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U.S. Nato ambassador became the Godmother of a French Village

Discussion in 'Post War 1945-1955' started by Skipper, Apr 25, 2014.

  1. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    This is a moving story. On May 8th 1944 a RAF lancaster ND741 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron KM-K
    crashed right on the little village of HERBILLY, destroying almost all of it and killing 13 (including 6 of the RAF crew)

    Squadron Leader. Colin Hunter - Pilot. Killed in Action Aged 30
    Sergeant. Fred Cooper - Flight Engineer POW Aged 24
    Flying Officer. George Willis (Canadian) - Bomb Aimer. Killed in Action Aged 31
    Flying Officer. Alfred Greenwood - Navigator. Killed in Action Aged 29
    Pilot Officer. Fred 'Sammy' Salmon - Wireless Operator. Killed in Action Aged 23
    Pilot Officer. Richard Alexander - Mid Upper Gunner. Killed in Action Aged 25
    Pilot Officer. George Miles - Rear Gunner. Killed in Action Aged 32
    + seven villagers killed.

    After the war An American Lady, Margareth Hugues, heard about the ordeal of the village, the homeless, the widows, the orphans etc.. and started donating furniture, plates and linnen for them whenever she could.
    She became Nato Ambassador from 1953 to 1955.

    The grateful villagers have named their main street "rue Margareth Hugues" and a plaque on the church reminds how generous this lady was.

    http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbilly
     
  2. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Moving story, Skip. Thanks for posting.
     
  3. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    There is always someone in the village who will play the smart guy by saying "the May 8th 1944 date is wrong, it should be 1945".....until they find out what happened On May 8th 1944.
     

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