French a/c loss to German fighters 14.1.40 at "Spichern"

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

One of our researchers is working his way through the captured German microfilm rolls at the US National Archives and found three photos in the AOK1 ("Armeeoberkommando 1"= Army HQ) photo album showing the crash of a French plane shot down by German fighters on 14.1.40 at "Spichern." The wreckage is probably a Potez, and it came down in pieces on snow covered ground and burned out.

We've been unable to locate "Spichern," but Peter Cornwell has come up with the following tentative match up: "10 January 1940: GR 3/55 Potez 63.11 (184). Shot down by Oblt. Seiler (Staffelkapitän) of 1./JG54 during photo-reconnaissance mission over Grezhausen and crashed at Blotzheim 11.15 a.m. Lt. R. Félix (Commandant), Lt. P. Boulard, and Sgt. M. Chancrin killed. Aircraft a write-off."

He further comments: "Apparently this was the sole combat loss to the Armee de l’Air throughout January 1940. The engine block looks like a Mureaux but that tail is certainly Potez 63."

Does anyone have any information that would confirm that we've matched this loss correctly, or can help us locate "Spichern?"

Regards,

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi Larry,

Spichern is the German name for the French village Spicheren (www.spicheren.fr), coordinates 49° 11'25.30 N 6°57'52.02 E.
The village is situated between Stiring-Wendel and Alsting, very close to the German border.

Best regards from Belgium

Luc

[Larry Hickey]

Luc,

Thanks for the info. Your tremendous help is always appreciated. Settled that one! Now if anyone can help us match the loss information with our (Peter's) loss list entry (or not), that will take care of this problem.

Regards,

[Peter Cornwell]

Clearly not the loss I had tentatively suggested.