AT6 Monument

The AT6 Monument is a granite sculpture on Big Mountain in the Kiamichi Mountains that honors Royal Air Force cadets who died during World War II training flights. The structure was initiated by students from the nearby town of Rattan and marks a tragic event that shaped the region's history.

Two AT-6 training aircraft crashed into the Kiamichi Mountains on February 20, 1943, during poor weather, causing multiple fatalities among Royal Air Force cadets. The monument was established later to preserve the memory of these losses and maintain the historical connection between the two nations.

The site carries meaning through the bond between British and American communities formed during wartime, visible in how local residents maintain this place and continue connections with English families. Visitors can sense this cross-Atlantic relationship through the care taken with the memorial and the stories shared by people in the area.

The site sits in a remote mountain area with limited facilities and amenities, requiring visitors to plan ahead. Come prepared for rural conditions and consider the distance from urban services when organizing your visit.

Local high school students discovered the crash history through classroom research and led the effort to build the memorial themselves. This student-driven project shows how young people can create enduring international remembrance.