Memorial Crew B24 Liberator ‘Miss I Hope’

In preparation for planned landings in France, the Allies stepped up their air operations with the aim of damaging or destroying German military installations.

On Saturday 27 May 1944, four bomber groups of the 304th Bomber-Wing of the 15th Air Force U.S. took off from their bases in the recently liberated south of Italy to attack the German airfield near Montpellier/Fréjorgues, including the 30 aircraft of the 454th Bomber-Group.

Shortly before the ‘Miss I Hope’ crossed the French coast via the Cap Roux massif in the Estérel, the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber was hit directly by the German Flak protecting the Anthéor viaduct. The aircraft spiralled down and landed in the sea in the Agay port channel.

Four crew members managed to save themselves with their parachutes, but were almost immediately taken prisoner of war. The nose turret gunner also managed to jump, but his parachute caught fire. The remaining crew members were unable to leave the aircraft and perished. Four of them are buried in the American Rhone Cemetery in Draguignan.

It was not until late August 1984 that the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered during a reconnaissance dive in the Bay of Agay, at a depth of 42 metres. The aircraft's registration number was still clearly legible, leaving no possibility of doubt.

On Saturday 5 October 1997, a memorial stone was unveiled in the ‘Jardin de l'Oratoire’ in memory of the crew of this bomber. A commemoration is held here every year at the end of May.

In spring 2002, divers from the Toulon naval base surveyed the site for safety reasons and destroyed 29 bombs that were still active.

When the memorial was manufactured, the name ‘Ophelia Bump’ was engraved on the stone. This is the serial name of the plane. However, the plane's real name is ‘Miss I Hope’.

Text on the top plaque :
IN MEMORIAM
IN TRIBUTE
TO THE CREW OF LIBERATOR N 42.78213
15th U.S. AIR FORCE 454th BOMBER GROUP 736th SQUADRON
SHOT DOWN by FLAK at CAP ROUX on May 27, 1944, at 9:20 a.m.
2nd Lt Robert V. BATZ +
George E. ERLEWINE +
Robert T. BRAGG +
James A. LOGAN
Sgt Ward O. BOWMAN +
Gene J. VODOPIA
Robert F. ROYER +
Glyde K. PETERS
Albert G. LITTLE
William J. RAMSAY +
LEST WE FORGET

Text on lower plaque :
STELE INAUGURATED ON 4.10.1997
WITH THE HELP OF THE CITY OF St RAPHAEL
AMERICAN LEGION POST 5
THE VOLUNTEER FIGHTERS
THE FRENCH REMEMBRANCE
AND THE NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF INTERALLIED FIGHTERS

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Source

• Text: Rudi Triki
• Photos: Rudi Triki