Commanders of 346 and 347 Sqn

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

I would like to know the names of the commanders of the two French squadrons of the Bomber Command, 346 Sqn "Guyenne" and 347 Sqn "Tunisie", when they were formed in UK respectively in May and June 1944.

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

346 FAF was Colonel G.E. Venet, the Base was commanded by Commandant Puget.
Still looking for 347 .
If I find I will get back to you.

Alex

[Bertrand H]

Laurent,


346 sqdn : Lt Col Gaston VENOT, 25/10/43 10/09/44,

347 sqdn : Lt col Marcel VIGOUROUX, 01/08/1943 – 15/03/1945,

HTH

Bertrand H

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks to both of you.

It seems to me I had a Lt Col Venot listed as being lost with 346 Sqn in September 1944, but I didn't make teh connection with the name provided by Alex...

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Guys

Just out of curiosity.
What are these individuals actually commanding?
Reason I ask is that
346Sq is reported as formed on May 16th, 1944
347Sq is reported as formed on June 20th, 1944

So how can these persons command the Squadrons already in late 1943???

Cheers
Stig

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Actually both units existed before in North Africa as French units. They were there on November 1942 and survived the reorganization of the French Armée de l'Air and were sent to UK to convert to heavy bomber (Halifax in both cases) in constituted units. So the "formation" dates of 346 and 347 Sqn are rather the date both units were declared operationnal by the Bomber Command than real formation dates.

346 Sqn was the GB II/23 "Guyenne" and flew its first mission on 1 June 1944 (15 days after "forming").

347 Sqn was the GB I/25 "Tunisie" and flew its first mission on 27 June 1944 (11 days after "forming").

Most of the French units flying from UK followed a similar pattern. 341, 342, 345 and 329 Sqn existed before in Africa, being repestively the groups "Alsace" (GC 1 FAFL), "Lorraine" (GB 1 FAFL), "Berry" (GC II/2) and "Cigognes" (GC I/2, ex-Vichy) and went to UK as constituted units. 340 Sqn "Ilde-de-France" was the only one formed really in UK.

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Actually both units existed before in North Africa as French units. They were there on November 1942 and survived the reorganization of the French Armée de l'Air and were sent to UK to convert to heavy bomber (Halifax in both cases) in constituted units. So the "formation" dates of 346 and 347 Sqn are rather the date both units were declared operationnal by the Bomber Command than real formation dates.

346 Sqn was the GB II/23 "Guyenne" and flew its first mission on 1 June 1944 (15 days after "forming").

347 Sqn was the GB I/25 "Tunisie" and flew its first mission on 27 June 1944 (11 days after "forming").

Most of the French units flying from UK followed a similar pattern. 341, 342, 345 and 329 Sqn existed before in Africa, being repestively the groups "Alsace" (GC 1 FAFL), "Lorraine" (GB 1 FAFL), "Berry" (GC II/2) and "Cigognes" (GC I/2, ex-Vichy) and went to UK as constituted units. 340 Sqn "Ilde-de-France" was the only one formed really in UK.

Hi Laurent,

Do you know if GB II/23 and GB I/25 were operational during the period of the Tunisian campaign? Where were they based at the time and what aircraft were they equipped with.

All I've been able to find is that the Huitieme Groupement formed 01Mar43 (LeO.451) and consisted of crews from GB I/1, GB I/22, GB II/23, GB I/25.

I've been unable to find anything in English on the subject (my French is worse than my German!). Also any info on GB I/1, GB I/22 during the same campaign would be appreciated as the sometimes significant contribution of units belonging to the "minor" players is often overlooked.

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello Andy

I have at home books that will answer your question, but it won't be until next week.

French bombers flew night bombing missions over Tunisia, and maybe recon. As far as I recall, only LeO 451s were used for such operations and one or two were lost, but not from enemy action.

[Andy Fletcher]

Thanks Laurent, much appreciated.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks from me too Laurent

Always nice to see someone with a good library covering his own country.
Thanks for the explanation. Makes very good sense!

Ahhh, wish I could READ all those books I have in French. Progress is so slow when you have to translate every second word or so...

Cheers
Stig