French Aircraft that escaped to Britain from June 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

As far as I am aware none of the French aircraft that reached England in June 1940 were sent to the Middle East. Those that operated in the ME came mainly from from Syria in June 1940.

However, three D.520s (I have 137, 139 and 140) and eight FF fighter pilots were put aboard the 'Westerland' for the 'invasion' of Dakar in September 1940. The vessel also carried six crated Blenheims and a dozen crated Lysanders, together with FF crews. Therefore, the D.520s never wore British markings and the French pilots were not absorbed into the RAF but retained their uniform and autonomous identity. The D.520s were later offloaded at Douala in the Camerouns, where one crashed with the death of the pilot. Another of the eight pilots had been captured at Dakar (he piloted one of the Lucioles), and the remaining six ended up in the Middle East, where they helped, albeit briefly, in the defence of Athens, and later made their mark in the defence of Tobruk (may I recommend 'Hurricanes over Tobruk' for anyone interested in their adventures)

Hope this helps
Cheers
Brian