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Reconnaissance Group GR I/14
1st Squadron
2nd Squadron


Photos

 

 

 


Historical

On May 10, 1940, the GR I / 14 is attached to the 1st Army of the 1st Air Division of the ZOAN (North Air Operations Area).

 


Staff

Commanders of the group GR I/14
Lieutenant-Colonel DE-VERDILHAC  
Commander FAYET Georges
 
Commander LAMEY  
Commander of the 1st Squadron
Captain FREBILLOT Pierre
Commander of the 2nd Squadron
Captain FION Pierre

September 9, 1939
 
Captain POSTAL Maxime
September 10, 1939
 
Lieutenant DUGIT-GROS Ernest  

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil Statut
Photos
Citations
BERNET Robert
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
1st Sqn.
- May 12, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°180 is badly damaged in an aerial combat with 4 Me109, and crashes in the airfield: the crew is unscathed.
- May 15, 1940, his Aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°192 is hit by the Flak and crashes into a field. Sergeant BERNET, unscathed, parachutes.
BERTHE
Chief-Warrant Officer
Observer
     
BOUVRY Raymond Louis
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Killed on 9 September 1939 aboard Bloch MB131 n°92, shot down during an aerial combat with two ME109s.
Born in Paris
Killed on September 9, 1939 at Sarreguemines (57 - Moselle)
   
BURCKHARDT René
Adjutant
Pilot
   
CAREUR
Corporal
Observer
1st Sqn.
 
CASTRE Daniel
Sergeant
Pilot
On May 15, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°192 was hit by Flak. The pilot managed to land in a field, but the Lieutenant CASTRE and the Observer, Lieutenant DELAUNAY were wounded, the latter more seriously.
CHABERT
Sergeant
Radio
   
 
DELAUNAY Louis
Lieutenant
Observer
On May 15, 1940, his aircraft, Potez 63-11 n°192 was hit by the Flak. The pilot managed to land in a field, but Lieutenant DELAUNAY, seriously wounded, would be taken prisoner during the German advance  
DE-QUILLAC Pierre Auguste
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
- On June 12, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°720, damaged in air combat, crashes on landing The crew is unscathed
- June 14, 1940, his Aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°604 is shot by German Fighters. Sergeant DE-QUILLAC is killed.
Born May 10, 1904 in Paris
Killed June 14, 1940 at Buchères (10 - Aube)
 
DE-VERDILHAC
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commander of Group
Staff Group
   
D'HENNEZEL
Captain
Observer
On May 17, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°645, hit by the Flak, managed to join his airfield, but crashes on landing. Captain D'HENNEZEL who parachuted will be taken prisoner.    
DUFFAUD
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
On May 14, 1940, his aircraft, Potez 63-11 n°188 was hit by the Flak. The pilot, managed to land: Sergeant DUFFAUD is unscathed.    
DUGIT-GROS Ernest
Lieutenant
Pilot and Commander 2nd Squadron
Staff 2nd Sqn.
 
FAIDHERBE
Sergtent
Pilot
   
FAYET Georges
Commander
Commander du Groupe
Staff Group
 
FION Pierre Jules
Captain
Observer and Commander 2nd Squadron
Staff 2nd Sqn.
Killed on 9 September 1939 aboard Bloch MB131 n°92, shot down during an aerial combat with two ME109s.
Born February 20, 1912 in Nonsard (55 - Meuse)
Killed on September 9, 1939 at Neukirchen (57 - Moselle)
   
FOURNIER Léon Etienne
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On June 14, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°604, engaged with 8 Me109 was shot down in flames. Sub-Lieutenant FOURNIER is killed.
Born August 10, 1917 in Toulon (83 - Var)
Killed June 14, 1940 at Buchères (10 - Aube)
 
FREBILLOT Pierre
Captain
Pilot and Commander 1st Squadron
Staff 1st Sqn.
On September 9, 1939, his aircraft, a Bloch MB131, badly damaged during an air combat with 6 ME109 manages to join his land, but crashes on landing: Captain FREBILLOT is unharmed
Born September 20, 1909 in Cirey sur Baise (52 - Haute-Marne)
Killed in deportation on April 24, 1945 in Ludwiglust (Germany)
HENNION
Lieutenant
Observer
   
JACOB André Etienne
Lieutenant
Observer
Born April 14, 1909 in Corenc (38 - Isère)
Killed November 9, 1940 in Libreville (Gabon)
   
JOSSELIN René
Lieutenant
Observer
   
KERVELLA No�l Louis
Lieutenant
Observer
On May 14, 1940, his aircraft, Potez 63-11 n°188 was hit by the Flak. The pilot manages to land, but Lieutenant KERVELLA is killed.
Born April 29, 1914 in Plougastel-Daoulas (29 - Finistère)
Killed on May 14, 1940 in Belgium
 
LACAILLE Pierre Gaston
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
1st Sqn.
On September 9, 1939, his aircraft, a Bloch MB131, badly damaged during an air combat with 6 ME109, manages to reach his airfield, but crashes on landing: Staff-Sergeant LACAILLE is wounded.
Born January 22, 1912 in Nanterre (75 - Paris)
Died in deportation to Buchenwald
LAMEY
Commander
Commander of Group
Staff Group
   
LE-BRAS
Sergeant
Pilot
On June 12, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°720, damaged in air combat, crashes on landing. The crew is unscathed    
MALHERBE Roland
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
1st Sqn.
Staff-Sergeant in 1937, he was appointed adjutant on April 1, 1940
 
MARTELLIERE Pierre Adolph
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
Killed on September 9, 1939 aboard the Bloch MB131, which, badly damaged during an air combat with 6 ME109, manages to join his land, but crashes on landing.
Born September 4, 1918 in Choue (41 - Loir et Cher)
Killed on September 9, 1939 at Toul (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
 
MERIC Jacques
Lieutenant
Observer
On June 13, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n° 205, damaged in air combat, crashes on landing. Lieutenant MERIC is unhurt.  
MOINEAU
Aspirant
   
 
MOREAUX Philippe
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
On May 12, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°180 is badly damaged in an air fight with 4 Me109, and crashes in the field: the crew is unscathed.
On June 14, 1940, his aircraft, Potez 63-11 n°604 was shot down by German Fighters. Sub-Lieutenant MOREAUX, injured, parachutes.
MOREL
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
   
PARMENTIER
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
On May 17, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°645, hit by the Flak, managed to join his land, but crashes on landing. Sergeant PARMENTIER is injured.  
POMMARES Victor
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
On June 13, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n° 205, damaged in air combat, crashes on landing. Sub-Lieutenant Pommares is unharmed.  
PORCHON René
Sergeant
Pilot
On May 17, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°645, hit by the Flak, managed to join his land, but crashes on landing. Sergeant PORCHON is unharmed.  
POSTAL Maxime
Captain
Commander 2nd Squandron
Staff 2nd Sqn.
 
PRUAL Yves
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner�
On June 13, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°205, damaged in air combat, crashes on landing. Adjutant PRUAL is seriously injured.  
RAYAT Maurice Joseph
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Killed on 9 September 1939 aboard Bloch MB131 n°92, shot down during an aerial combat with two ME109s.
Born March 31, 1907 in Paris
Killed on September 9, 1939 at Neunkirchen (57 - Moselle)
   
ROUGH Roger
Sergeant
Pilot
On May 14, 1940, his aircraft, Potez 63-11 n°188 was hit by the Flak. Sergeant ROUCH, unscathed, succeeds in landing  
RUIZ Alberto
Sergeant
Radio
1st Sqn.
 
THENARD
Adjutant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
 
 
THIEBAULT Jean
Adjutant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
On September 9, 1939, his aircraft, a Bloch MB131, badly damaged during an air combat with 6 ME109, manages to reach his ground, but crashes on landing: Adjutant THIEBAULT is unharmed.
TOURET
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On May 12, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°180 is badly damaged in an air fight with 4 Me109, and crashes in the field: the crew is unscathed.    
TRUSSON
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Seriously wounded on September 9, 1939 aboard the Bloch MB131 n°92, shot down in an air fight with two ME109: he managed to jump parachute.    
VALIN
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On June 12, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°720, damaged in air combat, crashes on landing. The crew is unscathed    
VOLAN Claudius
Chief-Warrant-Officer
Machine-Gunner
   

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Informations
Crew
BOUVRY Raymond
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Bloch MB 131 n° 92 : Destroyed in air combat September 9, 1939: Crew Killed, except Sergeant TRUSSON who, seriously injured, parachutes.
FION Pierre
Captain
Observer
RAYAT Maurice
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
TRUSSON
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
THIEBAULT Jean
Adjutant
Pilot
Bloch MB 131 n° ? : Severely damaged in air combat on September 9, 1939, he crashes on landing: Staff-Sergeant LACAILLE is wounded, and Master-Corporal MARTELLIERE is killed
FREBILLOT Pierre
Captain
Observer
LACAILLE Pierre
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
MARTELLIERE Pierre
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
Crew
MOREAU Philippe
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 180 : Destroyed in aerial combat on May 12, 1940. The crew is unharmed.
TOURET
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
BERNET Robert
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
Crew
ROUGH Roger
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 188 : Hit by Flak on May 14, 1940. The pilot managed to land, but Lieutenant KERVELLA was killed.
KERVELLA Noël
Lieutenant
Observer
DUFFAUD
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
Crew
CASTRE Daniel
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 192 :Hit by the Flak on May 15, 1940. The pilot managed to land in a field: Sergeant CASTRES and Lieutenant DELAUNAY were wounded. The latter will be taken prisoner during the German advance
DELAUNAY Louis
Lieutenant
Observer
BERNET Robert
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
Crew
PORCHON René
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 645 :Hit by the Flak on May 17, 1940, he crashed on landing. The captain HENNEZEL parachutes himself and is taken prisoner. Sergeant PARMENTIER is injured
D'HENNEZEL
Captain
Observer
PARMENTIER
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
Crew
LE-BRAS
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 720 :Destroyed on landing on June 12, 1940 after an aerial combat. The crew is unscathed.
VALIN
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
DE-QUILLAC Pierre
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
Crew
POMMARES Victor
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 205 : Destroyed on landing on June 13, 1940 after an aerial combat. Adjutant PRUAL is seriously injured.
MERIC Jacques
Lieutenant
Observer
PRUAL Yves
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner�
Crew
MOREAUX Philippe
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 604 : Shot down by the German Fifghters on June 14, 1940: Sub-Lieutenant FOURNIER and Sergeant DE-QUILLAC are killed. Sub-Lieutenant MOREAUX, injured, parachutes.
FOURNIER Léon
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
DE-QUILLAC Pierre
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner�
Crew
FAIDHERBE
Sergtent
Pilot
Potez 63-11 : Performed on June 1, 1940 in a reconnaissance mission to locate German batteries pounding the re-boarding beaches of Dunkirk
FOURNIER Léon
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
PRUAL Yves
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
POMMARES Victor
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
POTEZ 63-11 : Performed June 3, 1940 a reconnaissance mission over the beaches of Dunkirk in order to show the French cockades to the French troops who protect the re-embarkation of the British Troops
HENNION
Lieutenant
Observer
MOREL
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner

 


Stories

Names
Photos
Descriptive
Sergeant Daniel CASTRE
Source Mr Hervé CASTRE, his Son
Adjutant Roland MALHERBE
Source Mr Jean-Jacques LEGRAND, his Grandson

 

 

 

 

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Martigny-Les-Gerbonvaux
88 - Vosges
September 1, 1939
La Fère Courbes
02 - Aisne
February 21, 1940
Saint-Simon Clastres
02 - Aisne
March 21, 1940
Escarmain Vertrain
59 - Nord
May 14, 1940
Douai Vichy
59 - Nord
May 15, 1940
Bacqueville
27 - Eure
May 19, 1940
Deauville saint-Gatien
14 - Calvados
May 21, 1940
Caen-Rocquancourt
14 - Calvados
May 22, 1940
Plancy-l'Abbaye
10 - Aube
June 9, 1940
Rhègues-Bessy
10 - Aube
June 11, 1940
Troyes
10 - Aube
June 13, 1940
Nevers Fourchambault
58 - Nièvre
June 14, 1940
Limoges
87 - Haute-Vienne
June 16, 1940
Bergerac
24 - Dordogne
June 21, 1940
Toulouse Blagnac
31 - Haute-Garonne
June 24, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GR I/14

 

 


Aircrafts

The GR I/14 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 :

  • 4 Bloch MB131
  • 9 Potez 63-11

 


Casualties

Crewmen killed
7
Captain FION (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Staff-Sergeant BOUVRY (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Sergeant RAYAT (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Master-Corporal MARTELLIERE (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Lieutenant KERVELLA (Combat)
May 14, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant FOURNIER (Combat)
June 14, 1940
Sergeant DE-QUILLAC (Combat)
June 14, 1940
Crewmen injured
7
Sergeant TRUSSON (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Staff-Sergeant LACAILLE (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Sergeant CASTRES (Combat)
May 15, 1940
Lieutenant DELAUNAY (Combat)
May 15, 1940
Sergeant PARMENTIER (Combat)
May 17, 1940
Adjutant PRUAL (Combat)
June 13, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant MOREAUX (Combat)
June 14, 1940
Crewmen prisoners
2
Lieutenant DELAUNAY
May 15, 1940
Captain d'HENNEZEL
May 17, 1940

 


Sources

- Mr Jean-Jacques LEGRAND: Warrant Officer Roland MALHERBE was his Grandfather.
- Mr Hervé CASTRE : Sergeant Daniel CASTRE was his Father.
- 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 Mr Jacqueline and Paul MARTIN - Editions Aéro-Editions
- ...