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A bit of History
THe CRASH oF THe LiBeRAToR HARRy on MonTAgne noiRe
Saint-Donat is known for its diverse array of recreational activities and the area boasts over 200 km of free trails. But did you know that it has a particularly unique feature? How many trails do you know of that serve double duty as open-air museums ?
The story begins on October 19, 1943, when a military plane, the Liberator Harry, took off for Montréal-Dorval from the Gander Airport in Newfoundland. Twenty soldiers and four crew members were on board. They were returning from a mission, the purpose of which is still unknown to this day.
Despite inclement weather, the bomber took off but eventually diverted towards Mont-Joli. The plane was not authorized to land, forcing the flight to continue on to Dorval or Rockcliffe Airport in Ontario. The following day, the Consolidated Liberator B-24D aircraft was missing and presumed crashed.
More than 700 missions (equaling 2,438 flight hours) were flown to try to find the bomber, to no avail. For two and a half years, the fate of the aircraft and its passengers remained a mystery. The Liberator was found by accident on Montagne Noire (Black Mountain) in Saint-Donat during a mission attempting to locate a different military plane.
Joseph Gaudet, René Labelle and Moïse Michauville were among the residents who were with Captain Harry Cobb when the wreckage and the victims’ bodies were discovered on June 19, 1946.
Circuit historique piétonnier • Walking circuit to discover local history
Pour en connaître davantage sur nos ancêtres • To learn more about our ancestors: saint-donat.ca/citoyens/Circuithistoriquepietonnier.cfm
Parents des victimes
Parents of the victims
Today, the site is maintained by Les Gardiens du Liberator (Guardians of the Liberator), who want to honour the memory of those who have died to defend democracy and our freedom. A cemetery was created with 24 crosses bearing the names of the soldiers who disappeared during this dramatic accident, considered the worst wartime tragedy on Canadian soil in Royal Canadian Air Force history. Pieces of the aircraft remain at the site and have been assembled near the cemetery.
Ceremonies will be held from September 28 to 30, 2018 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Liberator Harry’s crash. For more information, please visit www.liberator-harry-b24d.org.
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