This aerial view taken on May 30, 2022 shows a US memorial garden shaped as a military transport aircraft Douglas C-47A with 20 trees in Picauville, close to Sainte-Mere-Eglise, north-western France. – This garden honours the 20 American servicemen who died in this field on early June 6, 1944 during the D-Day allied invasion of Normandy that began the liberation of France during World War II.
A plaque in the garden reads: “Taking off from Upottery Airfield, England, during the night June 5, 1944, a 91s: Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group C-47 transport aircraft (serial number 42-100819), it aircrew, and passengers met a tragic end in the early hours of June 6. After being hit by the German anti aircraft fire, the aircraft crashed in flames at a place called « La Maison de Haut».” The sixteen 506’h paratroops and the four 91S TCS airmen were all killed in the crash. An engine of this aircraft, a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92, was discovered in this field, at the crash site, in 1986 by the Dennebouy family.
