Photos from visitors to Billy Wisner's crash site and memorial in the Sarntal, Sud Tirol, Italy (north of Bolzano)
Photos from visitors to Billy Wisner's crash site and memorial in the Sarntal, Sud Tirol, Italy (north of Bolzano)
Photos from "Toes" Bartos' visit, July 2006 I counted 21 tunnels and four castles on the first 10 miles of road leading from Bolzano (Bolzen), Italy to the Sarn Tal (Sarn valley). The scenery on the drive was incredible, and the valley where Billy Wisner's memorial is located looks like a scene from "The Sound of Music." The Wisner Memorial is located just above the wonderful Hotel Feldrand. Konrad Rungger is owner of the elegant (and inexpensive) family-run bed & breakfast, and was eye-witness to the crash, which was seared into his memory at the age of five, in September 1944. Konrad appeared to be part mountain goat and part homing pidgeon as he guided me to crash site on the rugged mountain side. |
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Konrad Rungger explains the story of meeting Wisner's niece, Diana Dale. |
Konrad Rungger, eye-witness to the crash at the age of five, recounts events to visitors at the creekside Wisner Memorial. |
Konrad and "Toes" pose at the Wisner memorial, located just above the Hotel Feldrand. Konrad has added a bench next to the site with a view of the church down the valley. |
71FS "Ironman" Blood Chit used by F-15 pilots on combat missions in the Middle East (modelled after WW2 blood chits) |
Konrad reflects on the crash site where Billy Wisner's body was buried by his uncle in 1944. He erected this marker and regularly visits. The crash site is several hundred meters up the creek from the Memorial. |
A 71st FS "Ironman" coin now adorns the Wisner Memorial. The other side reads, "Once an Ironman, always an Ironman." |
Photos from David Comar visit (from Vancouver BC) , May 2006 "In February, I was in Kansas, and bought [the] book [Finding Billy, written by Billy Wisner's niece, Diana Dale ] at the air museum in Liberal. I was so fascinated by the story, that I altered my plans to include Billy's crash site. I stayed at the Feldrand. Konrad took me up there, and I also went up alone another day. [The William Wisner] plaque is in good condition, as is the memorial at the crash, except the text next to Billy's photo has faded away. Here are some photos: one of me, the memorial from various angles, parts of the plane. I took the liberty of using my sunglasses and flying jacket as props. Billy would have worn these glasses when flying. The jacket is a copy of the A-2 worn by Billy in the photo of him with another Texas pilot, in [the] book. I love the Sarntal valley, and have you [Diana Dale] to thank for it." |
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David Comar at the Wisner crash site. |
Konrad Rungger at the crash site. He remembers exactly where the site was even though he was only five years old at the time of the crash. He has a very interesting story to share as to why he remembered so well! |
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P-38 part found at the crash site. The major portions of the aircraft were removed by the local farmers shortly after the crash. |
A shard of glass, likely from a P-38 canopy, found at the site by David Comar during his visit. |
"Billy would have worn these glasses when flying." |
