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".
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
No comments:
Post a Comment