[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

For the EoE project, we've recently revised our 5 June 1940 entry to correct the spelling of René Pomier-Layrarques:

"5 June 1940 Western Front Amend: Stab III./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4. Shot down by S/Lt René Pomier-Layrargues of GC II/7 and crashed and exploded at edge of woods on ‘Ferme du Villerseau‘ at Canly, west of Compiègne, 5.15 p.m. FF Hptmn Werner Mölders (Gruppenkommandeur) baled out landing between Blincourt and Sacy-le-Petit and captured unhurt – later released. Aircraft Black <◄ + I 100% write-off"

Now we're faced with a further dilemma about the correct presentation of his last name. Many French publications put a hyphen between Pomier and Layrargues.

For example:

S/Lt René Pomier-Layrargues in Ils étaient là … by Jacqueline & Paul Martin (Aéro Editions 2001)
S/Lt René Pomier-Layrargues in Les Victoires De L’Aviation De Chasse Francaise by Arnaud Gillet (Imprimerie Félix 2005)
S/Lt René Pommier-Layrargues in Les Pertes De La Chasse De Jour Allemande En France 1939-1945 Vol.1 by Pierre Watteeuw (Hors-Série No.10)

However, another French source says: "There is no doubt whatsoever for PL’s own brother, rear-admiral Jean Pomier Layrargues, gave me his visiting card in Paris..." Note the absence of a hyphen between the two-part last name. I realize that punctuation on this may have changed within the family since the war, and we want to use the name as it was spelled at the time of the event. Does anyone have access to René's French wartime military personnel records which would give us a definitive answer to the question of how to correctly present his full name?

Our revised Luftwaffe and British "Eagles over Europe" loss data bases for 1939-40 are now completed, although still undergoing continuous updating as much new information is still coming in on an almost daily basis. We are now beginning to tackle a complete revision and updating of the French losses/damages/casualties records as originally published a few years ago by Peter Cornwell in his "Battle of France: Then & Now". If anyone has information to correct or add data to this listing, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator