ARTICLES ABOUT CODDINGTON MEMORIAL

Rough translations of these articles.

The Remains of a U.S. Plane Exhumed

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Fighter and bomber, the legendary P‑38 Lightning was dubbed "devil with a forked tail" by the Germans.

It crashed in St. Fraimbault-of-Prayers in 1944. The town and the association Mayenne pay tribute to WW2 pilot by erecting a monument. It will be inaugurated in June.

"The plane was in flames. He started to turn, then he fell. " Jeanne Bourgault was 14 years, June 7, 1944. Witnessed the crash of a twin-engine American fighter in St. Fraimbault de Prayers, these images have remained etched in his memory.

Sixty-six years have passed. In early 2010, the association Mayenne WW2 which is dedicated to the memory of the Second World War through the Department launched ¯ a research effort to find the precise location of the crash. Even the wreckage with the help of the association detection 53, which uses metal detectors.

Fluke. "The field where the plane fell was, and always remained, a pasture, says Vincent Orrière, vice president of WW2, based in the frame. It has never been plowed. This has facilitated the work. The result is unexpected. "

From the meadow, were exhumed from machine gun bullets, 17.2 and 20 mm sizes, pieces of aluminum, Plexiglas, a propeller, a shoe leather. And an English coin of 1933. "Without doubt a favorite piece that belonged to the driver, Vincent Orrière deducted at the initiative of the project. For this piece was more courses in 1944. "

A pilot of 21 years

Flying the Lockheed P‑38 Lightning, Lt. Montgomery Coddington. Originally from Arizona, American joined the ranks of the Air Corps in February 1943. The day of his crash, according to research from WWA, he was a pilot for a month. He was only 21 years.

Based on U.S. military records, the association runs the thread of his last day. This morning of June 7, Montgomery Coddington, nicknamed "Monty", flew from England to "bomb the railway track between Laval and Flers and strafe enemy convoys " . His squadron was under attack by German fighters. Around 5:30PM, "Monty" cast off his bomb on a bridge. "He took the height when an explosion ignited the coolant that escaped from its left engine, reports WWA. Facts corroborated by a witness. "

The body of the young pilot was repatriated and buried in the United States, but the town of Saint-in-Prayers Fraimbault decided to honor his memory. "A monument will be erected, the mayor announced, Hubert Moll. We are keen to pay tribute. She stands in the side of our war memorial."

This granite stela (an ancient upright stone slab) bears the name of the pilot and summarize his tragic destiny. The inauguration is scheduled for June 8, 2011, in the presence of U.S. veterans, with perhaps the brother of Montgomery Coddington. The debris will be an exhibition.

Julien BELAUD
 

 
The Wreckage of an American Plane Partly Exhumed

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The twin-engine crashed in St. Fraimbault-of-Prayers in 1944. The town and the Association Mayenne WW2 pay tribute to the pilot by erecting a monument. It will be inaugurated in June.

A strong smell of kerosene in the air. A smell of 67-years ago. It emanates from the hole has been dug where the engine of a U.S. fighter jet, crashed in a field 7 June 1944 at St. Fraimbault-de Prières.

"The fishing was good, rejoices Gaétan Duguay, president of the Mayenne WW2, at the origin of these excavations. We have released an entire engine, which is rare! Blade propeller, radiator and various pieces of metal. Of course, we would have liked to find more."

On site, the roadside Lassay-les-Chateaux, a lady watches in silence. The shovel that returns the land search also in his memories. She was twelve years old when, in front of her, the P‑38 fell in flames on the prairie. She prefers not to talk. At his side, Olivier Goupil, a resident of Jublains. "My grandfather buried pilot's body in the little wood at night, he shows with the finger. He would not let him to the Germans."

The airman, Lieutenant Montgomery Coddington was 21. "He could not jump, he was too low, says Jean-Claude Clouet. Honorary member of the 474th Fighter Group, which included Coddington, was also present yesterday. "I have all the logbooks of the squadron. With these documents, and testimonies, the plane has been located precisely. I was looking it for ten years. "

Still owned US

The pilot's body was subsequently repatriated to the United States. The town of Saint-Fraimbault de Prayers will honor him on June 7. "We will build a monument, accompanied by a panel that recounted her last moments, announced Mayor Hubert Moll. The wreckage will be exposed to this opportunity."

In the meantime, they will be cleaned, cataloged, and most widely reported. "These archaeological excavations are considered and are subject to authorization by the Drac (Ed.: Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs), said Hubert Moll. We also have to give the inventory of parts found at the U.S. Embassy. The aircraft is still owned by the United States. "
The excavations have been allowed the time of one day. Not enough to meet the second motor or machine gun, probably deeply buried. They will continue to sleep under the grass, before returning, one day perhaps, the open air.

Julien BELAUD