Sainte-Mère-Église in Manche, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Un planeur Waco CG-4A s’est écrasé
⎯⎯⎯
A Waco CG-4A glider crashed
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
1. Un planeur Waco CG-4A s’est écrasé / A Waco CG-4A glider crashed Marker
Lors des opérations aéroportées, un planeur de type WACO CG-4A s'écrase sur le transformateur électrique de Sainte-Mère-Eglise, situé à la fin de la rue des Écoles (à 200m d'ici). Cette photo fut prise par un des occupants, Leonard Lebenson de la 82ᵉ Airborne. Le planeur WACO était destiné au transport des troupes et du matériel. Embarquent alors 15 personnes 13 soldats glider, 1 pilote et 1 copilote (aucun parachutiste mais soldat d'infanterie, medic, chirurgien...) et lorsque le matériel était transporté (jeep, canon, bulldozer...), 4 à 6 hommes maximum sont présents.
Les avantages du planeur: sa discrétion qui permet un effet de surprise et d'acheminer des renforts en hommes et en matériel, notamment, les premiers véhicules.
L'équipe des sapeurs-pompiers de Sainte-Mère-Eglise, après-guerre. Certains de ces pompiers ont participé à l'intervention contre l'incendie dans la nuit du 5 au 6 juin 1944.
A WACO glider CG-4A crashed into a transformer station, rue des Ecoles (200m from here). This photo was taken by the soldier Leonard Lebenson, 82nd Airborne.
The WACO glider was used to carry troops and equipment. On board: 15 people: 13 glider soldiers, 1 pilot and 1 copilot (no paratrooper but infantrymen, medic, surgeon...) and when equipment is carried (jeep, cannon, bulldozer...), 4 to 6 men maximum can board. Advantages of gliders: its silence that permitted a surprising effect and it brought reinforcement in men and equipment like vehicles.
Sainte Mère Eglise Firefighters, after the war. Some of these firefighters took part of the intervention in the night of the 5th to the 6th of June 1944.
Reverse Side
John Steele est resté suspendu à l'angle du clocher qui se trouve face à la pharmacie. Le mannequin parachutiste commémoratif se trouve côté parvis de l'église pour être visible de tous.
La pharmacie actuelle était la mairie jusqu'en 1912. On la reconnait grâce à son fronton triangulaire. A cette date, un nouvel hôtel de ville est construit, rue du Cap de Laine, à l'époque constitué de trois institutions: la Mairie, les PTT (la Poste) et la Justice de Paix (Tribunal).
Légendes
(Photo #1) Des soldats américains sécurisent les maisons bordant la place.
John Steele hung by his parachute on the corner of the steeple facing the chemist's. The commemorative dummy paratrooper was placed on the side of the esplanade of the church in order to be seen by all.
The chemist used to be the townhall until 1912. Its triangular front makes it recognizable. At this date, a new townhall is built, rue Cap de Laine, with three parts: Townhall in the center, post office and court on either side.
Captions
(Photo #1) American soldiers checked houses around the square to secure the area.
Erected by Sainte
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1944.
Location. 49° 24.513′ N, 1° 19.048′ W. Marker is in Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandie (Normandy), in Manche. It is at the intersection of Rue Général Koenig and Voie de la Liberté, on the right when traveling east on Rue Général Koenig. The marker is located at the corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Rue Général Koenig, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandie 50480, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 82nd and 101st Airborne on D-Day (a few steps from this marker); Film « Jour le plus Long » / Film "The Longest Day" (a
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
2. A Waco CG-4A glider crashed Marker - Reverse Side
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
3. The view of the marker along the corner of the intersection
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
4. The view of the church with the paratrooper dummy on the steeple
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 14, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
