447th Bomb Group - France 2005

On February 6, 2005, members of the 447th Bomb Group will remember fallen comrades in the village of Wissous, south of Paris.

On that date in 1944, the B-17 "Hi-Jinx" was hit by flak. The pilot and navigator were killed instantly. The co-pilot, Lt. Arthur Clark, remained at the controls of the crippled plane, allowing the rest of the crew to bail out. He then diverted the aircraft from hitting the small village of Wissous, but died when it crashed into an open field nearby. The bombardier was found dead on the ground, his parachute riddled with bullet holes.

The people of Wissous turned that open field into a public park, and erected a monument to Arthur Clark and the three other officers who lost their lives that day. Each February 6, veterans and family members join with our friends from Wissous to remember them.

This is not an organized tour. Individuals wishing to attend must make their own transportation arrangements and hotel reservations, but we are happy to provide assistance.

For more information, e-mail david@447bg.com
David Warren
447th Bomb Group Association
www.447bg.com