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Reconnaissance Group GR I/35
1st Squadron
2nd Squadron


Historical

On May 10, 1940, the GR I / 35 is attached to the 7th Army of the 1st Air Division of the ZOAN (North Air Operations Area).

 


Staff

Commanders of the group GR I/35
Commander SOURNIA
early 1939
May 8, 1940
 
Commander DEPREZ Jean
May 8, 1940
 
Commander of the 1st Squadron
Captain NEUVILLE
 
Commander of the 2nd Squadron
Captain ROBERT

June 4, 1940
 
Other Members of the Military Staff
Captain AUBERT
Deputy Group Commander
   
Lieutenant BOURGEAT
Head of the Radio 35102 Section attached to the GR I/35.
 
Lieutenant CELLARD
Head of Section Photo 7/105 attached to GR I/35.
 
Lieutenant FRANQUE
Doctor
   
Lieutenant GOY
Mechanical Officer
   
Sub-Lieutenant LANOY
Administrative Section Commander
   
Captain MONIGARD
2nd Deputy Group Commander from March 1940.
   

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil Statut
Photos
Citations
ALLAIRE Robert
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Assigned to GR I/35 on May 28, 1940 from GAO 516.
On June 16, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.610 was shot down in a fight against 27 Me109 ... The aircraft crashes into German territory and the crew Wounded, is initially taken prisoner, but will succeed to escape on June 18th.
     
ARIS
Sergeant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
On February 24, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.2 crashes on the ground during a flying flight during a ferry mission. The crew is injured
     
AUBERT
Captain
Assistant to the Group Commander
Staff Group
     
BAIL Albert
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
On March 21, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.255 crashes after an engine failure. The crew is killed
     
BALIGANT
Staff-Sergeant
Observer
     
BAUDENON
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine Gunner
     
BAUDIN
Sergeant
Pilot
Joined the Group on June 1, 1940 with Bloch MB174 No.13
     
BIENVAULT
Lieutenant
Pilot
2nd Sqn.
     
BLIN
Lieutenant
     
BOIRE
Adjutant
     
BONNEVAL
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
     
BOULLE
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
     
CHAILA Georges
Captain
Observer
Observer Officer seconded to the Group on September 9, 1940      
CHALARD Michel
Sergeant
Pilot
     
CHAPAT Jean
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
1st Sqn.
On May 23, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No.402 is attacked by Me109. The pilot manages to return to the field. but Staff Sergeant CHAPAT was killed during the fight.
     
CHAPUIS Emile
Sergeant
Electrician
1st Sqn.
On October 31, 1939, Bloch 131 No.73 crashed during a field test at Dole. The crew is injured.
     
CHARRIER
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
     
CHATILLON Lucien
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
On June 8, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.691 was shot down by the Flak while strafing a group of German armored vehicles. The plane must land in the countryside. The crew is unscathed.
     
CHEVASSUS Raoul
Adjutant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
On October 31, 1939, Bloch 131 No.73 crashed during a field test at Dole. Adjutant CHEVASSUS, wounded, will not return to the Group: He joins the Officers School of Active for which he was admitted.
     
CHOULET
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
     
CORNU
Sergeant
Observer
     
DALEMONT Bruno
Lieutenant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
Joined the Group in September 1939.
One of the first pilots transformed on Potez 63-11
     
DE-BERNARDY Bruno
Adjutant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
On May 23, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No.402 is attacked by Me109. Adjutant DE-BERNARDY, unscathed, managed to return to the field, but the gunner was killed during the fight.
     
DELACOUR
Sergeant
Pilot
     
DELAITRE Marcel
Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group at the beginning of April 1940 from GAO544
     
DE-MARQUEYRE
Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group on April 1, 1940.
Left the Group on May 5th to join GR II/14
     
DE-PONTAC
Lieutenant
Observer
Observer Officer seconded to the Group on September 9, 1940
Leaves the Group on May 15th to join GR II/33
     
DEPREZ Jean
Commander
Staff Group
     
DORIZON
Chief Warrant Officer
     
DUPONT
Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group on June 1, 1940 with Bloch MB174 No.54
     
FILLIATRE
Staff-Sergeant
     
GABRIEL
Captain
Observer
Observer Officer detached to the Group on September 9, 1940      
GALY Albert
Lieutenant
Observer
Observer Officer detached to the Group on September 9, 1940
On May 25, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.265 was shot down by the Flak and crashed to the ground. The crew is killed.
     
GAULMIN
Sergeant
Pilot
Joined the Group on June 1, 1940 with Bloch MB174 No.54
     
GELAS
Lieutenant
Observer
Assigned to the GR I/35 on June 23, 1940 from a GAO      
HENRY Pierre
Adjutant
Pilot
     
HUGOT
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group on April 1, 1940
     
JANNIN Jean
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
2nd Sqn.
His aircraft, Potez 63-11 No.620, was shot down during an air fight against 3 Me109 on June 4, 1940. Adjutant JANIN was seriously injured.
     
JOLIVET
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine Gunner
     
JONVILLE Louis
Lieutenant
Observer
Observer Officer detached to the Group on September 9, 1940
     
KESSLER
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
     
LAMY François
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
2nd Sqn.
On May 12, 1940, Potez 63-11 No.317 was assaulted by 9 Me109 and crashed to the ground before igniting. The crew is injured.
     
LANDRY
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
     
LANVARIO Jean
Sergeant
Pilot
     
LARPENT Serge
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
2nd Sqn.
From GAO 544.
His aircraft, Potez 63-11 No.620, was shot down during an air fight against 3 Me109 on June 4, 1940. Sub Lieutenant LARPENT was killed.
     
LECOMTE
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
     
LEGENDRE
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Joined the Group on June 1, 1940 with Bloch MB174 No.13
     
LEVAILLANT
Sergeant
Observer
     
LUTHEREAU Alphonse
Lieutenant
Observer
Observer detached to the Group on August 26, 1939..
     
MARCHAL
Adjutant
Observer
     
MATHELIN Roger
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On June 7, 1940, Potez 63-11 No.827 was shot down by German fighters and crashed into flames on the ground. The crew is killed.
     
MEYZONADE
Captain
Observer
Observer Officer detached to the Group on September 9, 1940
     
MOLLIERE
Adjutant
Pilot
     
MONIGARD Henri
Captain
Pilot and 2nd Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer
On June 8, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.691 was shot down by the Flak while strafing a group of German armored vehicles. The plane must land in the countryside. The crew is unscathed.
     
MONTANTEME Georges
Lieutenant
Observer
On June 8, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.691 was shot down by the Flak while strafing a group of German armored vehicles. The plane must land in the countryside. The crew is unscathed.
     
MOREAU
Sergeant
Pilot
     
NEUVILLE
Captain
Observer
Staff 1st Sqn.
On May 23, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No.402 is attacked by Me109. The pilot managed to return to the field, however. Captain NEUVILLE is unharmed, but the gunner was killed during the fight.
     
NICOULAUD
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Left the Group on May 5th to join GR II/14
     
PANEBOEUF René
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
On May 25, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.265 was shot down by the Flak and crashed to the ground. The crew is killed.
     
PERRAUD
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
     
PIET
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
1st Sqn.
     
PLOYE René
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Assigned to GR I/35 on June 1st 1940 from GAO II/551. He brings back with him the second Bloch 174 of the Group: n°54.
On June 16, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.610 was shot down in a fight against 27 Me109 ... The aircraft crashes into German territory and the crew Wounded, is initially taken prisoner, but will succeed to escape on June 18th.
     
PONT
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
Assigned to the GR I/35 from the GAO516
     
POYEN Jean
Chief-Warrant-Officer
Machine-Gunner
       
PRAS
Sergeant
Pilot
     
PRINI Marc
Sergeant
Pilot
On June 7, 1940, Potez 63-11 No.827 was shot down by German fighters and crashed into flames on the ground. The crew is killed.
     
RABUEL
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
     
RAVIER
Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group on June 1, 1940 with Bloch MB174 No.13
     
REGIS Pierre
Lieutenant
Observer
Assigned to GR I/35 on May 26, 1940 from GAO 516.
On June 7, 1940, Potez 63-11 No.827 was shot down by German fighters and crashed into flames on the ground. The crew is killed.
     
RENARD
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
2nd Sqn.
     
RETRU Ernest
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
     
REYTER
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Leave the Group to join the ECN II/Mechanic13 where he will be killed in action May 27, 1940
     
ROBERT Jean
Captain
Pilot
Staff 2nd Sqn.
His aircraft, Potez 63-11 No.620, was shot down during an air fight against 3 Me109 on June 4, 1940. Captain ROBERT was killed.
     
SCHAUFELBERGER
Lieutenant
Observer
1st Sqn.
On February 24, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.2 crashes on the ground during a flying flight during a ferry mission. The crew is injured
     
SERPOL
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
     
SERVONNET
Corporal
Machine Gunner
     
SICARD Jean
Adjutant
Mechanic
On March 21, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.255 crashes after an engine failure. The crew is killed
     
SORDET
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
2nd Sqn.
On May 12, 1940, Potez 63-11 No.317 was assaulted by 9 Me109 and crashed to the ground before igniting. The crew is injured.
     
SOREL Louis
Lieutenant
Observer
On March 21, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.255 crashes after an engine failure. The crew is killed
     
SOURNIA
Commander
Staff Group
     
THEVENIN Robert
Sergeant
Mechanic
1st Sqn.
On October 31, 1939, Bloch 131 No.73 crashed during a field test at Dole. The crew is injured.
     
THOMAS Georges
Corporal
Machine Gunner
On October 31, 1939, Bloch 131 No.73 crashed during a field test at Dole. The crew is injured.
     
TOMASI
Sergeant
� Radio
1st Sqn.
On February 24, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.2 crashes on the ground during a flying flight during a ferry mission. The crew is injured
     
TONI Charles
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group on April 1, 1940 ..
On June 16, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.610 was shot down in a fight against 27 Me109 ... The aircraft crashes into German territory and the crew Wounded, is initially taken prisoner, but will succeed to escape on June 18th.
     
TRIOL
Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group on May 28, 1940 from GAO516
     
TROUILLOT
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
     
VALETTE Marcel
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On May 25, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.265 was shot down by the Flak and crashed to the ground. The crew is killed.
     
VANARET Georges
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
2nd Sqn.
On May 12, 1940, Potez 63-11 No.317 was assaulted by 9 Me109 and crashed to the ground before igniting. The crew is injured.
     
VECTEN
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Assigned to GR I/35 on May 28, 1940 from GAO 516.
     
VEDEL
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
Joined the Group on April 1, 1940.      
VIGNERON
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Left the Group on May 5th to join GR II/14
     
WEIL Jacques
Captain
Observer
Observer Officer detached to the Group on September 9, 1940
     

 

 


Mechanics

Group Mechanics
Name
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Photo
BARTHES
Sergeant
Mechanic
 
BARTHOD
Adjutant
Armament Mechanic
 
BERGER
Sergeant
General Service
 
BESILLAT
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
  Taken prisoner on May 21, 1940, during the attack by German troops on the transition echelon.
BLANC
Sergeant
General Service
     
BONNET
Adjutant
Mechanic
 
BOUILLIN
Sergeant
Mechanic
 
BUISSON
Sergeant
Mechanic
 
CHAPUIS
Sergeant
Electric mechanics
 
COGOLUENHES
Sergeant
Mechanic
 
DORIZON
Chief-Warrant Officer
Mechanic
 
DURET
Sergeant
General Service
 
DURIEZ
Master-Corporal
Mechanic
   
DURSAPT
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
   
DYOT
Sergeant
Mechanic
 
EME
Staff-Sergeant
General Service
 
ENCRENAZ
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
 
FAURE
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
 
FILLIATRE
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
 
FOND
Sergeant
Equipment mechanic
  Killed on June 3, 1940, during the bombardment of the airfield of Mantes-Gassicourt by the Germans.
GAY
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
 
GIRER-REY
Corporal
Mechanic
   
JAMET
Sergeant
Mechanic
 
LARDEUR
Adjutant
Mechanic
     
LEDUC
Sergeant
Mechanic
     
LE-GOAS
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
Taken prisoner on May 21, 1940, during the attack by German troops on the transition echelon.  
LE-ROCH
Sergeant
Mechanic
     
LUCAS
Sergeant
Mechanic
     
MAIZIER
Sergeant
General Service
     
MARTIN
Sergeant
Armament Mechanic
     
MILLER
Master-Corporal
Mechanic
     
PINARD
Adjutant
Mechanic
     
PROTON
Sergeant
Mechanic
     
ROY Maurice
Sergeant
Mechanic
     
SALOMON
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
     
SICARD
Adjutant
Mechanic
  Killed on March 21, 19340, in the accident of Potez 63-11 n°255 which crashed following an engine failure.  
THEVENIN
Sergeant
Mechanic
  Seriously injured on October 31, 1939 in the accident of bloch MB131 No. 73, he did not join the Group until December 1939.  

 


Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Informations
Crew
CHEVASSUS Raoul
Adjutant
Pilot
Bloch 131 n° 73 :Crashes during a Dole field test on October 31, 1939. The crew is injured.
THEVENIN Robert
Sergeant
Mechanic
CHAPUIS Emile
Sergeant
Electrician
THOMAS Georges
Corporal
Machine Gunner
Crew
ARIS
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 2 : Destroyed by accident on February 24, 1940: he crashes on the ground in low flight. The crew is injured
SCHAUFELBERGER
Lieutenant
Observer
TOMASI
Sergeant
� Radio
Crew
BAIL Albert
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 255 : Destroyed by accident (engine failure) on March 21, 1940. The crew is killed
SOREL Louis
Lieutenant
Observer
SICARD Jean
Adjutant
Mechanic
Crew
SORDET
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 317 : Destroyed in air combat on May 12, 1940. The crew is wounded.
LAMY
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
VANARET
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
DE-BERNARDY
Adjutant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 402: Attacked by BF109E May 23, 1940, the pilot managed to bring him back to the field, but Staff-Sergeant CHAPAT is killed.
NEUVILLE
Captain
Observer
CHAPAT Jean
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
PANEBOEUF René
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 265 : Shot down by the Flak on May 25, 1940. The crew is killed.
GALY Albert
Lieutenant
Observer
VALETTE Marcel
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
ROBERT Jean
Captain
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 620 : Shot down by German fighters on 4 June 1940. Lieutenant LARPENT and Captain ROBERT are killed. Adjutant JANNIN is seriously injured.
LARPENT Serge
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
JANNIN
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
Crew
PRINI Marc
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 827 : Shot down by German fighters on June 7, 1940. The crew is killed.
REGIS Pierre
Lieutenant
Observer
MATHELIN Roger
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
MONIGARD
Captain
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 691 : Shot by Flak on June 8, 1940: the crew is unscathed.
MONTANTEME Georges
Lieutenant
Observer
CHATILLON
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
Crew
ALLAIRE Robert
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 610 : Shot down by German fighters June 16, 1940: the crew is wounded.
TONI Charles
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
PLOYE René
Sergeant
Machine Gunner

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Lons-Le-Saulnier Courlaoux
39 - Jura
August 28, 1939
Dôle Tavaux
39 - Jura
September 3, 1939
Calais Marck
62 - Pas de Calais
November 13, 1939
Saint-Omer Longuenesse
62 - Pas de Calais
December 21, 1939
Mantes Gassicourt
78 - Yvelines
May 20, 1940
Champeaux
77 - Seine et Marne
June 9, 1940
Voves Baignolet
28 - Eure et Loir
June 11, 1940
Romorantin
41 - Loir et Cher
June 14, 1940
Jonzac
17 - Charente-Maritime
June 17, 1940
Perpignan La Salanque
66 - Pyrénées-Orientales
June 19, 1940
Alger Maison-blanche
Algeria
June 20, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GR I/35

 


Aircrafts

The GR I/35 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 :

  • 9 Bloch MB131
  • 36 Potez 63-11
  • 3 Bloch MB174


Casualties

Crewmen killed
12
Lieutenant SOREL (Accident)
March 21, 1940
Staff-Sergeant BAIL (Accident)
March 21, 1940
Adjutant SICARD (Accident)
March 21, 1940
Staff-Sergeant CHAPAT (Combat)
May 23, 1940
Lieutenant GALY (Combat)
May 25, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant PANEBOEUF (Combat)
May 25, 1940
Staff-Sergeant VALETTE (combat)
May 25, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant LARPENT (Combat)
June 4, 1940
Captain ROBERT (Combat)
June 4, 1940
Lieutenant REGIS (Combat)
June 7, 1940
Sergeant PRINI (Combat)
June 7, 1940
Sergeant MATHELIN (Combat)
June 7, 1940
Crewmen injured
14
Adjutant CHEVASSUS (Accident)
October 31, 1939
Sergeant THEVENIN (Accident)
October 31, 1939
Sergeant CHAPUIS (Accident)
October 31, 1939
Corporal THOMAS (Accident)
October 31, 1939
Lieutenant SCHAUFELBERGER (Accident)
February 24, 1940
Sergeant ARIS (Accident)
February 24, 1940
Sergeant TOMASI (Accident)
February 24, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant LAMY (Combat)
May 12, 1940
Staff-Sergeant SORDET (Combat)
May 12, 1940
Staff-Sergeant VANARET (Combat)
May 12, 1940
Adjutant JANNIN (Combat)
June 4, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant ALLAIRE (Combat)
June 16, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant TONI (Combat)
June 16, 1940
Sergeant PLOYE (Combat)
June 16, 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 Mr Jacqueline and Paul MARTIN - Editions Aéro-Editions
- Book : "L'Oeil de la 7eme Armée - Le Groupe de Reconnaissance I/35 dans la Campagne de l'Ouest - 1939-1940" by Mr Franck POIRE - Editions LELA Presse
- ...