July 23rd, 1944 an British Royal Air Force Stirling aircraft

Graffigny-Chemin was not a hot bed of activity during World War II. The heritage of the town was both French and German, but the sentiment was decidedly French.

On the night of July 23rd, 1944 an British Royal Air Force Short Stirling four-engine heavy bomber crashed into the hills outside the town. The villagers rescued and hid the injured airmen. They also removed armaments from the plane. The Germans reacted by taking hostages and threatening to raze the town. A story ensued.

Read more about this exciting story on Graffigny-Chemin Wikipedia. Image from Wikipedia.