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Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti
Actually both units existed before in North Africa as French units. They were there on November 1942 and survived the reorganization of the French Armée de l'Air and were sent to UK to convert to heavy bomber (Halifax in both cases) in constituted units. So the "formation" dates of 346 and 347 Sqn are rather the date both units were declared operationnal by the Bomber Command than real formation dates.
346 Sqn was the GB II/23 "Guyenne" and flew its first mission on 1 June 1944 (15 days after "forming").
347 Sqn was the GB I/25 "Tunisie" and flew its first mission on 27 June 1944 (11 days after "forming").
Most of the French units flying from UK followed a similar pattern. 341, 342, 345 and 329 Sqn existed before in Africa, being repestively the groups "Alsace" (GC 1 FAFL), "Lorraine" (GB 1 FAFL), "Berry" (GC II/2) and "Cigognes" (GC I/2, ex-Vichy) and went to UK as constituted units. 340 Sqn "Ilde-de-France" was the only one formed really in UK.
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Hi Laurent,
Do you know if GB II/23 and GB I/25 were operational during the period of the Tunisian campaign? Where were they based at the time and what aircraft were they equipped with.
All I've been able to find is that the Huitieme Groupement formed 01Mar43 (LeO.451) and consisted of crews from GB I/1, GB I/22, GB II/23, GB I/25.
I've been unable to find anything in English on the subject (my French is worse than my German!). Also any info on GB I/1, GB I/22 during the same campaign would be appreciated as the sometimes significant contribution of units belonging to the "minor" players is often overlooked.
Regards
Andy Fletcher