French combat on 20 June 1940 or earlier

[Håkan]

Hello,

I’m trying to trace a combat in which the French Sergeant Roger Grosjean was shot down by an Italian aircraft. The combat took place around 20 June 1940 or earlier in the Var region (where both Le Luc and St. Raphael are). I don’t have any aircraft type on Grosjean, but I know that he flew MB.152s from Le Luc later.

Is there anyone, who has any ideas when this combat took place and against which Italian unit?

Best wishes/Håkan

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

I can't find any reference to a pilot named Grosjean involved in the 1940 campain over Southern France, either with the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) or the Aéronautique Navale (French Navy Air Force). What is your source to provide this name.

I will use the occasion to say how much your website has been useful for me. Thanks for maintaining and expanding it.

[Stephane Muret]

Hi

Same problem than Laurent. I couldn't find anything about this pilot in my files about battle of France.

Good luck.
Stéphane

[Håkan]

Hello,

Thanks for your help (and kind words on my site). The source of the info is Grosjean's son.

Best wishes/Håkan

[Laurent Rizzotti]

In this area in June 1940, Bloch were flown by the flotilla AC3 of Aéronautique Navale (Bloch 151) and by the Armée de l'Air (at least GC II/8 was in the area).

AC3 was involved in a battle vs CR42 on 15 June 1940, and lost 2 KIA and 6 AC shot down/heavily damaged, but the names of the 9 pilots involved on the French side are listed by one of my sources and there is no Grosjean listed.

On the other hand, Martin's book about the losses of the Armée de l'Air ("Ils étaient là") shows that a Bloch 152 of GC II/8 was lost in a take-off accident on 21 June, unnammed pilot unhurt, and I wonder if it may be your man.

So it will be interesting to know in which branch this man was flying (just knowing his rank will be enough, as Navy and Air Force used different rank names), at leats to reduce the possibilities.

[Håkan]

I'll try to get in touch with his son again to see if he has more info.

Best wishes/Håkan