Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Hi guys

Hopefully someone may have information regarding the following French pilots who were involved in repelling FAA attacks on Mers-el-Kebir (July 1940) and Dakar (September 1940).

I am seeking the first names of the following pilots of GCII/5 (Oran)

Sous-Lt Boudier
Lt Tremolet
S/C Legrand
Cne Portalis
S/C Gisclon
A/C Dugoujon

Bizerte E2-1 of Esc.2 was badly shot up by Skua and alighted on sea. Identity of crew required, and seriousness of damage.

Dakar (September 1940) GCI/4 pilots
Lt Milbeau
Asp Duval (killed 23/9/40)
A/C Baillet
Sgt Lemare
Cne O'Byrne
Lt Minot
Cne Cauthin

Lt de V. Hardy (GHS-7)
Lt de V. Roux (Esc.4)

M167F II/GR2 severely damaged by Skua (DBR) identity of crew?
Loire 130 (No22) shot down in error by D.501 of I/6. Details/fates of Loire crew and identity of D.501 pilot required.

Any details will be most appreciated.
Cheers
Brian

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Brian,


the first :

Sous-Lt Boudier PAUL
Lt Tremolet RENE
S/C Legrand ANDRE
Cne Portalis GERARD
S/C Gisclon JEAN
A/C Dugoujon JEAN

HTH

Bertrand

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Brian,


the following :

Lt Milbeau ROBERT

A/C Baillet PAUL
Sgt Lemare GEORGES
Cne O'Byrne PATRICK
Lt Minot PIERRE

HTH again,

Bertrand

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Hi Bertrand

Many thanks indeed, much appreciated. That just leaves the following unanswered queries.

First names required for:

Asp Duval (I/GC4) killed 23 September 1940
Cne Gauthrin (I/GC4) (not Cauthrin as previously written!)
Lt de V. Hardy (GHS-7)
Lt de V. Roux (Esc.4)

And details of:

6 July 1940: Bizerte E2-1 of Esc.2 was badly shot up by Skua and alighted on sea. Identity of crew required, and seriousness of damage.

24 September 1940:M167F II/GR2 severely damaged by Skua (DBR) identity of crew?

25 September 1940: Loire 130 (No22) shot down in error by D.501 of I/6. Details/fates of Loire crew and identity of D.501 pilot required.

Fingers crossed
Brian

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Brian,

Is it possible that the Breguet Bizerte vs. Skua encounter was on 3 July 1940?
In a report by the CO of 803 Squadron (Lt J. Bruen) and dated 4 July 1940 he writes that Sub Lt Brokensha and LAC Coston, crew of Skua L2997 "put one engine out of action and observed streams of petrol come out of the tank".

Source: www.hmshood.org.uk

Regards,

Leendert

PS Also found Justin Gisclon instead of Jean.

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Thanks Leendert - my slip once again!

I'm surprised that Duval's details have not come to light, since he was killed.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Found a Roger Duval on French website www.cieldegloire.com

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

..its Jean Gisclon ...wrote a number of books post-war including "les as de l'escadrille lafayette" ..among others ..always maintained that he himself was an "ace of the Lafayette" although only ever officially credited with four ...no evidence for the fifth..

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Thanks guys for the additional information

FalkeEins: I note that Gisclon claimed a Skua on 6 July 1940 - what were his other cliams? Did he write about the Mers-el-Kebir action in his book? If so, are you able to scan me the section?

Thanks in advance
Brian

Re: Vichy French pilots 1940
 

Brian,

Just to get out of the Justin or Jean Gisclon question: it appears that his official name was Jules, Justin Gisclon, but perhaps his "nom de guerre" (at least his first name) was a mere Jean. Born 30 April 1913 in Lyon.

Leendert