Quentin Roosevelt Crash Site

RobertMundie · 26 September 2015, 06:13 PM

Just got back from a trip to France and I got to visit the site where Lt. Quentin Roosevelt was brought down in WWI. His memorial fountain is located about 1 Km West of the village of Coulonges-Cohan. Enjoy!

Froggy · 26 September 2015, 10:24 PM

http://www.aerosteles.net/stelefr-coulonges-roosevelt

http://www.aerosteles.net/stelefr-co...oosevelt-fonta

sator · 26 September 2015, 11:11 PM

Nice photo, thanks for posting.

nogalesace · 28 September 2015, 05:36 AM

I wish I'd found those markers when we were in France a couple of years ago. On the road to Chamery, I noticed what looked to be a "path" to the top of the hill between fields and figured it had to be the place. But once on top I couldn't find a thing despite wandering around for half and hour or so. Great photos!

ONEALM · 28 September 2015, 09:33 AM

Chris - IIRC STeve Ruffin had visited the site and recorded the GPS coordinates... I suspect it would be a cinch to find with that tidbit...

Visited the town of Saints in 2009 which bordered the field where QR and the 1st PG were based in July 1918. The field is the same as it was in 1918 - planted in wheat early in the year and harvested late summer... No new buildings so I'm sure it's the same as 100 years ago (or more).

In the town on the opposite of the field - it was bordered by Saints and Mauperthuis - little has changed. In Charlie Woolleys excellent "First to the Front", there's a couple of shots of the twon center in Mauperthuis. The home and cafe are still there - still the same...

Later in the book is a shot of the chateau called Malvoisine where the 95th was billeted while in Touquin IIRC... That home is the same and we were allowed inside by the generous owners. The photos in Charlies book of the 95th pilots lounging inside and in the back yard match the current layout as well. The owner was very interested to see the shots of his home from 1918. It was a unique experience to stand in those spots and listen for the voices from 100 years ago....

Finally, the town of Saints dedicated a plaque on 14 July 2009, in their local cemetary, to QR. It was a moving ceremony - on their Independance Day - and attended by the mayors of Saints and Mauperthuis, local Air Force base commander, the town historians many people from town and 4 Americans.... To hear both the US & French National anthems played to honor one of our own was a humbling experience.

r

ONEALM · 29 September 2015, 11:51 AM

Cemermony in the Saints cemetary on 14 July 2009 to commemorate QR's fall in combat.

The plaque to QR in the Saints cemetery dedicate that day:

Cafe in the town square in Mauperthuis. We had lunch here and I swear, if you listened carefully, you could hear the voices form 100 years past.

Home in Mauperthuis - check Charlie Wooley's First to the Front for another view with pilots of the 95th sitting in the town center with this home in the background.

Chateau Malvoisine - Again chuck Woolley for more views of this beautiful home from 1918.