French Air Force

[MW Giles]

The questions about French units reminded me of a question I have wanted answered for a long time. Sorry, it is very basic and demonstrates my complete ignorance. It has to do with unit nomenclature

Units in the 1940s were given role descriptors GC, GB etc, which I am comfortable with

I believe that the basic unit was a Groupe, for example GC I/3.

Basic Question 1 Is GC I/3 the Groupe or is the Groupe GC3 and GC I/3 a sub unit?

Perhaps I am thinking too much of the Lw.

I believe several Groupes under one command formed an Escadre, but if the Groupe is GC I/3 and GC3 of itself has no function, why link several Groupes together e.g. GC I/3, GC II/3 etc.


Basic Question 2

I am happy that air force units in the Battle of France were noted as Roman numeral/GC Arabic numeral (GC II/3). I think this carried on under the Vichy Regime.

However after the N Africa landings the French Air Force was reconstituted to work alongside the Allies, using units from the Free French Air Forces (FAFL) etc. Opinion seems to vary (even amongst French authors); should the new units follow the old style e.g. GC II/3 or did they become GC 2/3 in the new regime. Post war they were definitely GC 2/3 but when did the change happen?


Help


Regards Martin