Lorrain and Alsace in North Africa

[michele-palermo]

Hello!
I'm I'm looking for the ORBs of these two Free French units between November 41 and July 42.
I had a hard time finding them in the Catalogue of the National Archives. Any help?
Thanks

[Andy_Ingham]

According to 'RAF Squadrons' by W/C Jefford
341 (Alsace) Squadron was not formed until Jan 1943.
GC III/2(Alsace) had been operating in North Africa from September 1941 where the pilots were attached to various RAF squadrons such as 274 & 73 Sqn.
The ORB for the dates Jan 43 - Nov 45 are held at the National Archives in AIR 27/1738
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...accessmethod=5

There also appears to be some information on the Free French Alsace Fighter Squadron dated 1942 -1943 in AIR 23/6004
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...0&Summary=True

342 (Lorraine) Squadron was formed at West Raynham in April 1943.
Prior to this date the squadron had operated in North Africa as GB II/20
The ORB for the dates Sep 41 - Nov 45 are held at the National Archives in AIR 27/1739
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...accessmethod=5

Regards
Andy

[Bertrand H]

Michele

Most of the middle west archives for GC 1 “Alsace” and GB 1 “Lorraine” are held at the Service Historique de la Defense in Vincennes. What are you looking for especially ?

Bertrand

[michele-palermo]

Hi Andy and Bertrand.
Thanks for your attention.
I'm looking for all engagements with enemy aircrafts, or other significant mission, of GB 1 “Lorraine” during November and December 1941 (Operation "Crusader").
After that I'm looking for the same records but related to particular days from January to July 1942. I don't know about “Lorraine” but GC 1 “Alsace” was front line unit between April and June.
Thanks again. Regards
Michele

[michele-palermo]

Unfortunately NA have nothing on the "Lorraine" (342), related to the period I was looking for. About "Alsace" I couln't find the ORBs.

[AndreasB]

Ciao Michele

Not sure about first four weeks of CRUSADER, but from mid-December to mid-January Lorraine was quite active in hammering the encircled Italo-German troops at Bardia and Sollum/Halfaya. They also took losses during this period, to AA, IIRC.

There is a book in French "Croix de Sud, Croix de Lorraine", about the free-French air force in North Africa 1941/42, which may interest you, if you speak French.

http://www.france-libre.net/fafl/uni...e-lorraine.php

Cordiali saluti

Andreas