Memorial Panel Crashed B-24 at Château Chambord

This memorial panel is situated in the garden of Château Chambord. On it is the following text in French and English:

On June 22, 1944, during World War II, an American heavy bomber, a B-24 "Liberator" from the U.S. Army 8th Air Force based in England, crashed here after bombing an airport southwest of Paris and being crippled by antiaircraft fire and German fighter planes. The aircraft’s pilot, Lt. William Kalan, had directed his crew to parachute earlier although he and co-pilot Lt. Kenneth Klemstine remained abord until shortly before the crash. At the time, priceless masterpieces from the Louvre Museum were hidden in the Château Chambord.

The two pilots were hidden separately by residents of the nearby villages of Huisseau-sur-Cosson and Montlivault for several months – during which time Lt. Kalan took part in Allied arms drops and other Resistance engagements – before both pilots crossed the Loire to join approaching U.S. troops.

During WWII, 152 pilots and crewmembers were rescued by the network Comête, based in the forest of Freteval on the Gaudinière farm.

Lieutenant KALAN William Pilot
Lieutenant KLEMSTINE Kenneth Copilot
Lieutenant SMITH James Bomber
Sergeant HORRIGAN Roy Radio
Sergeant FRONTIS Evins Mitrailleur
Sergeant SHOCKEY Robert Mitrailleur
Sergeant PAXTON Stanley Mitrailleur
Sergeant SEXTON Robert Mitrailleur
Sergeant CRAIG Charles Mitrailleur

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Source

• Text: Kevin Prenger
• Photos: Coen Prenger