226 SQUADRON – FRANCE 1940

[malcolmjameswilson]

Can any Forum members help me identify the airfields used by 226 Squadron during the Battle of France.

The Squadron was based at Rheims between 2 September 1939 and May 16 1940 when it relocated to Faux-Villecerf. It received replacement aircraft on the 17 May. I have a reference taken from the "Battle File" that it was stationed at Sougé (3 June). Other publications state that the Squadron flew home to England from Artins on 15 June.

I located Sougé and Artins on an online map and they seem to be extremely close together.

The above outline of the Squadrons movements seem to me to be unclear. Can anyone give me dates and locations for this Squadron during the retreat from France?

Any help or advice will, of course, be most welcome!

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[Larry]

I have the following for 226 Sqn Battles:

Rheims between 2 September 1939 and May 16 1940 - but with detachments at Perpignan / La Salanque

16th May 1940 - to Faux-Villecerf

15th June 1940 to Artins

18th June 1940 to Thirsk, UK

I've not looked up the French airfields used in May 1940 so am not sure if they are near Souge

[malcolmjameswilson]

Hello Larry,

Thank you for this. I now believe that Sougé was 226 Squadrons base from the 3 until the 15 June. The airfield was attacked at noon on 15 June with casualties for 12, 103 and 226 squadrons resident. A quote found in 'Valiant Wings' states that after the main attack an aircraft of 103 squadron was flown 'to another field'.

Perhaps more Battles, including those of 226 squadron also dispersed to a nearby 'field' before making the final flight back to the UK? On my map Artins is only a short 3.5 km hop from Sougé.

Unlike the majority of RAF history the 'facts' are not easily available due to the loss of so many records during the retreat/evacuation from France. On a positive note I find this both a fascinating campaign and a constant challenge!

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[Iain Torrance]

Malcolm

I believe the correct sequence is:

3 September 39 to 14 May 40 – Reims
14 May 40 to 28 May 40 – Faux-Villecerf (aka Troyes)
28 May 40 to 15 June 40 – Souge (aka Artins)

I’ve no evidence of the use of a dispersal field before the raid on 15 June, the 226 Squ planes flew back to the UK from Souge.

The Franks reference to “after the main attack an aircraft of 103 squadron was flown 'to another field' “ is probably the plane piloted by W/C Dickins to Nantes with S/Ldr. Tait and P/O Max as passengers.

Best regards

Iain

[malcolmjameswilson]

Hello Ian,

Thank you for the very helpful reply. It greatly appreciated – as always!

Kind regards, Malcolm.