French Air Force Archives

[MW Giles]

Can anyone point me toward how to get the operational records for the four B-26 units (GBM 1/19, 1/32, 2/52 and 2/63) that operated at the end of WW2 with the 1 Corps Aerian Francais as part of 1 TAF

I am interested in what is held in France, not at Maxwell AFB in the US

Has anyone already trod this path before me?

Regards

Martin

[udf_00]

http://www.servicehistorique.sga.def...s-de-recherche
Sauf autre indication indiquée en rouge, les instruments de recherche mis en ligne concernent les fonds d’archives conservés sur le site du Centre historique des archives à Vincennes, et donc consultables en salle de lecture Louis XIV.
http://www.servicehistorique.sga.def...ture-louis-xiv

http://www.servicehistorique.sga.def...5_174012_3.jpg
http://www.servicehistorique.sga.def...roix-de-guerre
- Forces aériennes libres et forces alliées, AI 4D
http://www.servicehistorique.sga.def...EP_4D_FAFL.pdf
pp81-84

[MW Giles]

Just what I was looking for

Thank you for taking the time

Regards

Martin

[Laurent Rizzotti]

The archives boxes 4 D 114 to 4 D 122 are about the French B-26 air brigade (level just above the bombing groups you're interested in).

As far as I know, there is no "journal de marche" (unit diary) for the groups available in the archives.

For losses in accidents, you can also check this list:
http://www.servicehistorique.sga.def..._ACCIDENTS.pdf

You can also check the book "Pilotes français sur l'Alsace et l'Allemagne", by Daniel Decot. It covers the activities of the French air force over Alsace, Germany (and the French Alps too) from 9 September 1944 to the end of the war in Europe. The B-26 units are included in it of course, and described with many details.
You can also check the other books of the same author "Pilotes français sur l'Afrique du Nord et la Corse", "Pilotes français sur l'Italie", et "Pilotes français sur la vallée du Rhone". All are including B-26 units (the first almost only for training, the others describing war operations).

A German book, "Brennendes Land. Der Luftkrieg in Südwesten", includes descriptions of B-26 operations (US and French) in SW Germany, among other topics.

Sadly both books are missing a complete source list that would enable to know from where the details for French B-26 operations is coming from.

[Bertrand H]

Hi Martin,


You could find infos in these archives boxes :

GB 1/19 : Journal du Groupe 1942-1946 G8050
GB 1/32 : Journal du Groupe 1942-1945 G8221 and also 1ère escadrille 06/1944-09/1944
GB 2/52 : nothing for these dates
GB 2/63 : nothing for these dates

Do not forget the Journal de marche of 34ème Escadre de Bombardement Moyen G7690 01/07/1944-30/05/1945 ; the box G7692 will bring you also many interesting infos.

HTH

Bertrand

[MW Giles]

Thank you both for the valuable additions

Regards

Martin