A memorial service was held in Litice to honor the American airmen who died during their final mission over Europe

A memorial service was held in Plzeň-Litice to honor the six American airmen who gave their lives at the very end of World War II. The crew, led by First Lieutenant Allan Ferguson, met their fate during a raid on the Škoda Works in Pilsen, which at the time was a strategic target as a major arms factory supplying the German Wehrmacht. The bomber was shot down in the immediate vicinity of Litice during the historically last combat mission dispatched by the 8th Air Force of the USAAF over European territory.

To mark this anniversary, a commemorative gathering was held on April 23, 2026, attended by public figures and representatives of veterans’ organizations. The city of Pllsen was represented by Councilor Jiří Šrámek, and Mayor Michal Hausner attended on behalf of the Plzeň-Litice municipal district. Representatives of the Czechoslovak Legionnaires’ Community and the Association of War Veterans of the Czech Republic, accompanied by other guests of honor, also paid tribute to the fallen heroes.