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Bomber Group GB I/21

1st Squadron
2nd Squadron


Historical

On May 10, 1940, GB I/21 is attached to Group No9 of the Southeast Bombardment Aviation Training Group of the ZOAA (Alpine Air Operations Area).


Staff

Commanders of the group GB I/21
Commander DEPERROIS André  
Commanders of the 1st Squadron
Lieutenant FAURE
 
Lieutenant MARCHAND Pierre
May 24, 1940
 
Lieutenant LAFITTE Vincent
May 25, 1940
 
Captain TOURNISSA Jean
 
Commanders of the 2nd Squadron
Captain PRAT Roger  
Lieutenant HOBART

 

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil-statut
Photos Citations & Decorations
ARMANET
Sergeant
Machine Gunner

On June 13, 1940, Amiot 354 No7 was destroyed following a landing in the countryside after returning from a bombing mission. Sergeant ARMANET is unharmed

Sergeant ARMANET later joined the Free French Air Force and fought with the GBM 2/52, equipped with twin-engine B26 Marauder bombers.

   
BAECKLER Joseph - Michel
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
On May 28, 1940, No33 Amiot 354 crashed on landing after returning from a mission. The crew is injured.
   
BEAUFRERE Pierre
Sergeant
Radio
The Bloch MB 210 No55 shot by the Flak on June 8, 1940, crashes into the marshes: the crew is killed.Sergeant BEAUFRERE's body was not found until August 1940 and he was buried in Offoy.
Born in Nevers (58 - Nord) on 20 November 1914
Killed on 8 June 1940 at Offoy (80 - Somme)
 
BORDENET
Adjutant
Pilot
On June 13, 1940, Amiot 354 No7 was destroyed following a landing in the countryside after returning from a bombing mission. Adjutant BORDENET is unharmed.
   
BOURET
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
On May 28, 1940, Amiot 354 No33 crashed on landing after returning from a mission. The crew is injured.
   
CHARLES Jean-François
Lieutenant
Observer�
Injured in Air Combat June 3, 1940
   
COLOMBO Roger
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
The Bloch MB 210 No55 shot by the Flak on June 8, 1940, crashes into the marshes: the crew is killed.The body of Second Lieutenant COLOMBO was not found until August 1940 and buried in Offoy.
Born at Créchy (03 - Allier) on 4 August 1917
Killed on 8 June 1940 at Offoy (80 - Somme)
 
DEPERROIS André - Roger
Commander
Cder of Group
Born on 14 December 1905 in Chartres (28 - Eure)
Died in Paris (75) on 8 March 1980
   
DESCAMP
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
On June 13, 1940, Amiot 354 No7 was destroyed following a landing in the countryside after returning from a bombing mission. Lieutenant DESCAMP is injured.
   
DULAU Pierre - Albert
Corporal
Machine Gunner
The Bloch MB210 No185 is shot down by the Flak on May 25, 1940. The crew is killed.
Born on 22 May 1921 at Guiche (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Killed on 25 May 1940 at Graincourt lèz Havrincourt (62 - Pas de Calais)
 
EYMERY Paul - Auguste
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
The Bloch MB210 No185 is shot down by the Flak on May 25, 1940. The crew is killed.
Born 16 March 1915 at Notre Dame de Vaulx (38 - Isère)
Killed on 25 May 1940 at Graincourt lèz Havrincourt (62 - Pas de Calais)
 
FAURE Jean - Marie
Lieutenant
Cder 1st Sqn.
He was killed on May 10, 1940, while fighting with GB II/21: Amiot 354 No. 6 suffered engine failure and crashed during an experimental flight. The crew was killed.
Born January 2, 1900 at Vicq sur Breuilh (87 - Haute-Vienne)
Killed on May 10, 1940 at Sougy (45 - Loiret)
   
GALERNEAU Marcel - Léon
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On May 24, 1940, Amiot 354 No38, probably hit by the Flak, crashed. The crew is killed.
Born on 6 July 1912 at Le Bernard (85 - Vendée)
Killed on 24 May 1940 at Cuisy en Almont (02 - Aisne)
 
GEIGER
Sergeant
   
IRSCH Maurice
Sergeant
�Machine Gunner
The Bloch MB 210 No55 shot by the Flak on June 8, 1940, crashes into the marshes: the crew is killed. Sergeant IRSCH's body was not found until August 1940 and he was buried in Offoy.
Born in Paris (75) on 5 August 1918
Killed on 8 June 1940 at Offoy (80 - Somme)
 
HOBART
Lieutenant
Cder 2nd Sqn..
   
HOUDENOT René - Jean
Staff-Sergeant
Radio

On May 28, 1940, Amiot 354 No33 crashed on landing after returning from a mission. The crew is injured.

After the Armistice, René HOUDENOT joined the GR I/14 and was killed in an accident on 30 April 1941.

Born on 19 July 1914 in Beleymas (24 - Dordogne)
Killed on 30 April 1941 at Bacarès (66 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
   
LAFARGUE Maurice - Jean
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
On May 24, 1940, Amiot 354 No38, probably hit by the Flak, crashed. The crew is killed.
Born on 15 March 1909 at Laruns (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Killed on 24 May 1940 at Cuisy-en-Almont (02 - Aisne)
 
LAFITTE Vincent - Henri
Lieutenant
Pilot and Cder 1st Sqn.
Born August 3, 1906 in Castets (40 - Landes)
Died at Bayonne (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques) on 01 September 1986
 
LAMY Fernand - André
Lieutenant
Observer
Born in Caen (14 - Calvados) on 20 August 1914
Died February 01 2005 at Nimes (30 - Gard)
 
MARCHAND Pierre
Lieutenant
Cder 1st Sqn.
Crew Chief
On May 24, 1940, Amiot 354 No38, probably hit by the Flak, crashed. The crew is killed.
Born on 21 October 1903 at Dugny (55 - Meuse)
Killed at Cuisy-en-Almont (02 - Aisne) on 24 May 1940
 
MOULINIER Albert
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
The Bloch MB210 No185 is shot down by the Flak on May 25, 1940. The crew is killed.
Born in Vitebsk (Russia) on 21 February 1917
Killed on 25 May 1940 at Graincourt lèz Havrincourt (62 - Pas de Calais)
 
PARIS Robert - Martial
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
The Bloch MB210 No185 is shot down by the Flak on May 25, 1940. The crew is killed.
Born on 4 December 1908 at Villey Saint-Etienne (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
Killed on 25 May 1940 at Graincourt lèz Havrincourt (62 - Pas de Calais)
 
PRAT Roger - Jean
Captain
Cder 2nd Sqn.
En Juillet 1937, Roger PRAT, alors Lieutenant, commandait la 2eme Escadrille du GB I//31
Born on 2 April 1911 in Lion-d'Angers (49 - Maine et Loire)
Died in Paris (75) on 31 August 2004
   
PUIVIF
Sergeant
Radio
On June 13, 1940, Amiot 354 No7 was destroyed following a landing in the countryside after returning from a bombing mission. Sergeant PUIVIF is unscathed.
 
SABOURAULT Paul - Ernest
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
On June 13, 1940, the Amiot 351 No 64, hit a hill on the return of a mission. Chief Warrant Officer SABOURAULT is seriously injured.
Born in Mareuil sur Arnon (18 - Cher) on 14 August 1906
Died at Saint-Pierre-Quiberon (56 - Morbihan) on 24 October 1991
 
SERE Georges - Ludovic
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
On May 24, 1940, Amiot 354 No38, probably hit by the Flak, crashed. The crew is killed.
Born on 30 May 1907 at Béziers (34 - Hérault)
Killed at Cuisy-en-Almont (02 - Aisne) on 24 May 1940
 
SOLTNER Jean - Maurice
Lieutenant
Pilot
The Bloch MB 210 No 55 shot by the Flak on June 8, 1940, crashes into the marshes: the crew is killed. Lieutenant Soltner's body was not found until August 1940 and he was buried in Offoy.
Born on 5 November 1908 at Belfort (90 - Territoire de Belfort)
Killed on 8 June 1940 at Offoy (80 - Somme)
TOURNISSA Jean
Captain
Cder 1st Sqn.
Services spéciaux de l'Armée (SSA)
Born in Pamiers (09 - Ariège) on 11 August 1912
Killed at La Baume d'Hostun (26 - Drôme) on 28 August 1944
   
TURREL Edouard - Albert
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
On June 13, 1940, Amiot 351 No 64, damaged by the Flak, struck a hill on the return from a mission.Lieutenant TURREL died the next day as a result of his injuries.
Born on 10 October 1911 in Bordeaux (33 - Gironde)
Killed on 14 June 1940 at Humbligny (18 - Cher)
 
VAUTHIER
Sergeant
Machine Gunner

On May 28, 1940, No33 Amiot 354 crashed on landing after returning from a mission. The crew is injured.

Sergeant VAUTHIER went on to join the Free French Air Force and, in July 1944, joined the GB I/25 Tunisia Heavy Bombardment Group equipped with Halifax four-engined aircraft.

   
VEIT Paul - Louis
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
Bloch MB 210 No 55 was shot down by Flak on 8 June 1940 and crashed in the marshes, killing the crew. The body of Warrant Officer Paul VIET was only found and identified on 30 September 1942 and buried in Offoy.
Born in Belfort (90 - Territoire de Belfort)
Killed on 8 June 1940 at Offoy (80 - Somme)
 

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Crew
LAFARGUE Maurice
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Amiot 354 No 38 : Damaged by Flak, it crashes on May 24th, 1940. The crew is killed
MARCHAND Pierre
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
SERE Georges
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
GALERNEAU Marcel
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
MOULINIER Albert
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Bloch MB210 No 185 : Shot down by Flak on May 25, 1940. The crew is killed
EMERY Paul
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
PARIS Robert
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
DUCLAU Pierre
Corporal
Machine Gunner
Crew
BAECKLER Joseph
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Amiot 354 No 33 : May 28th, 1940 crashes in the landing. The crew is hurt.
BOURET
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
HOUDENOT René
Staff-Sergeant
Radio
VAUTHIER
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
SOLTNER Jean
Lieutenant
Pilot
Bloch MB 210 No 55 : Shot down by the Flak on June 8, 1940. The plane crashes into the marshes: the crew is killed.
COLOMBO Roger
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
BEAUFRERE Pierre
Sergeant
Radio
VEIT Paul
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
IRSCH Maurice
Sergeant
�Machine Gunner
Crew
BORDENET
Adjutant
Pilot
Amiot 354 No 7 : Destroyed following a landing in campaign on June 13th, 1940, returning to a bombing mission. Lieutenant DESCAMP is injured.
DESCAMP
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
PUIVIF
Sergeant
Radio
ARMANET
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
SABOURAULT Paul
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Amiot 351 No 64 : On June 13, 1940, damaged by the Flak, he struck a hill on the return of a mission. Lieutenant TURREL is killed, and Chief Warrant Officer SABOURAULT is seriously injured.
TURREL Edouard
Lieutenant
Crew Chief

 


Airfield

 

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Chambry
02 - Aisne
September 2, 1939
La Ferté-Gaucher
77 - Seine et Marne
September 20, 1939
Avignon Chateaublanc
84 - Vaucluse
December 21, 1939
La Ferté-Gaucher
77 - Seine et Marne
May 18, 1940
Pont-Sur-Yonne
89 - Yonne
May 24, 1940
Vornay
18 - Cher
June 11, 1940
Agen La Garenne
47 - Lot et Garonne
June 15, 1940
Kalaa-Djerda
Tunisie
June 19, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GB I/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Aircrafts

The GB I/21 was equipped since its creation, following aircrafts :

The used aircrafts are described in the accessible file by the link below. You will find N � of series, Registration, date of affectation to the group, and fate of the plane there.

In this list are identified :

  • 7 Bloch MB210
  • 9 Amiot 354
  • 1 Amiot 351

 


Casualties

Crewmen killed
14
Lieutenant MARCHAND (Combat)
May 24, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant LAFARGUE (Combat)
May 24, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer SERE ( combat)
May 24, 1940
Staff-Sergeant GALERNEAU (Combat)
May 24, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant EMERY (Combat)
May 25, 1940
Staff-Sergeant MOULINIER (Combat)
May 25, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer PARIS (Combat)
May 25, 1940
Corporal DUCLAU (Combat)
May 25, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant COLOMBO (combat)
June 8, 1940
Adjutant VEIT (Combat)
June 8, 1940
Lieutenant SOLTNER (Combat)
June 8, 1940
Sergeant BEAUFRERE (Combat)
June 8, 1940
Sergeant HIRSCH (Combat)
June 8, 1940
Lieutenant TURREL (Combat)
June 13, 1940
Crewmen injured
7
Sub-Lieutenant BOURET (Combat)
May 28, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer BAECKLER (Combat)
May 28, 1940
Staff-Sergeant HOUDENOT (Combat)
May 28, 1940
Sergeant VAUTHIER (Combat)
May 28, 1940
Lieutenant CHARLES (Combat)
June 3, 1940
lieutenant DESCAMP (Combat)
June 13, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer SABOURAULT (Combat)
June 13, 1940

 


Sources

- The citations or decorations listed are extracted from the Official Journals archived in « Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France »
- The dates and places of birth of the Group's personnel are taken mainly from the site : "Mémoires des Hommes"
- Book : "Ils étaient là" by Jacqueline and Paul MARTIN - Editions Aéro-Editions
- ...