24 September 2016

Ceremony to relocate the memorial in memory of the crews

of the 322^nd Bomb Group, 9^th Air Force

Tillé (Oise)

                                                                                                                                Copyright © 2016 - Association des Sauveteurs d'Aviateurs Alliés- All rights reserved -
                                                                                                                    En français 

     Originally inaugurated in May 1996 near the control tower of Beauvais Airport, the memorial honoring the American airmen of the 322^nd Bomb Group of the 9^th Air Force had become very isolated and virtually invisible to the public due to the airport expansion. In agreement with the municipality, the initiative was taken to relocate it to the center of the village of Tillé, between the town hall and the church. This new location near the airport, much more visible and accessible, will better commemorate the presence of the 322^nd Bomb Group on this base during World War II.

     At the end of September 1944, the twin-engine B-26 Marauder bombers of the 322^nd Bomb Group, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Henry C. Newcomer, and all of its personnel arriving from England, moved into the Beauvais-Tillé airfield. Ironically, this base was a location they had repeatedly bombed while occupied by the Luftwaffe. They would remain there until April 1945.

     This new inauguration took place on 24 September. Under the radiant early autumn sun, a large crowd gathered.

     In the absence of the village mayor, who was detained for personal reasons, his deputy, Mr. Alain Barthélémy, officiated at this ceremony. The history of the 322^nd Bomb Group at the Beauvais-Tillé airfield was discussed at length.

Mr. Alain Barthélémy

     The memorial was then unveiled by Mrs. Patricia Newcomer, daughter of the Lieutenant-colonel who commanded the base, and Mrs. Geneviève Le Berre who convoyed the airmen with the Burgundy escape network.

     Mr. Michel Mercier, Honorary President of the Beauvais-Warluis Aviation Museum, explained the decision to relocate the stele to the village center before handing over to Mrs. Patricia Newcomer.

Mr. Michel Mercier

Mrs. Patricia Newcomer

     Deeply moved to participate in this day of remembrance, she declared, “…My father, who just celebrated his 100^th birthday last June, is deeply touched to know that this memorial has found a new home. Remembering his airmen is always very moving for him. Many of them never returned from missions, and we must honor the memory of those who are no longer here…” Then she added, “It was on this base that he met my mother. They married in June 1946…”

     After speeches from various elected officials from the Department and the Region, a minute of silence was observed, followed by the national anthems of the United States and France. Wreaths of flowers were then laid at the foot of the memorial.

     All those present were invited to visit the Beauvais-Tillé Flying Club, where a reception was held. In the gigantic hangars that usually house the aircraft, an exhibition was presented until the next day by the various associations involved in organizing this event: the Beauvais-Tillé Flying Club, the Beauvaisis Flying Club, the Beauvais-Warluis Aviation Museum, the Beauvaisis model makers, the "N'oublie pas 44" Association with its many vintage vehicles, and the ASAA-Oise.

     The very favorable weather offered the opportunity for first flights for those who wished. No doubt some thought of the American airmen who were stationed at this base. 72 years earlier, they took off from these same runways toward much less peaceful skies.