7 August 1944 at 14H25 : a US aircraft crash at Mantes la ville

[gilles collaveri]

good morning,

I am asked to investigate about a US aircraft that crashed on 7 August 1944, at 14H25, on a plant producing plastic, in the city of "Mantes la ville": this is located 40 km North west of Paris, between Evreux and Paris.

and the pilot's name might be (to be confirmed) "Turner".

Sorry for the incomplete information but this is all I was given.

Any confirmation / information ?

thanks

GC

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Bonjour Gilles,

According to the book "1944 Guerre en Ile de France, vol III", it was a British aircraft that crashed at 1425 hrs on the factory "La Cellophane" at Mantes-la-Ville. It was a Mustang of 19 Sqn RAF flown by Flg Off D F Hart.

The 2nd TAF book confirm that the Mustang III FZ166 of 19 Sqn was lost around 1415 hrs. The cause of loss is listed as "blew up dive bombing barges on Seine."

The pilot, Flg Off Dennis Frederick Hart, is buried in Mantes-la-Ville communal cemetery:
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...IS%20FREDERICK

[Leendert]

No time to check further now, but 2nd Lt Robert E. Turner (O-538878) was reported KIA over France on 8-8-1944 (one day off). Unit was 485th FS, 370th FG with P-38.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Laurent,

Must be your Mustang...

Now found that Lt. Turner's P-38 (43-28350) came down W. of Alençon, so (far) from Mantes.

Regards,

Leendert

[gilles collaveri]

Merci and thanks to booth of you.

GC