French aircraft escaped to Gibraltar June 1940
 

Hi guys

I have a note that the following French aircraft reached Gibraltar on 29 June 1940:

C.510 (F-AOFN)
MS230 (No.925)
MS315 (No.4)
Simoun (No.299)
MB175 (No.117)

Can anyone confirm or otherwise that these were the trainers that flew from Casablanca and landed aboard the carrier Ark Royal when she sailed off the Moroccan coast? If they weren't, can anyone provide the identities of said trainers?

Cheers
Brian

Re: French aircraft escaped to Gibraltar June 1940
 

Hi Brian,

Here is a partial reply :

MS230 (No.925)
Meknes Gibraltar Slt Jean Ganuchaud

MS315 (No.4)

Meknes Gibraltar Must be Marcel Boisot and Jean Petit-Laurent


HTH

Bertrand H

Re: French aircraft escaped to Gibraltar June 1940
 

Hi Bertrand

Thanks for the details. I note that Casablanca is closer to Meknes than Gibraltar - do you think these two aircraft landed on board the Ark Royal?

Cheers
Brian

Re: French aircraft escaped to Gibraltar June 1940
 

Brian,


I do not think that these A/C landed on board the Ark Royal. On 26 july a message sent from Gibraltar to War office explained that 14 aircraft were arrived in Gibraltar : 3 Glenn Martin, 1 Glenn Martin shot down by AA, 2 Simoun, 1 Simoun crashed when landed, 2 Caudron Goeland [one of two was the n°192 with Mouchotte/LAfont]), 1 Caudron Pélican [your C.510 F-AOFN], 1 morane 230, 1 potez crashed when landed

Six aircraft sent to UK : 1 GM by air and 2 GM, 1 MS230, 2 MS315 were dismantled and loaded on 21 july on SS RHin (later HMS Fidelity)

2 Goeland, 2 Simoun and 1 Pelican will stay here.

HTH

Bertrand H

Re: French aircraft escaped to Gibraltar June 1940
 

Hi Bertrand

I hope to find more when I next visit the National Archives.

I note what you say, but presumably Ark Royal would have discharged the French aircraft at Gibraltar on her return the following day, so they would have been at Gibraltar and included in the 26 July message you mention.

What do you think?

Cheers
Brian

Re: French aircraft escaped to Gibraltar June 1940
 

Brian,

Please check your "private messages" on this forum

Bertrand