US aircaft types ferried on French carrier Bearn, June 1940?

[Sid Guttridge]

The French aircraft carrier Bearn was ferrying about 100 US-built aircraft to France at the time of her country's defeat in June 1940.

Can anyone tell me how many of what types of US aircraft were aboard her?

Many thanks,

Sid.

[Peter Clare]

Vough Vindicators - Grumman Wildcats.

Regards
Peter

[Petitpoucet]

Hi,

As i know from french archives and an article published in AVIONS n°66 by Lucien Morareau, The Bearn leaved Halifax the 16th june 1940, and there wereon bord :
_ 44 Curtiss CW-77
_ 17 Curtiss H-751
_ 25 Stinson 105
_ 6 Brewster 339B

Regards,

Petitpoucet

[Brian]

Hi guys

Were these aircraft then diverted to Britain and did we purchase them? If so, when did the Bearn ariive and at which port? And what happened to the aircraft?

In ignorance
Brian

[Petitpoucet]

No, we kept them !

The Bearn arrived at Point-à-Pitre (Martinique) the 27th june, and then, the aircrafts were landed there. They were stocked during 2 years before many (15 H-751, 15 CW-77 and 2 Brewster) were destroyed the 12th may 1942 by a fire.
After that, some "survivors" were sent in 1944 and 1945 to France and French north Africa where they were used.

I hope this answers your question.

[Brian]

Hi Petitpoucet

Many thanks for your quick and informative response - I am now much wiser!

Cheers
Brian