2019, June 11