Hi.
Here is a bash of a Free French pilot (Capitaine) who fought in the Squadron GC N3 "Normandie-Niemen" on the Russian Front from October 1942 to may 1945. This unit was made after the will of the General de Gaulle to send a French unit on all fronts.
This squadron used Yak fighter.
This unit of Free French pilots arrived in Russia during the battle of Stalingrad at a moment who nobody would bet a penny on the Russian. This unit a squadron at the beginning became a regiment size and fought in the 303 fighter Division under the command of General Zakharov.
This unit, who was the only western unit present on the Russian side, was more than famous all around Russia. A lot of street and school in Russia have been named Normandie-Niemen after the war.
The history of the Free French squadron is still taught in all Russian school.
The Normandie squadron fought againts Molders yellow nose. Keitel signed an order to kill all the "Normandie" pilots prisoners. It occures apparently 4 times.
The record of the squadron Normandie-Niemen during WWII is:
5240 missions
273 officials victories (one of the best)
15 dead, 31 missing, 6 wounded.
35 Normandie pilots are aces (more than 5).
The lieutenant Marcel Lefevre was the first non-soviet to become Hero of the Soviet Union. 3 others French pilots receive the highest Soviet decoration.
To thank the French, Stalin gave to all the pilots their Yak fighters and they flight back with them in France.
The pilot was dress with a mix of Russians, French and British item.
I Hope that you will enjoy him. This is a tribute to one of my favourite Free French unit. I cant tell the entire story about those pilots who have been more than welcome by their Russian brother in arms.
Here is a bash of a Free French pilot (Capitaine) who fought in the Squadron GC N3 "Normandie-Niemen" on the Russian Front from October 1942 to may 1945. This unit was made after the will of the General de Gaulle to send a French unit on all fronts.
This squadron used Yak fighter.
This unit of Free French pilots arrived in Russia during the battle of Stalingrad at a moment who nobody would bet a penny on the Russian. This unit a squadron at the beginning became a regiment size and fought in the 303 fighter Division under the command of General Zakharov.
This unit, who was the only western unit present on the Russian side, was more than famous all around Russia. A lot of street and school in Russia have been named Normandie-Niemen after the war.
The history of the Free French squadron is still taught in all Russian school.
The Normandie squadron fought againts Molders yellow nose. Keitel signed an order to kill all the "Normandie" pilots prisoners. It occures apparently 4 times.
The record of the squadron Normandie-Niemen during WWII is:
5240 missions
273 officials victories (one of the best)
15 dead, 31 missing, 6 wounded.
35 Normandie pilots are aces (more than 5).
The lieutenant Marcel Lefevre was the first non-soviet to become Hero of the Soviet Union. 3 others French pilots receive the highest Soviet decoration.
To thank the French, Stalin gave to all the pilots their Yak fighters and they flight back with them in France.
The pilot was dress with a mix of Russians, French and British item.
I Hope that you will enjoy him. This is a tribute to one of my favourite Free French unit. I cant tell the entire story about those pilots who have been more than welcome by their Russian brother in arms.
