About Luftwaffe recon missions over South France : 1940-1941-1942

[canonne]

Hi,
I woud like information about the recon missions flown by Luftwaffe over South France , exactly : “Zone Libre” (so called “Free zone”) or “Zone non occupée” in 1940,1941, 1942.
Units ? Missions ? Targets : Airdomes ? Harbors ? Do you know if an article or a book study examines this subject ?
Thanking you in advance.
Philippe

[Chris Goss]

Surely there would be no "targets" or "missions" as it was under Vichy control? All they would have to do is land or overfly at will

[Bruce Dennis]

Chris,
That is what I thought too but the buildup of resistance fighters in the Vercours area called for recon. This began to gain momentum in 1942. I do not know which units but several sorties by Storch and other aircraft are mentioned in Paddy Ashdown's "Cruel Victory". Perhaps these were 'at will' but they were recon. My copy is not to hand but he is pretty good about citing sources.
Regards,
Bruce

[ouidjat]

Brouce,

We don't know the "Vercours" in France; can you point this area on a map
Regards,
Franck.

[Nick Beale]

The big Vercors build-up came after the introoduction of compulsory labour service late in 1943, after the Germans had occupied all of France. It was people evading this who made up much of the rural Maquis. It was really only in 1944 that the Germans began to appreciate that they couldn’t leave it to the Vichy police and paramilitaries to deal with.

The bulk of the air actions against the Vercors in Summer 1944 were by KG 26, JGr. 200, III./SG 4 and Geschwader Bongart. There had been ad hoc air action against the Glières Maquis in March by He 111s of IV./KG 55 and Fw 190s of 10./ZG 1. Before that it’s quite possible that Army or SS units used light aircraft on spotter duties — many HQs had a small duty/liaison flight at their disposal.

[Bruce Dennis]

My mistake, correct spelling is VERCORS as in Nick's post.

Bruce

[Chris Goss]

So such missions would appear to have been later which confirms what we all think that such recce missions came after 1943

[Bruce Dennis]

Of course the situation changed from November 1942 but I'm addressing the question originally posted by Phillppe: recon 1940-42 over southern France. I have no idea what records exist or what level of detail they contain concerning aircraft or units for these dates but perhaps Philippe is looking for some leads to follow up.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Perhaps something was indeed carried out before Operation Lila, who knows?
If I were on the German High Command, or the 7 Pz. Division, I would have ordered a recon flight to know the disposition of the ships, more details about the garrison, etc...no doubt!
Now, if that hapenned and was registered somewhere (Official Documents), this is anothe story...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuttl...leet_in_Toulon

Adriano B.