Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part eleven. Italian Spitfire users.

 

In 1942 the Italians managed to capture a single Spitfire Mk. V, which was transferred in September of that same year to the experimental centre in Guidonia (Regia Aeronautica's -Italian Air Force- experimental test centre), close to Rome. However,  as we couldn't find any graphical evidence of this captured Spitfire, we decided not to draw it.
After Italy switched sides and joined Allies, the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force (the name given to the pro-Allied Italian Air Force) was equipped with the Spitfire Mk. V, more exactly the 51º Stormo Caccia Terrestre (51st Land Fighter Wing).
This unit, composed of three Gruppi (squadrons) flew the Spitfire Mk. V together with the Macchi C.205 from 1944 until the end of the war.

After the war, around 150 Spitfire Mk. IX were bought from the British and were used by the 51º and 5º Stormos plus the Scuola di Vuolo (Flight School). 
In December 1947 Italian Spitfires were assigned registration numbers ranging from MM. 4000 to MM.4285 (the letters 'MM' stands for 'Matricola Militare' - Military Number Plate-). This numbering did not include those aircraft that had previously been written off due to accidents. Additionally, two registrations, (which by a strange coincidence were MM. 4040 and MM.4140) were assigned to non-existing aircraft by mistake.

In 1949 the Italian took over two ex-Turkish Spitfire Mk. IX under unclear circunstances. 
Both Stormos ceased to employ the Spitfire in 1950. They were later used until mid-1952 in flight schools. After 1952 most Spitfires were scrapped, while some were employed for fire-fighting training and thirty units, which were in the best technical conditions, were sold to Israel. 

Sources:
1st AJ Press - Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire part 3 (translated)
2nd https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/51º_Stormo (translated)
3rd https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/5º_Stormo (translated)
4th https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Supermarine_Spitfire_operators#Italy

Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part ten. Irish & Swedish Spitfires plus Estonian what-ifs.

 

The following countries employed or would have acquired the Supermarine Spitfire:

• Estonia: The first export contract for the Spitfire was signed in February 1939 with Estonia, to supply the Estonian Aviation Regiment with 12 Spitfire Mk. I. Those aircraft were not ready until August and, given the shortage of fighters the Royal Air Force (RAF) was suffering at the time, those 12 Spitfires were never delivered. We, however, have drawn some what-if Spitfire Mk. I in Estonian colours.
• Ireland: In 1947 the Irish Government acquired 12 Seafire Mk. III and three years later, in 1950 six Spitfire T.IX  two-seater trainers to equip their No. 1 Fighter Squadron and the Central Flying School respectively. At Air Corps' request, the Seafires were de-navalized, with their arrestor hooks removed, but they retained the engines and four-blade propellers. The Irish Seafires served from February 1947 until 1954 while the T.IX trainers of Central Flying School served from May 1950 until September 1961!.
• Sweden: In 1948 Sweden ordered 60 refurbished ex-RAF Spitfire PR.19 (an advanced recon variant). Eventually that order was reduced to 50 machines.
  However, the total amount of that order is somewhat mysterious. During those years other neighbouring Scandinavian countries such as Denmark had three Spitfire PR. XI and Norway another three PR. XI (the PR. XI was another reconnaissance sub-variant). For strategic reconnaissance over the coast of south China the RAF maintained a flight of three Spitfire PR. 19 in Hong Kong during the post-war years and early 1950s, so that made a total of approximately 100 recon Spitfires of both PR. XI and PR. 19 and half of that number belonged to Swedish PR. 19s. 
  Deliveries began in October 1948 and lasted until May 1949. They were designated as S.31, from Swedish word 'Spaning', meaning 'Reconnaissance' and were given five-digit registration numbers, where the first two digits were '31' (the aircraft type code) and the following three digits were the individual seria number of each aircraft ranging from 001 to 050.
  The Spitfires were assigned to Flottilj 11 at Nyköping, composed of a headquarters squadron plus four additional ones, listed as 1, 2, 3 and 5 squadrons. In early 1950 plans were made for reconnaissance flights over Soviet bases in Murmansk and Polyarny on the Kola Peninsula, so some S. 31 were rebased to Lulea, closer to the Arctic Circle, however, those plans were called off as the risks were too high, resulting in a very tense diplomatic situation. However, at least two recon flights were made over the Soviet Baltic Coast in September 1950.
  The PR. 19s remained in service until 1954, when they were put into reserve and in August 1955 they were withdrawn and written off. One aircraft was donated to the Stockholm University of Technology, where it disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
  In 1981 a PR. 19 was bought for the Swedish Aviation Museum. The Spitfire, PR. 19, which served with India after the war, did not receive markings of one of the scrapped aircraft, but got a new serial - 31051 - and is nowadays at exhibition at the aforementioned museum.
  

Sources:

1st AJ Press - Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire part 3.

2nd https://www.key.aero/article/swedens-spitfires-cold-war

3rd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Supermarine_Spitfire_operators

Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part nine. Dutch Spitfires.

 

The Supermarine Spitfire was also employed by the Dutch. The first Dutch unit to be equipped with the Spitfire was the No. 322 (Dutch) Squadron. This unit was formed in June 1943 from Dutch staff from other Royal Air Force's units, specially No. 167 Squadron which was notorious for having many Dutch personnel. 
Since its inception, the squadron was active operating from RAF Woodvale, in Liverpool and patrolled over the Irish Sea in the defensive fighter role. In December 1943 it was sent to RAF Hawkinge, in Kent, to provide aerial coverage for sea convoys. 
Two months later, they were sent to Scotland to undergo some training and then, in April 1944 they were sent to Acklington to take part in Operation Overlord and its preparations. In June 1944 the unit was allocated to anti V-1 (German flying bomb) defence and, in August they were assigned to the ground support and bomber escort roles. Since January 1945 the unit operated from Dutch air bases, until April 1945 when they were rebased to Varrelbusch. 
On 7th October 1945 the unit was disbanded at Wunstorf, Germany, but a new 322 squadron was created by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF) after the war.

During 1946-1948 the Netherlands bout a total of 55 Spitfire Mk.IX and three Spitfire T.IX. The Mk. IXs were given tactical numbers preceded by the letter 'H'. Of those, 35 fighter (H-1 to H-35, plus three T. IXs (H-97 to H-99) were assigned to training units in the Netherlands. 
The remaining Mk. IXs, were shipped to Java where they took part in combats against the Indonesian rebels.
Oddly enough, during a packaging error in England one Spitfire received a complete tail section from a Seafire and on another curious note, the first Spitfire assembled in the Dutch East Indies, MH434, is still flying nowadays in the colours of The Old Flying Machine Company.
The personnel of 322 Squadron arrived in Java in October 1947. During the Indonesian War of Independence, the Spitfires were used to attack ground targets and to supply Dutch ground troops from the air. After Indonesia achieved independence, the whole Dutch East Indies Air Force went under the rule of the newly founded Indonesian Air Force, except for 322 Squadron which was never formally assigned to the Dutch East Indies Air Force and it remained part of the Lucht Strijdkrachten (Netherlands' Air Force), so in December they flew back to the Netherlands with all their equipment. 
On Dutch soil the 322 squadron continued to employ the Spitfires, transferred from the fighter school (Jachtvliegschool), as that unit had switched to jet trainers. In 1952 fifteen Spitfire Mk. IX were sold to Belgium.
Additionally, back 1946 and 1947 a dozen or so of unserviceable Spitfires of various marks (Mk V, IX, XI, XIV, XVI, XIX and 22) were purchased or leased for technical personnel training.

Sources:
1st AJ-Press - Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire Part 3 (translated)
2nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._322_(Dutch)_Squadron_RAF
3rd http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/322_wwII.html
4th https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Supermarine_Spitfire_operators#Netherlands

Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part eight. Greek Spitfires.

 

During World War 2, two Hellenic squadrons serving under Royal Air Force's (RAF) command were formed. These were Nos. 335 and 336 Squadrons plus one famous ace, Ioannis Agorastos 'John' Plagis (or Plagis) who was born in southern Rhodesia to Greek parents, achieved ace status flying the Spitfire with No. 185 and No. 126 (Persian Gulf) Squadrons. Flying the Spitfire he took part in the aerial Battle of Malta, Operation Overlord and the subsequent campaigns up to Operation Market Garden when he was shot down but with lights wounds only. After that, he and his squadron transitioned to the North American Mustang Mk. III (the RAF equivalent to the P-51B/C).

The Greek squadrons, were, as stated above, Nos. 335 and 366:

• No. 335 (Greek) Squadron RAF: This veteran unit of the North African Campaign, began to transition from the Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIc to the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. V in December 1943. Operating from Libya, they were assigned to shipping protection off the Libyan coast as the Allies advanced through Italy. In September 1944 they were rebased to Italy, after the squadron was fully converted and trained to the usage of the Spitfire.
  Operating from Savoia, Nuova and Biferno airfields, the squadron flew offensive sweeps over Albania and Yugoslavia. 
  In November 1944 the squadron was rebased to Hassani Air Base, in Greek soil, as the Germans retreated. From there they flew fighter sweeps over Crete and the remaining German positions in the Aegean Sea. 
• No. 336 (Greek) Squadron: This unit received its first Spitfire Mk. Vc in October 1943. They had transitioned from the Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIc and, in November 1943 they took part in various aerial raids against Crete, which turned to be very dangerous due to the German anti-air defences and the presence of the Luftwaffe. By March 1944 they were fully converted to the Spitfire and in early September they were moved to Italy, where, operating from Nuova and Grottaglie, carried out raids over Yugoslavia. 
  In November 1944, together with No. 335 Squadron, they were rebased to Hassani Air Base, where they carried out operations against Crete and the German garrisons in the Aegean Sea until the end of the war.

After World War 2, on 25th April 1946 both Greek squadrons were officially transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force and renamed to Mira 335 and Mira 336 ('Mira' means 'Squadron' in Greek). 

They were based at the Air Bases of Sedes (Thessaloniki - Mira 335) and Araxos (Peloponnese - Mira 336). During 1947 and 1948 the Greek Government bought a total of 109 Spitfire Mk. IX from RAF's stocks. During the Greek Civil War they were widely employed against communist guerrillas. 

Mira 335 operated the Spitfire Mk. V from April to December 1946 and then both the Spitfire Mk. IX and XVI from December 1946 to October 1953.

Mira 336 operated the Mk. V also from April to December 1946 and then the Mk. IX from December 1946 to August 1949, when they were replaced with the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver shortly after this conversion the Greek Civil War ended with victory of the governmental forces, after Yugoslavia ceased to support Greek Communist Partisans.

Two more units were formed by the Royal Hellenic Air Force. One squadron - Mira 337, which operated a mixture of Mk. IX and Mk. XVI from March 1947 to June 1952. This unit operated from Elefsis, in Athens. 
The other unit was the Scholi Aeroporias (Flying School) which operated the Spitfire Mk. XVI as advanced trainers from 1948 until September 1953.

It is stated that a single Spitfire PR.XI was also delivered to Greece in May 1947, together with three PR.XIII, but they were in reality the Vicker Wellington GR.XIII.

Sources:

1st AJ-Press - Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire Part 3 (translated)

2nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Plagis

3rd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/335th_Squadron_(HAF)

4th https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/336th_Bomber_Squadron

5th http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/335_wwII.html

6th http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/336_wwII.html

7th https://www.haf.gr/en/history/historical-aircraft/

8th https://www.f-16.net/units_article318.html

9th https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/337th_Squadron_(HAF)

Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part seven. Spitfires captured by Germany.

 

Germany's Luftwaffe also employed the Supermarine Spitfire, albeit in small numbers as they had just some captured aircraft. 
One of those captured machines was Spitfire Mk. I N3277 which was piloted by P/O Richard Hardy of No. 234 Squadron. 
On one of the hardest days of the Battle of Britain, 15th August 1940, Hardy had to force-land on Cherbourg, France after being attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf.109 E fighters from III/JG. 53, apparently piloted by Oblt. Georg Claus over the English channel. The Germans reported some damaged gear inside the cockpit. This could be the result of Hardy destroying some secret equipment before being captured or just flak damage caused by a 20 mm anti-air gun. 
Ultimate fate of N3277 is unknown. Some claim it became the famous 'Messerspit', however, that's unlikely as the 'Messerspit' was a Spitfire Mk. V. It is possible, however, that the machine was repainted in Luftwaffe colours for exhibition purposes and it is also possible that is one of the Spitfires that appears in the 'Kampfgeschwader Lützow' propaganda movie. 

As it is obvious, Germany never acquired the Spitfire through purchase but, during World War 2 German forces managed to capture a large number of Spitfires by either occupying Allied airfields or shooting them down over German-controlled territory forcing them to crash land and remain in usable state.

The largest capture of Spitfires by the Germans took place in October 1943 when the Germans retook the Greek islands of Kos, Leros and Samos, in the Aegean Sea. On the island of Kos, the Antimachia airfield was captured, used by No. 74 Squadron RAF and No. 7 SAAF, with approximately a dozen Spitfires. Of those, at least six fighters were in flying condition.

Spitfires are known to have been flown with the following Luftwaffe units:

• Deustche Luft-und Versuchanstalt (DLV) in Oberpfaffenhofen, Bavaria, which was a state research and flight testing facility.
• Erprobungstelle Rechlin: The Luftwaffe testing facility where prototypes and such were tested.
• 2. Staffel Versuchsverband Oberbefehleshaber der Luftwaffe, AKA Zirkus Rosarius, a unit whose purpose was to perform demonstrations of captured Allied aircraft to Luftwaffe personnel.
• Jagdfliegerschule 6 and Jagdleherer Überprüfungstaffel, which were Luftwaffe training units.

However, the most interesting usage of the Spitfire in Germany took place at the Daimler-Benz' experimental plant in Stuttgart, more precisely at the attached Echterdingen airfield. In 1943 a captured Spitfire, registered as EN830, was modified there by fitting a Daimler Benz 605a engine, taken from a Messerschmitt Bf.110G but with a lateral air intake from another Messerschmitt Bf. 109. The armament was removed and German equipment was installed, with the electronical gear being also replaced by a 24V system, which was the standard for the Luftwaffe.

The fighter was repainted in German colours and received the registration of CJ+ZY. Test pilot Flugkapitan Willy Ellenreider conducted some testing flights, which showed very promising results. The modified Spitfire was way superior to the Soviet Yak fighters and even to the Messerschmitt Bf. 109G which was powered by the same engine. 

During 1944 the Messerspit served an engine testbed at Echterdingen until August 1944 when it was destroyed by an American air raid.

Sources:

1st AJ-Press - Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire Part 3 (translated)

2nd https://captured-wings.fandom.com/wiki/N3277

3rd https://aircrewremembered.com/hardy-richard.html

4th https://www.nevingtonwarmuseum.com/germany-messerspit.html

Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part six. The Spitfire in French hands, part two.

 

More Free French Spitfire units:

• Groupe de Chasse II/7 "Nice"/No.326 Squadron: This squadron switched sides from Vichy France to the Allies during the Tunisian Campaign , where it received the Spitfire Mk. V in March 1943, and took part in the liberation of Corsica, where it was officially formed into a Royal Air Force's squadron, as No.326 Squadron in the village of Calvi on 1st December 1943. The squadron followed the Allied through Southern France & Germany as part of the Free French Forces until the end of the war in Europe and it was transferred to the French Air Force in November 1945. 
  It operated the Spitfire Mk. V until April 1944, when the Mk. V was replaced by the Mk. IX, though some few Mk. V were kept until October 1944. 
• Groupe de Chasse I/3 "Corse/No.327 Squadron: This squadron was reformed at Oran La Senia air base, as it switched sides. In May 1943 they received the Spitfire Mk. V through the liberation of Corsica. On 1st December, together with G.C. II/7 (No.326 Sqn.) and G.C I/7 "Provence" (No.328 Sqn) they formed a wing, which took part in the Allied invasion of Southern France and its subsequent advance into Germany.
  They operated the Spitfire Mk. V together with the Mk. IX  and the Mk. IXe until the end of the war, with the exception of the Mk. V which were discarded in September 1944. 
  In June 1944 they also operated the Mk. VIII which kept them until May 1945, as the unit reverted back to the Mk. IX. On 1st November 1945 it was fully transferred to the Armée de l'Air.
• Groupe de Chasse I/7 "Provence"/No.328 Squadron: This squadron was reformed in Algeria and received the Spitfire Mk. V in September 1943. On 1st December it was taken into RAF's command and was also known as No.328 Squadron, which together with the other Nos. 326 and 327, formed a Free French Fighter wing operating from Corsica. They covered the Allied invasion of Southern France and its subsequent advance into Alsace/Lorraine and Germany supporting French First Army. They were transferred to the Armée de l'Air together with many other units in November 1945.
  They operated the Spitfire Mk. V from September 1943 until September 1944 and both the Mk. IX and Mk. VIII from July and August 1944 respectively, until August 1945.
• Groupe de Chasse II/18 "Saintonge": This squadron, was initially equipped with the  good but obsolete Dewoitine D.520. They were reformed at Toulouse and received the Spitfire Mk. V in March 1945. They were kept as a rear-guard unit. They were however, employed as a ground support unit in the Operation Indépendance, the Allied invasion of the Royan Pocket, from 14th to 19th April 1945.
• Groupe de Reconnaissance II/33 "Savoie": This unit operated the Spitfire Mk. V from March 1944 and saw action, as a fighter-recon unit, during the Allied invasion of Southern Italian peninsula, Liberation of Corsica and the Allied advance into Southern France. They were not sent into Germany and, instead served as a rear-guard unit in Dijon, Lyon and Luxeuil. In January 1945 the Spitfire Mk. Vs were replaced with the American Lockheed F-5 Lightning, the reconnaissance variant of the P-38.

As you could've deducted, dear reader, as the end of the war was approaching, French units began to abandon RAF's structure as many new units were created directly under the command of the Free French Air Force, such as Groupe de Reconnaissance II/33 or Groupe de Chasse II/18. 
After the war, and as part of the Anglo-French agreement of November 1945, every French RAF squadron officially adopted only French names and were transferred to the new re-built Armée de l'Air (French Air Force). During this re-organization, G.C. II/2 "Berry" was merged with G.C. I/2 "Cicognes", G.C. II/18 into G.C. III/2 and G.C. IV/2 Île de France was disbanded.
After the war, France acquire officially 242 Spitfire Mk. IX and 65 Mk V. However, it is known that, thanks to the Anglo-French treaty, more than 400 Spitfires of every mark were in the ranks of the post-war Armée de l'Air. This difference in numbers comes from repaired aircraft left at airfields in both North Africa and mainland France.
In Autumn 1945 48 French Spitfire Mk IXs were sent to Indochina, which, at the time, was under temporal British control. Until the delivery was completed, the British had loaned the local French authorities 12 Spitfire Mk. VIII.
French Indochina kept its French colonial administration under Japanese control until March 1945, when the Japanese set up a coup d'etat in order to maintain a direct control on the region. Only when the colonial French government pledged allegiance to the Government of Gen. de Gaulle, the Japanese proclaimed an independent puppet-state in Indochina under the formal denomination of "Empire of Vietnam". Following the decisions taken at the Potsdam Conference, the capitulation of Japanese forces south of 16th parallel in Indochina was undertaken by British troops and by Chinese troops, north of 16th parallel.

In this political situation the Chinese showed themselves as supporters of the Viet Minh, a left-wing Vietnamese pro-independence organization, and on the day of Japanese capitulation, September 2nd 1945, China recognized the "Democratic Republic of Vietnam" with Ho Chi Minh (ruler of the Viet Minh) as independent from France. This went against the international agreements which granted France full control over Indochina so, in September 1945 the British handed over the administration of their territories to the French. This sparkled resistance from the local population, specially in the north, inspired by both Chiang Kai Shek and Mao Tse Dong. In December 1945 the French took important strategic positions in the Saigon area and began operations (code named "Giaur") to release garrisons in the interior, which were besieged by the insurgent Viet Minh troops.

It was during this period of time that, under the command of Colonel Pierre Fay, a French Air Force in Indochina was established called "Groupement de Marche du Extreme Orient". It operated between November 1945 and January 1951 and was composed by various Escade de Chasse, comprised by two squadrons which rotated.

These were:

• 1ére Escadre de Chasse (November 1945 - August 1946)
• G.C. I/7 "Provence"
• G.C. II/7 "Nice"
• 2éme Escadre de Chasse (August 1946 - September 1947)
• G.C. I/2 "Cicognes"
• G.C. III/2 "Alsace"
• 4eme Escadre de Chasse (September 1947 - November 1948)
• G.C. I/4 "Dauphine"
• G.C. II/4 "La Fayette"
• 3eme Escadre de Chasse (November 1948 - April 1950)
• G.C. I/3 "Navarre"
• G.C. II/3 "Champagne"
• 6eme Escadre de Chasse (April 1950 - January 1951)
• G.C. I/6 "Corse"

In April 1950 3eme Escadre de Chasse was relieved by only one squadron flying Spitfires, which was the result of equipment replacement. Note that those rotations only affected ground staff and the planes remained the same and after almost five year of continuous service in tropical conditions, it was time to replace the Spitfire Mk. IXs with something more modern. The Spitfire in Indochina was exclusively used as a ground support aircraft. 

During the post-war, in French mainland and French North Africa, both Spitfires Mk. V and Mk. IXs were employed to train fighter pilots of both the Armée de l'Air and the Aéronavale (French Naval Aviation).
Apart from the Spitfires, France also acquired 141 Seafire Mk. III between 1946 and 1948 and 15 Seafire Mk. XV in mid 1949. They were employed until 1950 in two naval aviation units which were initially going to be equipped with the SNCAC NC.900 which was the French post-war copy of the German Focke-Wulf Fw.190. 
During the post-war French Seafires were only employed for combat duties once: during the winter of 1948 to 1949, a single squadron of Seafire Mk. IIIs of the 1ere Flotille (1st Flotilla) on board of Arromanches carrier first and Bien Hoa Air Base later, took part in hostilities off the coast of Indochina.
It is worth pointing that both Spitfires and Seafires kept their RAF registration numbers while serving with France.

Sources:

1st https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Supermarine_Spitfire_operators#France

2nd AJ-Press - Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire Part 3 (translated)

3rd http://www.cieldegloire.fr/gc_2_07.php (translated)

4th http://www.cieldegloire.fr/gc_1_07.php#provence (translated)

5th http://www.cieldegloire.fr/gc_1_03.php#corse (translated)

6th https://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn310-347.htm

7th https://www.traditions-air.fr/unit/escadron/groupe_reco.htm#GR03302 (translated)

8th https://www.traditions-air.fr/unit/escadron/3C2-4C1.htm#3C219441201

Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part five. The Spitfire in French hands, part one.

 

The Supermarine Spitfire had also an ample operational history with France. 
The first Spitfire to serve with the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) was delivered in June 1939. It was a Spitfire Mk.I and was employed for evaluation at the Centre d'essais des materiels aériens (Aerial materials evaluation centre) at Orleans. Due to the beginning of World War 2, it remained there until the French surrender in June 1940, when it was captured by the Germans.

After the Fall of France, two Free French Spitfire squadrons were created within the Royal Air Force (RAF); Nos.340 & 341 plus No.345 which was formed much later. Both Nos.340 & 341 were initially equipped with the Spitfire. 
It should be pointed that the title of "Free French" (Françaises Libres) was applied only to units formed under British tutelage during the period of existence of Vichy France, which had its own armed forces, with their own air force, so those who were enlisted in the Free French units were considered as traitors by the Vichy authorities and were deposed of their rights as prisoners of war. 
However, since Operation Torch and the invasion of French Morocco and Algeria in November 1942, the application of that term to newly formed units -many French units turned completely to the Allied- lost its meaning due to the occupation of Vichy France by Germany in November 1942. So later French units serving with the RAF no longer bore the nickname of "Free French". 

So, the French Spitfire squadrons that saw service with the RAF were the following:

• No.340 Squadron/Groupe de Chasse IV/2 "Île de France": Formed with Spitfires Mk.IIa in Scotland, on 7th November 1941, this unit was initially assigned to defensive patrols over Scotland. After being equipped with the Spitfire Mk.V and early versions of the Mk.IX, it was rebased to southern England in April 1942 to perform fighter sweeps over northern France. These missions lasted until March 1943 when the squadron was moved back to Scotland to rest. 
  During November 1943 it was sent to south-western England to perform fighter sweeps and anti-shipping operations off the coast of Brittany. In April 1944 it was assigned to No.145 Wing which was part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force and saw action during Normandy landings and subsequent campaign. 
  They were rebased to France in August 1944 and shortly later, in September, to Belgium. However this would not last long, as in that same month they were called back to England to fly bomber escort missions from RAF Biggin Hill for two weeks in November 1944.
  In February 1945 the squadron, this time operating from the Netherlands and reassigned back to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, flew fighter sweeps until the end of the war. It was part of the Allied Occupation Forces in Germany but in November 1945 was transferred to the newly re-founded Armée de l'Air. 
  
• No.341 Squadron/Groupe de Chasse III/2 "Alsace": Formed on 15th January 1943 from Free French personnel from Free French Flight, which had been operating in the Western Desert campaign, this unit was formed in Great Britain and by March, equipped with the Spitfire Mk.V and the Mk.IX, they performed fighter sweeps over Northern France, operating from RAF Biggin Hill. 
  In October 1943 the unit was sent to Cornwall, to take part in more fighter sweeps, this time over Brittany. This took until April 1944 when the formation was assigned to No.145 Wing and, therefore, was transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force. The squadron provided aerial support for the Normandy landings and just like the No.340 Squadron, it was rebased to Normandy in August 1944 and then to Belgium in September. The squadron remained in continental Europe acting in the ground support /armed reconnaissance fighter role for most of the rest of the war, although in February 1945 it flew back to RAF Turnhouse, in England to be re-equipped with the Spitfire Mk.XVI. It was transferred back to the Armée de l'Air in November 1945.
• No.345 Squadron/Groupe de Chasse II/2 "Berry": This unit, formed in February 1944 from French veterans who served through the Middle-East and the African North-Western campaigns. It was formed in Scotland, but was soon rebased to the south of England to take part in Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, under the command of No.141 Wing, part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force. 
  In November the squadron was moved to Belgium and, together with other French squadron, formed the No.145 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force, performing fighter sweeps, attacking communication hubs, troops concentrations and some occasional bomber escorts until the end of the war. In November 1945 it was transferred to the Armée de l'Air.

to be continued.

Sources:

1st https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Supermarine_Spitfire_operators#France

2nd AJ-Press - Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire Part 3 (translated)

3rd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._340_Squadron_RAF

4th https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._341_Squadron_RAF

5th https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._345_Squadron_RAF

6th http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/340_wwII.html

7th http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/341_wwII.html

8th http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/345_wwII.html