French losses on 15.05.40
 

Hi everyone,

I`m moving slowly forward so I have some question regarding following clashes that occured on 15.05.40:
- I/JG2 claimed at 16.00 s.Sedan one Potze 63 shot down
- III/JG2 claimed at 18.05 W.S.W Charleville one Curtiss s/d
- III/JG26 claimed at 08.35 Loewen one Mureaux s/d
- II/JG52 claimed at 12.33 S.E Dinant four MS-406 s/d (possibly overclaiming)
- I/JG53 claimed at 16.10-16.22 s.Charleville 3 MB-151 s/d
- I/JG77 claimed at 20.35 s.Gerpinne one LeO451 s/d
Any idea about the French units, pilots and serials?
TIA for any information.

Regards

Robert

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Can I suggest that you obtain the book
ILS ETAIENT LA... by Paul and Jacqueline Martin
Aeroeditions
2-9514567-2-7

This has a complete chronological listing of L'Armee de l'Aire losses in the Battle of France. Plus lots of photos and background.

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Hi Graham,

thanks for the sugestion but my currently situation does not allow me to buy this book. Therefore I`m kindly asking for help:).

Regards

Robert

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Hi,


does really nobody could help me in this subject?


Regards

Robert

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Look up Hawk-Eye aka Yves Michelet in the members list, who published the first edition of Paul Martin's book, he will certainly help you find your answers.

Unfortunately a forum will always be a community effort based on voluntary information exchange, if it doesn't happen better luck next time!

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Your Potez is probably P63/11 n° 584 from GAO546 shoot down in flames by 3 Bf109E. The wreck fall in Belgium at Mettet (Belgium), crew Cpt Compin, Lt Pradelle and Corporal Revelli safe.
2 Curtiss were lost this day n° 180 and 145 from II/5 in an early morning fight and these a/c are not yours birds, probable misidentification.
The poor old Mureaux were not longer in operational unit at this date.
II/JG52 fight againt 9 GCIII/7 Morane was a catastrophic event, French loses were Lt Costey (n° 837) ; Sgt-Chief Morlot (231) both killed. Sgt Boyer (153) and Lt Challe (168) saved only by silkworms works.
3 GCII/1 Bloch 152 were lost the same day, Adj Munier and Adj-Chief Autier killed, Lt Brun safe. For memory the only Bloch 151 in operational unit were Aéronavale aircraft based in Southern France.
The GB I/31 loses were high this day, a/c 27, 105, 80, 54 (accident), 42 and 78 (collision on runway). All were lost early in the day and I don't find a candidate for 20.35 ?

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Alain,


thanks a lot for this great info!


Regards

Robert

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Hi,

LeO 451 claimed by JG 77 at 20:45 was most probaly Potez 63.11 n° 584 from GAO 546. Mettet is very close to Gerpinnes and Sedan is too far.

Actually, Potez 63 claimed by I./JG 2 was probably Potez 63.11 n° 258 from GR II/22 shot down near Sedan. Sous-lieutenant Lechevrel, adjudant-chef Lemoine & sergent-chef Steilde, all killed.

Sources : Aéro Journal n° 43 june-july 2005

Regards

Stéphane

Re: French losses on 15.05.40
 

Hi,

Stephane thanks a lot!

Regards

Robert