Sélectionner votre langue : English

- 09 -292015

In Honour and by Victory, twenty second episode : N°1 French Fighter Squadron

№1 French Fighter Squadron – “Escadrille Française de Chasse n°1” (EFC1) was formed in Tobruk, Libya, on 9 April 1941. Its pilots were amongst the first to join the Free French Forces.

Rayak (Liban), 1er octobre 1941. Le général Catroux remet la croix de la Libération à Jean Astier de Villatte, James Denis, Albert Littolff, Xavier de Scitivaux, Louis Ferrant, André Ballatore et Marcel Lebois © musée de l’ordre de la Libération / DRDuring the hellish battle of besieged Tobruk , this squadron was attached to № 73 Squadron RAF, and operated as an independent Flight as “C Flight”, where it played a prominent role in the town’s defence from April 9 to April 25, engaging a force that outnumbered them ten to one.

The squadron flew 80 sorties, claiming 12 enemy aircrafts. Following the retreat by the Allied forces, the squadron was assigned to low-level bombing and convoy protection missions.Les chasseurs Hurricane de l’escadrille française de chasse n° 1 © musée de l’ordre de la Libération / DR On 21 June 1941, the squadron was awarded the Cross of the Liberation, the first military unit to be honoured with this prestigious decoration.

L’escadrille française de chasse n° 1 en Libye © musée de l’ordre de la Libération / DROn 28 August, the squadron was relocated to Lebanon where it was dissolved and replaced, in early September, by Fighter Group 3/2 “Alsace”, formed in the Bekaa Valley.

9 Companions of the Liberation served in №1 French Fighter Squadron –”Escadrille Française de Chasse n°1″.

Crédits photos : © musée de l’ordre de la Libération / DR

Ajouter un commentaire

* champs obligatoires