letecká historie: A new monument to American airmen was unveiled in Bystrovany on 25.4.2017

On Monday, April 24, 2017, a new restored memorial was unveiled at the site of the crash of the American Boeing B-17G 42-32097 "Slipstream" bomber that crashed here on December 18, 1944. More about this well known event: 1.part HERE a 2.part HERE

The story of the man and the cross

The year was 2003 and on May 8th of that year the first monument to American airmen was unveiled. The idea for its erection was conceived by Mr. František Čermák from Olomouc, a former soldier and member of the veteran military association. This gentleman, who is now 93 years old, wanted a monument commemorating this war event to be erected at the site of where died 7 American airmen. He not only put a huge amount of time and energy into the whole idea himself, but also a handmade wooden cross which he wanted to erect on the site as a memorial. Throughout his tireless efforts, he involved many people, community leaders, aviation researchers, city officials and other volunteers who contributed to making his endeavor a reality. Thanks to all this, the cross was unveiled in its full glory on May 8, 2004, on the municipal grounds of the village of Bystrovany on the bank of the Bystřice River. At the site of the imaginary opicentre of the plane crash and the place where the bodies of the dead crew members landed. The site was landscaped, benches were built, a plaque with a description of the event was erected and soon it became a resting place for numerous bikers who cycled through the cycling path that passes through the site. However, as the years passed, the plaque and the cross became the target of vandals several times and the ravages of time began to take their toll. Already it seemed that with the passage of time the monument would disappear again without replacement.

‹Renewed text on the cross briefly describing the event of 18.12.1944

Nový kříž

However, a situation where time played against the wood of the cross was reunited by a group of people who decided that the site needed to be restored and the event revived. Also, the relatives of Fr. Čermák, the original author of the cross, joined together and made a new cross with their own hands, even a little taller and stronger. The cross was supposed to be unveiled on May 8, 2017, but since it was the great wish of the organizers that a representative of the United States should also be present, the unveiling was a few days earlier. Col. Mark A. Wootan and his wife, representatives of the Czech Army, the Olomouc Military Hospital and also a visit by Col. Eduard Stehlik from the Military History Institute.

‹ local people and visitors watching the unveiling of the monument at Bystrovany

After a talk with the Military affiliate Col. Mark Wootan at the local school and after watching a documentary about the crash of the bomber, the unveiling of the memorial took place at 11:00 in the presence of all the guests.