The 1955 Le Mans 24 hour Race.

[Flying10uk]

As regular Forum Members will know, I've mentioned in my Posts, from time to time, the experiences that my father had of war living in the U.K. during WW2 as a child. Because he was born in 1934 it meant that he was 21 in 1955 and became of age. Because he was interested in cars and motor racing at the time it was decide by his parents to pay for him to go to Le Mans to watch the 24 hr race, as part of his birthday celebrations, together with a friend. With the war well behind them, and the unpleasant experiences that my father had suffered during the war, this trip was supposed to be a happy and pleasant experience for my father.

As is well known there was a serious crash in which a Mercedes had a collision on the track and then ended up crashing into the crowd as well as catching fire. I believe that this remains the worst ever motor racing accident to this day because it claimed the lives of more than 80 people and injured nearly 180. It remains controversial to this day, that the race was allowed to continue despite the awful carnage on the trackside.

My father and his friend, thankfully escaped without any injury but the memories of the race were permanently etched onto his memory. What isn't well known or mentioned is the fantastic job that the off duty American servicemen did on that sad day helping with the rescue effort and doing anything that they could to help with the aftermath of the crash.

I was wondering if there are any of our older American Forum members who were there on that fateful day, as young servicemen, and helped with the rescue effort? It would be interesting to hear from them if there is and about their memories. I would also like to publicly thank them for the help that they gave.

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