Free French AF

[Ike 2K#]

Did Free French AF use other allied planes like from USA, GB, and USSR?

[Nod]

Do you mean what country they flew for? or do you mean types of planes that they flew in that specific country ?

well if I remember right they flew for all three countries at one point and time (thats a mabye for USSR)

If they flew for US they usually got US planes ex. p-47, p-51

If they flew for great Britain they usually got Spits, Hurris

If they did fly for USSR then they flew most of the planes that came though with the lend lease act ex. P-40, P-39, B-25

[brady]

The Normindy Neimen one of the most Famious Free French Air units Flew Yak's they were given their choice of all plane types available and they picked the Yak's ( the 9U I beleave was the varient they flew home in).

 But they flew all kinds of planes, even ex French ones at times.

 In NA they Flew some British Blenhims and other planes, P39's and even SBD's in the liberation of France amongst other types. Durning the BOB they flew Huricans and I belave Spits as well. Their was a French Recon unit that used P38's as well, quiet a varity of types were used in every theater they operated in.

[Gulbert]

The Normandie-Niémen squad flew in the USSR, and became succesful and famous with the Yak-3.
This are the planes they used:

http://normandie.niemen.free.fr/avions/avions1.html

[Arlo]

165 Airacobras were supplied to the Free French Air Force, headquartered in Algiers. P-39Ns equipped two fighter groups in North Africa. First to receive the Airacobra was GC III/6, which received its planes in April of 1943. It was followed by GC I/4, GC I/5, GC III/5 and perhaps GC II/3. GC II/6 had been disbanded under the Vichy regime, but was later reformed as GC II/6 Travail. The Free French P-39Ns and P-39Qs operated initially on coastal patrols in North Africa, and then flew close-support missions over Southern France and Italy until the end of the war in Europe.

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p39_21.html

In March of 1944, the USAAF began providing Hurricane-equipped units of the Free French air force based in North Africa with P-47Ds. By may of 1944 the 4eme Escdre de Chasse was established in Corsica with two Groupes de Chasse. A third Groupe de Chasse was added soon thereafter. These units subsequently moved to southern France and participated in support of US and French units all the way into Germany. A second Escadre was formed late in 1944 and went into action In the last months of the war.

446 Thunderbolts were delivered to the Free French air force based in North Africa. They equipped the following units:



Groupe de Chasse II/6 Travail

Groupe de Chasse II/5 Lafayette,

Groupe de Chasse II/3 Dauphine,

Groupe de Chasse I/4 Navarre

Groupe de Chasse I/5 Champagne

Groupe de Chasse III/3 Ardennes

Groupe de Chasse II/6 Roussillon.
The Groupes de Chasse all bore the name of a French colony or province.

At least 21 Mitchell IIIs were issued by the Royal Air Force to No 342 Squadron, which was made up primarily of Free French aircrews. Following the liberation of France, this squadron was transferred to the newly-formed French air force (Armee de l'Air) as GB I/20 Lorraine. These aircraft were operated by GB I/20 after the war, some being converted from bomber configuration into fast VIP transports. They were finally struck off charge in June of 1947.

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher2/b25_27.html

From March 1943 Marauders became operational with the Free French Air Force with six squadrons, GB.1/19, GB.2/20, GB.1/22, GB.1/32, GB.2/52 and GB.2/63. Again operating with the Marauders Groups of the 42nd Bomb Wing they operated in the tactical bombing offensive. The squadrons of the 42nd Bomb Wing along with the French squadrons gave support to the Allied armies in the invasion of Southern France in August 1944 and supported their drive up through Southern France and through into Germany.

http://faculty.tamu-commerce.edu/dginther/B-26.htm

When the French forces surrendered in June 1940 a large portion of their ground and air forces decided to fight on alongside the allies. In the desert numerous French pilots joined various RAF squadrons until suitable Free French formations could be organised. For a while in June and July 1940, 80 Squadron had on strength two MS 406`s with several French pilots. These subsequently moved to join 274 Squadron when it was formed on Hurricanes.  
 
One French unit, Groupe de Chasse 'Alsace', operated six Gladiators in early 1942. These were probably used as training aircraft, as the unit was equipped with Hurricanes. Information on this unit is difficult to come by, and I only know the serials of two positively identified and one probably, of the six aircraft. It is possible that they were ex-237 Squadron machines, but I do not know for sure.

http://www.geocities.com/acrawford0/French.html

One of the most famous French Fighter Aces of WW2 - fought in the RAF . (snip) He flew with Spitfires Mk Vb , VII , IX and Tempest Mk V fighting mainly against Fw190s and Me262s

http://imansolas.freeservers.com/Aces/pierre_henri_clostermann.htm

 The Spitfire was in service with many different groups and on many different fronts. Belgians, Free French, Poles, Czechs, Americans, and British Commonwealth countries used the fighter.

http://www.pumaslog.addr.com/spitfire.htm


A Yak-3 of the Free French Normandie Nieman Group [/size]

http://home.att.net/~historyzone/Yakovlev.html

Some French pilots, in the debacle at the start of W.W.II, ended up in Russia and formed into the Normandie-Nieman Regiment, an expatriate squadron in the Red Air Force. Operating in severe climates and under primitive ground conditions, they flew 5,240 combat sorties and racked up 273 victories. In fact, the second highest ranking French ace of W.W.II, Captain Andre Albert, with 25 confirmed kills, scored them flying Yakovlevs for the Soviet Air Force! Forty-two of the 97 French pilots, nearly half, were killed or wounded. The Yak-3 at the Musee de l'Air flew with the Normandie-Nieman Regiment and commemorates its courage.

http://www.oaktonhills.com/answer3.htm

I'm sure there's more out there .... just type "Free French Fighter Squadrons" or "French RAF" or Normandie Nieman squadron" or anything else you think may yield something of interest in the search engine bar.

[straffo]

Well I'll try to get some time to make a list of free French planes

In the meanwhile you can consider that anything flying with (or without) gun was used by the free French
(even some Japanese and Germand planes but after WWII)

[GRUNHERZ]

Were the NN pilots French Communists? (nothing implied just asking)

[straffo]

nope , some were faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar from being even socialists

some were even former vichy pilots  (they avoided any political discution ,obvioulsy )

exemple :

DELFINO Louis

Capitaine
GC I/4

11.05.40 (7) He 111 Halle

GC II/9

25.25.40 (2) Bf 109 Moreuil
26.05.40 (5) Hs 126 Péronne [80]
05.06.40 (2) He 111 Compiègne [60]
05.06.40 (7) Hs 126 Péronne [80]
06.06.40 (5) Hs 126 Soissons [02]
09.06.40 (5) Hs 126 Formerie [60]

Commandant

GC I/4

12.08.42 (3) Wellington [ Dakar ]

GC 3

16.10.44 (1) Bf 109    Darkehmen [Poméranie Orientale ]
18.04.44 (1) Fw 190  Stallupönen [P.O.]
22.10.44 (3) Fw 190  Insterburg [P.O.]
26.10.44 (2) Bf 109   Gumbinnen [P.O.]
16.01.45 (1) Fw 190  Kussen [P.O.]
11.02.45 (2) Bf 109   Rositten [P.O.]
27.03.45 (2) Fw 190  Pillau [P.O.]

[GRUNHERZ]

some were even former vichy pilots

Really, how and when did they end up in Russia?

[frank3]

Well I have made some plastic modells, many of them had french decals. Like the F4U and the B26

[brady]

Some went their to help the Russians kinda like they went to England, I beleave they got their from Syria (French tertotary at the time) I remember reading in a book I have on French Aces that they sent some of their members on recrutment drives to NA and elsewhear to get more men to come fly with them in Russia. From, what I rember the Russians were very impresed with them.


 I realy whish AH had a couple French planes and some more early war British one's, be cool to do a CT set up with Madagascar as a backdrop and Syria as one as well whear lthe Brotish faught the  Vichy French in WW2, not to mention a real Operation Torch set up.

[straffo]

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
Really, how and when did they end up in Russia?

yep really
Delphino didn't shot down a German Wellington

They did end in Russia because they wanted to fight for France but were not exactly "personna grata" , but they did end in Russia also because de Gaulle needed some french to fight with the Russian (real-politik at work )

You are right about Syria Brady, the NN pilots nickname was : les Rayack (it's in Lebanon now but at this time it was part of French protectorat)

I will try to find an English source cause if I try to write it myself it will take me a lot of time ... it's a pretty a mess essentially a political tension between de Gaulle ,Giraud and Roosevelt