Bloch 174 losses

[James A Pratt III]

Does anyone have a list of the 20+ Bloch 174s lost during the period 10 May-30 June 1940 and the causes ect? I already know about the pre-10 May losses from the Fledgling eagles and the Operation Torch losses from FOT.

[Peter Cornwell]

James,

Not a full list by any means, but here are a few of them for you.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

GR II/33 Bloch 174 (9). Landed at Bourget damaged by ground-fire during low-level reconnaissance over armoured columns between Guise and Ribemont 5.00 a.m. S/Lt. Hochedé and observer unhurt. Adjt. G. Millet baled out over Grisy-les-Plâ tres, hit the tailplane and fell mortally wounded. Aircraft a write-off.

SUNDAY, MAY 19

GR I/52 Bloch 174 (8). Shot down by enemy aircraft during reconnaissance sortie over the Ardennes and the Meuse valley to Maastricht. Crashed and exploded west of Vaudesincourt, 26 km east of Reims 6.00 p.m. Sgt. M. Grand and Sgt. E. Zinck killed. Lt. J. Fulcrand fell from aircraft with unopened parachute and killed. Aircraft a write-off.

GR I/52 Bloch 174 (35). Returned to base badly damaged in attacks by Bf109s near Cambrai during reconnaissance sortie over the Ardennes and the Meuse valley 6.00 p.m. Sgt. Cugnet and rest of crew unhurt. Aircraft damaged but repairable.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

GR 1/52 Bloch 174 (29). Spun from 15,000 feet during engine test; crashed and burned out alongside the runway at Pleurs, 10 km south-east of Sezanne. Capt. M. Bertaux (Commandant), Sgt. L. Hubin, and Sgt. H. Blanchot killed. Aircraft a write-off.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

GR I/33 Bloch 174 (17). Crashed and caught fire on take-off from Tavaux during transit flight to Martigny-les-Gerbonvaux. Lt. B. Germette, Sgt. Rebois, and Sgt. Vaillant killed. Aircraft a write-off.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

GR I/52 Bloch 174. Returned to Bourges damaged by flak during reconnaissance sortie over enemy armoured columns around Autin, Chaumont, Troyes, and Melun p.m. Capt. Martre wounded in leg. Lt. Layec unhurt. Aircraft damaged but repairable.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

GC III/3 Bloch 174 (101). Collided with LeO 451 and caught fire in take-off accident at Perpignan during transit flight. Capt. A. Le Bideau (Commandant) seriously injured, died same day; rest of crew unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.