Panel C-47 n°42-23638

by , KilroyTrip

Sign paying tribute to C-47 Dakota No. 42-23638 which crashed nearby on June 6, 1944 after being hit by FLAK fire.
Panel text:
Memorial 1944 Tuesday, June 6, 1944
After taking off from Barkston airfield, the Douglas C-47 piloted by Lieutenant William Hiltztaler headed south towards the Cotentin peninsula. The mission on this night of June 6 is to drop a stick of paratroopers belonging to Company F of the 2nd battalion of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division on the Amfreville sector.
Approaching the coast, the group enters a cloud mass. Lieutenant Hiltztaler leading the group decides to pass over it and make for the drop zone. Lieutenant Middlebrook, flying nearby, is the last to see the aircraft. Shortly afterwards, Lieutenant Hiltztaler's aircraft comes under fire from D.C.A.
The controls no longer respond, and the pilot gives the order to jump before it's too late. Over the countryside in the Négreville sector around 22 parachutes open, scattering the men at random. The luckiest of them were picked up and hidden by local residents, and made their way to the Allied lines. Two or three bodies were found in the charred remains of the plane. One man was not identified. The operator, Montgomery Orlo, is still considered "missing".
Part of his mortal remains probably lie under X in the Colleville cemetery. All this research has been possible thanks to the eyewitnesses living in and around this hamlet. They have been the precious guardians of memory.

Sign paying tribute to C-47 Dakota No. 42-23638 which crashed nearby on June 6, 1944 after being hit by FLAK fire. Panel text: Memorial 1944 Tuesday, June 6, 1944 After taking off from Barkston airfield, the Douglas C-47 piloted by Lieutenant William Hiltztaler headed south towards the Cotentin peninsula. The mission on this night of June 6 is to drop a stick of paratroopers belonging to Company F of the 2nd battalion of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division on the Amfreville sector. Approaching the coast, the group enters a cloud mass. Lieutenant Hiltztaler leading the group decides to pass over it and make for the drop zone. Lieutenant Middlebrook, flying nearby, is the last to see the aircraft. Shortly afterwards, Lieutenant Hiltztaler's aircraft comes under fire from D.C.A. The controls no longer respond, and the pilot gives the order to jump before it's too late. Over the countryside in the Négreville sector around 22 parachutes open, scattering the men at random. The luckiest of them were picked up and hidden by local residents, and made their way to the Allied lines. Two or three bodies were found in the charred remains of the plane. One man was not identified. The operator, Montgomery Orlo, is still considered missing. Part of his mortal remains probably lie under X in the Colleville cemetery. All this research has been possible thanks to the eyewitnesses living in and around this hamlet. They have been the precious guardians of memory.