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Douglas C-47 42-93095

<< Back to Beuzeville-au-Plain

Details:

On the SW side of the D17 by the gravel plot.


Monument

A winglike brick wall bordered by stone and set on a stone slab bearing a black plaque with gold lettering commemorating American aviators and parachutists. A descriptive sign stands nearby.

Monument Text:

Plaque:

D-Day le 6 Juin 1944, a 1h12 AM l'equipage d'un C-47 du 439th Troop Carrier Group et 17 parachutistes du 506th Infantry Regiment de la 101st Airborne Division perdirent la vie a Beuzeville au Plain pour notre liberte.

In memory
Equipage du C-47 du 439th TCG
Pilot 1st Lt Capelluto Harold A. O-530935
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Fanelli John J. O-696844
Navigator 2nd Lt Friedman Bernard O-698426
Engineer Sgt Tillotson Albert R. Jr. 18201054
Radio Operator Sgt Thompson Norman E. 36476582

Parachutistes du 506 PIR
1st Lt Meehan Thomas O-437484
1st Sgt Evans William S. 18117497
SSgt Roberts Murray B. 14083048
Sgt Murray Elmer L. Jr. 19125297
Sgt Richard Owen E. 20365291
Sgt Riggs Carl N. 39103579
T5 Collins Herman F. 11098566
T5 Wentzel Jerry A. 19112534
T5 Wimer Ralph H. 33445711
PFC Elliot George L. 14139866
PFC McConigal William T. 11102116
PFC Miller John N. 33216794
PFC Moya Sergio G. 39124765
PFC Snider Gerald R. 15107810
PFC Telstad Elmer L. 36818763
PFC Warren Thomas W. 14147423
PVT Oats Earnest L. 15331144

Sign:

Cet avion no. 66 volait en tete de formation. Transperce d'obus par la defense anti-aerienne, il tenta un atterissage de fortune. Puis s'ecrasa violemment contre une haie et explosa. Il brula sans discontinuer pendant 3 jours, avec une chaleur si intense que toute approche fut impossible.

Le lieutenant T. Meehan III, commandant de la companie "E" du 506th PIR, se trouve a bord avec la section d'etat-major et transportait cartes, documents, plans, "qui firent bien defaut" aux troupes au debut du debarquement.

Les producteurs S. Spielberg et T. Hanks du film Band of Brothers parlent de ce heros et du lieutenant T. Meehan III disparus.

Lors des recherches, l'association Forced Landing ne tirera des 80cm de cendres que des plaques matricules, crickets, bagues, une montre aux aiguilles fossilisees a 1h12 AM, des boucles de parachutes toutes fermees et un casque...plat comme une feuille de papier.

English translation (sign):

This plane, no.66, was at the head of its formation. Hit by shells from AA fire, it tried to crash land but crashed against a hedgerow and exploded. It burned continuously for three days, emanating a heat so intense no one could approach it.

Lieutenant T. Meehan III, commander of "E" company 506th PIR, was on board with his staff in possession of maps, documents, and plans that his troops sorely missed at the start of the landings.

Film producers S. Spielberg and T. Hanks mentioned Lieutenant T. Meehan III and the rest of these heroes in the fim Band of Brothers.

During their research, the Forced Landing Association would only pull out dog tags, crickets, rings, a watch frozen at 0112, closed parachute rings, and a helmet flattened like a pancake from the ashes.

English translation (plaque):

On D-Day June 6th 1944 at 0112 the crew of a C-47 from 439th Troop Carrier Group as well as 17 parachutists of the 506th Infantry Regiment and 101st Airborne Division lost their lives for our freedom when they crashed at Beuzeville au Plain.

In memory of the C-47 crew of 439th TCG

506th PIR Parachutists

Commemorates:

People:

Harold A. Capelluto

Herman F. Collins

George L. Elliott

William S. Evans

John J. Fanelli

Bernard Friedman

William T. McGonigal Jr.

Thomas Meehan III

John N. Miller

Sergio G. Moya

Elmer L. Murray Jr.

Ernest L. Oats

Richard E. Owen

Carl N. Riggs

Murray B. Roberts

Gerald R. Snider

Elmer L. Telstad

Norman E. Thompson

Albert R. Tillotson Jr.

Thomas W. Warren

Jerry A. Wentzel

Ralph H. Wimer

Units:

506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group

9th Tactical Carrier Corps

United States Air Force

United States Army

Wars:

WWII

Battles:

Normandy Invasion

Other images :