Vichy French pilots 1940

[Leendert]

Brian,

Somehow also an entry for 3rd instead of 6th July 1940.

While escorting Swordfish a/c some Skuas of 803 Squadron got into a dogfight with 5 Curtiss 75A's.
Skua L2915 was later observed to spin into the sea.

Petty Officer Airman T. Riddler and Naval Airman 1st Class H. Chatterley commemorated on Lee-on-Solent Memorial.

Regards,

Leendert

[Stéphane Lehuédé]

Hi

Originally Posted by Brian

Cne Gauthrin (I/GC4) (not Cauthrin as previously written!)
Lt de V. Hardy (GHS-7)
Lt de V. Roux (Esc.4)

Cne André Gauthrin GC I/4

LV Hardy was flying with 4HS, and his Loire 130 was coded 4HS-7, and LV Roux with Escadrille 4E.

6 July 1940: Bizerte E2-1 of Esc.2 was badly shot up by Skua and alighted on sea. Identity of crew required, and seriousness of damage

Bizerte n° 22 E2-1 of Escadrille E2 has been damaged on 3 july, 49 bullet holes and a large leak of fuel, but no fire. Landing at Arzew port.

Crew

LV Duval
EV (Enseigne de vaisseau) Guillevic
PM (Premier maître) Michel, first pilot
PM Guyader
SM (Second maître) Royer
SM Cleret
SM Pequignot
QM (Quartier-maître) Dubost, wounded.
QM Beunard
QM Berneau

24 September 1940:M167F II/GR2 severely damaged by Skua (DBR) identity of crew?

I guess it's M.167F n° 182 of GB II/62. The plane was damaged but has been able to land at Thiès. Sous-lieutenant Quirin and crew safe.

25 September 1940: Loire 130 (No22) shot down in error by D.501 of I/6. Details/fates of Loire crew and identity of D.501 pilot required.

Loire 130 n° 22 "4E-5" from Escadrille 4E has been shot down by colonel Viguier, commanding officer of Dakar-Ouakam airfield. He was leading 2 other D.501 from Escadrille 1/6. PM Collet, pilot, wounded but the 3 other crew, including EV Collet, killed.

[Brian]

Hi Stephane

Wow! Thanks a million - just about clears all my queries. Many thanks.

Have you identities of Collet's crew? With first names if possible. Also first names of Col Viguier (what was his background?) and S/Lt Quirin?

Cheers
Brian

[FalkeEins]

Originally Posted by Brian

Thanks guys for the additional information

FalkeEins: I note that Gisclon claimed a Skua on 6 July 1940 - what were his other cliams? Did he write about the Mers-el-Kebir action in his book? If so, are you able to scan me the section?

Brian ..his claims are here http://www.cieldegloire.com/gc_2_05.php

..managed to dig out his account of the 6/7/40 victory which is in his "Chasseurs au groupe La Fayette" book, chapter entitled 'Mers-el-Kébir 3 et 6 Juillet'..I'll see what I can do

[Stéphane Lehuédé]

Originally Posted by Brian

Wow! Thanks a million - just about clears all my queries. Many thanks.

Have you identities of Collet's crew? With first names if possible. Also first names of Col Viguier (what was his background?) and S/Lt Quirin?

You're welcome , but sorry, I've no further details.

Stéphane

[Brian]

Thanks guys - super stuff!

Neil - I wait with bated breath for the translation (or scan in French)

Cheers
Brian

[Pathfinder]

In an interesting thread! I haven't read much about the Vichy French pilots.

[Brian]

Hi guys

Colonel Viguier (OC Dakar-Quakham airfield) mentioned - could he have been WWI fighter pilot Armand Viguier? I believe the latter's grandson has recently edited a book about him. Anyone seen a copy? Does it confirm the above etc?

In hope
Brian

[Tom Semenza]

Originally Posted by FalkeEins

..its Jean Gisclon ...wrote a number of books post-war including "les as de l'escadrille lafayette" ..among others ..always maintained that he himself was an "ace of the Lafayette" although only ever officially credited with four ...no evidence for the fifth..

According to the book Les pilotes de chasse francais 39-45 by Listemann, Tilley & Ehrengardt, Justin (Jean) Gisclon made the following 5 claims:

11.05.40 He 111 (shared) Bar-le-Duc
12.05.40 He 111 (shared) Ste-Marie-a-Py
06.07.40 Skua Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria
08.05.42 Fulmar (shared) Casablanca
22.01.43 Fw 190 Pichon, Tunisia

Tom

[Bertrand H]

Brian,


Ltt Jean-Marie QUIRIN. Killed in october 1941.

HTH

Bertrand H