 |
Site in French
|
|
Historical
On the date of the outbreak
of the German attack of May 10, 1940, the GR I / 52 is attached
to the 3rd Air Division of the "Air Forces Reserves" of
the ZOAE (East Air Operations Area).
The GR I / 52 is first dissolved
after the Armistice, before being reformed in September 1940. It
is one of three Recognition Groups equipped with Potez 63-11 to
be based overseas
Staff
|
Commanders
of the group
GR I/52
|
| Captain
POINSOT |
|
|
|
|
Captain
MASSIE Roger
|
|
|
|
| Lieutenant-Colonel
DE-VITROLLES René |
October
1939
|
April
1940
|
|
|
Commander
FAYE
|
April
1940
|
May
7, 1940
|
|
|
Commander
MARTRE Marcel
|
May 8,
1940
|
|
|
|
Commander
of the 1st Squadron
|
|
Lieutenant
BERTAUX
|
|
June
2, 1940
|
|
|
Lieutenant
LAYEC Gilbert
|
June
3, 1940
|
|
|
|
Commander
of the 2nd Squadron
|
| Lieutenant
GUILLOCHON |
|
|
|
|
Lieutenant
FOURQUET Michel
|
|
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Personnel
|
Pilots
and crew of the Group
|
|
Names
of crew members
|
Rank
|
Function
|
Sqn.
|
Informations
|
Civil
Statut
|
Photos
|
Citations
|
| BARBIER
Léo |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
|
On
March 24th, 1940, the Potez 637 No.36 is shot down during a
fight opposing it to 4 Me109. The plane crashes to the ground.
Adjutant BARBIER is injured |
|
|
|
| BERTAUX
Maurice |
Captain
|
Pilot
|
EM 1st
Sqn.
|
On
June 2, 1940, during a test flight, Bloch MB 174 No.29 went
into a spin and crashed to the ground. The crew was killed. |
|
|
|
| BIOUSSE
Henri |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BLANCHOT
Hubert |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Mécanicien
|
1st Sqn.
|
On
June 2, 1940, during a test flight, Bloch MB 174 No.29 went
into a spin and crashed to the ground. The crew was killed. |
|
|
|
| BOULAY |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
May
7, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.40 crashes shortly after takeoff. The
aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unscathed. |
|
|
|
| BRABANT
Roger |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
May
13, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.11 is shot down by 3 Me109. The crew
is killed. |
|
|
|
| BRARD
Raymond |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
|
On
September 26, 1939, the Potez 637 No.46 is shot down by German
fighters and the Flak. Adjutant BRARD wounded, parachute but
is taken prisoner, |
|
|
|
| BRUGEROLLES
Elie |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
On
March 24th, 1940, the Potez 637 No.36 is shot down during a
fight opposing it to 4 Me109. The plane crashes to the ground.
Sub-Lieutenant BRUGEROLLES is killed. |
|
|
|
| BRUNERIE
Roger |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
On
May 25, 1940, returning from a night mission, the Potez 637
No.35 crashes on landing. Sub-Lieutenant BRUNERIE, injured,
is the only survivor. |
|
|
|
| BUTZ
Paul |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
On
May 25, 1940, returning from a night mission, the Potez 637
No.35 crashes on landing. Staff Sergeant BUTZ is killed. |
|
|
|
| CAMPMAS |
Master-Corporal
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CANONNE |
Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
|
On
September 6, 1939, returning from a night mission in bad weather,
the Potez 637 No.47 must land in the campaign on the belly and
is destroyed.The crew is unscathed. |
|
|
|
| CARLIER |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CHAMPEAUX
Eugène |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
|
Sub-Lieutenant
CHAMPEAUX will be killed on 30/12/1941 in Rabat (Morocco) during
the test of a Glenn Martin 167F |
|
|
|
| CUGNOT
Georges |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
|
|
|
|
|
| DENAIN
Jacques |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
|
Jacques
DENAIN is one of the sons of General DENAIN, former Minister
of Air. He wanted his two sons to fight in the GR I/52: the
two brothers were killed 12 days apart .
- May 7, 1940, Bloch
MB174 No.40 crashes shortly after takeoff. The aircraft is
destroyed, but the crew is unscathed.
- May 13, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.11 is shot down by 3 Me109.
The crew is killed.
|
|
|
|
| DENAIN
Jean |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
|
JEAN
DENAIN is one of the sons of General DENAIN, former Minister
of Air. He wanted his two sons to fight in the GR I/52: the
two brothers were killed 12 days apart .
On May 25, 1940, returning
from a night mission, the Potez 637 No.35 crashes on landing.
Staff Sergeant DENAIN is killed.
|
|
|
|
| DE-VITROLLES
René |
Lieutenant-Colonel
|
Observer
|
Staff
Group
|
On
March 16, 1940, the Potez 637 is hit by the flak during a low-altitude
mission. The Pilot being wounded, it is the Lieutenant-Colonel
DE-VITROLLES who thanks to the double-orders, succeeds to return
and to land without encumbrance on his ground. |
|
|
|
| DU
TERTRE |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
On
September 6, 1939, returning from a night mission in bad weather,
the Potez 637 No.47 must land in the campaign on the belly and
is destroyed.The crew is unscathed. |
|
|
|
| DUMAS
Serge |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
On
March 24th, 1940, the Potez 637 No.36 is shot down during a
fight opposing it to 4 Me109. The plane crashes to the ground
Sergeant DUMAS badly wounded, will die soon after. |
|
|
|
| FAYE |
Commander
|
Observer
|
Staff
Group
|
May
7, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.40 crashes shortly after takeoff. The
aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unharmed, Commander FAYE
being slightly injured. |
|
|
|
| FEVRIER
Jules |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
|
On
April 20, 1940, his aircraft, the Bloch MB174 No.31 is shot
down by German Fighters. The crew is killed |
|
|
|
| FOURQUET
Michel |
Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
EM 2nd
Sqn.
|
|
|
|
|
| FULCRAND
Jean |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
-
Le 19 Mai 1940, le Bloch MB174 n° 8 est abattu par la chasse
Allemande et s'écrase au sol.L'équipage est tué. |
|
|
|
| GABRY
Roger |
Captain
|
Pilot
|
|
Assigned to the CIR
of Rennes from 9 September 1939 to 7 June 1940, he joined
the GR I/52 on 11 June 1940 as Deputy Commander of the Group.
When the Group was dissolved at the end of 1942, he joined
the GR I/22.
He was killed by accident in July 1943 in Morocco during a
test of a Douglas DB7
|
Born 23 June 1911 in
Bougemont (25 - Doubs)
Died on 10 July 1943 at Khemisset, Morocco)
|
|
|
| GRAND
Marie |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
|
-
Le 19 Mai 1940, le Bloch MB174 n° 8 est abattu par la chasse
Allemande et s'écrase au sol.L'équipage est tué. |
|
|
|
| GUILLOCHON |
Lieutenant
|
|
EM 2nd
Sqn.
|
|
|
|
|
| GUYOT |
Chief-Warrant-Officer
|
Pilot
|
|
|
|
|
|
| HEILTZ
Erwing |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
On
September 26, 1939, the Potez 637 No.46 is shot down by German
Fighters and the Flak. Sergeant HEILTZ is killed at his machine-gunner
position by the Me109. |
|
|
|
| HUBIN
Lucien |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
1st Sqn.
|
On
June 2, 1940, during a test flight, Bloch MB 174 No.29 went
into a spin and crashed to the ground. The crew was killed. |
|
|
|
| HURTEVENT |
Chief-Warrant-Officer
|
Observer
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LABOURDETTE
Alexis |
Adjutant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
May
13, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.11 is shot down by 3 Me109. The crew
is killed. |
|
|
|
| LAGARDE
René |
Chief
Warrant Officer
|
Observer
|
|
On
September 26, 1939, the Potez 637 No.46 is shot down by German
Fighters and the Flak. Chief Warrant Officer LAGARDE parachutes,
but too low and kills himself when he gets to the ground. |
|
|
|
| LANEUZE
Pierre |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
On
April 20, 1940, his aircraft, the Bloch MB174 No.31 is shot
down by German Fighters. The crew is killed |
|
|
|
| LAYEC
Gilbert |
Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
EM 1st
Sqn.
|
-
On March 16, 1940, the Potez 637 is hit by the flak during a
low-altitude mission. The Lieutenant LAYEC being wounded, it
is the Observer who thanks to the double-commands, succeeds
to return and to land without encumbrance on his ground.
- June 15, 1940, his camera, a Bloch MB 174 is damaged by the
Flak, but he manages to bring it back to the ground. Lieutenant
LAYEC is unharmed. |
|
|
|
| LE-SAOULT
Henri |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
|
-
On October 3, 1939, Potez 637 No.39 was badly damaged by the
Flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot managed to join
the French lines, but crashed on landing. The crew is unscathed.
- December 21, 1939, the Potez 637 No.41 is shot down by German
Fighters and crushes on the ground. The crew is killed |
|
|
|
| MARTRE
Marcel |
Commander
|
Observer
|
Staff
Group
|
June
15, 1940, his camera, a Bloch MB 174 is damaged by the Flak,
but he manages to bring it back to the ground. Captain MARTRE
is injured |
|
|
|
| MASSIE
Roger |
Captain
|
Observer
|
Staff
Group
|
|
|
|
|
| MELOT
jean |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
-
On September 6, 1939, returning from a night mission in bad
weather, the Potez 637 No.47 must land in the campaign on the
belly and is destroyed.The crew is unscathed.
- On October 3, 1939, Potez 637 No.39 was badly damaged by the
Flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot managed to join
the French lines, but crashed on landing. The crew is unscathed
- On December 21, 1939, Potez 637 No.41 was shot down by German
fighters and crashed to the ground. The crew is killed |
|
|
|
| MOUGEL
Paulin |
Chief
Warrant Officer
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
-
Injured during an air fight on September 9, 1939
- On April 20, 1940, his aircraft, the Bloch MB174 No.31 is
shot down by German Fighters. The crew is killed |
|
|
|
| POINSOT |
Captain
|
|
Staff
Group
|
|
|
|
|
| POULARD |
|
|
|
Engaged
in the Resistance (Alliance Réseau) under the pseudonym
"Mathurin", he was shot by the Germans. |
|
|
|
| RAGUANT |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
On
March 16, 1940, the Potez 637 is hit by the flak during a low-altitude
mission. The Pilot being injured, it is the Observer who thanks
to the double-controls, manages to return and land safely on
his ground. Staff-Sergeant RAGUANT is unharmed. |
|
|
|
| ROZES
Paul |
Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RUAS
|
Capiain
|
Observer
|
|
Artillery
Detached Observer
|
|
|
|
| VERON
Adrien |
Chief
Warrant Officer
|
Observer
|
|
-
On October 3, 1939, Potez 637 No.39 was badly damaged by the
Flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot managed to join
the French lines, but crashed on landing. The crew is unscathed
- December 21, 1939, the Potez 637 No.41 is shot down by the
hunt and crushes on the ground. The crew is killed |
|
|
|
| ZINCK
Emile |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
May
19, 1940, the Bloch MB174 No.8 is shot down by German Fighters
and crushes on the ground. The crew is killed. |
|
|
|
Stories
of crews
|
Crews
of Group
|
|
Names
of crew members
|
Rank
|
Function
|
Informations
|
|
Crew
|
BERTAUX |
Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
Potez
637 n°45 |
| CARLIER |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
|
Crew
|
CANONNE |
Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
Potez
637 n°47 :Aircraft accident, placed on the stomach
on September 6, 1939 |
| DU
TERTRE |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
| MELOT |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
BRARD |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
Potez
637 n°46 : Destroyed in air combat on September
26, 1939. Chief Warrant Officer LAGARDE and Sergeant HEILTZ
are killed. Adjutant BRARD wounded is taken prisoner |
| LAGARDE
René |
Chief
Warrant Officer
|
Observer
|
| HEILTZ
Erwing |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
LE-SAOULT
Henri |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
Potez 637 n°
39 : Destroyed by the Flak on October 3, 1939. The
crew is unscathed
|
| VERON
Adrien |
Chief
Warrant Officer
|
Observer
|
| MELOT
jean |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
LE-SAOULT
Henri |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
Potez 637 n°
41 : Shot down by German Fighters December 21, 1939.
The crew is killed
|
| VERON
Adrien |
Chief
Warrant Officer
|
Observer
|
| MELOT
jean |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
LAYEC |
Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
Potez
637 n° ? : Damaged March 16, 1940. The wounded Pilot,
it is the Lieutenant-Colonel DE-VITROLLES who manages to bring
back the Aircraft thanks to the double-command |
| DE-VITROLLES
René |
Lieutenant-Colonel
|
Observer
|
| RAGUANT |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
BARBIER |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
Potez
637 n° 36 : Shot down by BF109E on March 24, 1940.
Sergeant DUMAS and Sub-Lieutenant BRUGEROLLES are killed. Adjutant
BARBIER is injured |
| BRUGEROLLES
Elie |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
| DUMAS
Serge |
Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
FEVRIER
Jules |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
Bloch
MB174 n° 31 : Shot down in aerial combat by a BF109E
patrol on April 20, 1940. Crew killed |
| LANEUZE
Pierre |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
| MOUGEL
Paulin |
Chief
Warrant Officer
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
DENAIN |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
Bloch
MB174 n° 40 :Destroyed by accident at take off on
May 7, 1940. The crew is unharmed, except Commander FAYE who
is slightly injured |
| FAYE |
Commander
|
Observer
|
| BOULAY |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
DENAIN
Jacques |
Adjutant
|
Pilot
|
Bloch
MB174 n° 11 : Shot down in air combat on May 13,
1940. The crew is killed. |
| BRABANT
Roger |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
| LABOURDETTE
Alexis |
Adjutant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
CUGNOT |
Sergent
|
Pilote
|
Bloch
MB174 : Attacked by Messerschmitt BF109s, the crew managed
to shoot down one aircraft and damage another. The aircraft
returned to the field heavily damaged, but the crew was unharmed |
| CHAMPEAUX
Eugène |
Sous-Lieutenant
|
Observateur
|
| CAMPMAS |
Caporal-Chef
|
Mitrailleur
|
|
Crew
|
GRAND
Marie |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
Bloch
MB174 n° 8 : Shot down in air combat on May 19,
1940. The crew is killed. |
| FULCRAND
Jean |
Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
| ZINCK
Emile |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
DENAIN
Jean |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Pilot
|
Potez
637 n° 35 : Crashes when landing on May 25, 1940,
returning from a night flight. Staff-Sergeants DENAIN and BUTZ
are killed. The Sub-Lieutenant BRUNERIE is injured. |
| BRUNERIE |
Sub-Lieutenant
|
Observer
|
| BUTZ
Paul |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
BERTAUX
Maurice |
Captain
|
Pilot
|
Bloch
MB 174 n° 29 : Destroyed by accident on June 2,
1940. The crew is killed. |
| BLANCHOT
Hubert |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Mechanic
|
| HUBIN
Lucien |
Staff-Sergeant
|
Machine-Gunner
|
|
Crew
|
LAYEC |
Lieutenant
|
Pilot
|
Bloch
MB 174 n° ? : Damaged by Flak on June 15, 1940.
Captain MARTRE is injured |
| MARTRE |
Captain
|
Observer
|
Airfield
|
Airfields
|
Period
of use of airfields
|
|
Names
|
County
|
| Nancy-Azelot |
54
- Meurthe et Moselle
|
August
28, 1939
|
| Chaumont
Semoutiers |
52
- Haute-Marne
|
August
31, 1939
|
| Auzainvilliers |
88
- Vosges
|
September
17, 1939
|
| Saint-Dizier |
52
- Haute-Marne
|
April
2, 1940
|
| Feurs |
42
- Loire
|
May
11, 1940
|
| Châtillon-Sur-Seine |
21
- Côte d'Or
|
June
11, 1940
|
| Bourges
Le Subdray |
18
- Cher
|
June
13, 1940
|
| Limoges
/ Bergerac |
87
- Haute-vienne
|
June
16, 1940
|
| Lézignan |
11
- Aude
|
June
19, 1940
|
| Perpignan
/ Alger |
66
- Pyrénées orientales
Algérie
|
June
20, 1940
|
| Oran
La-Sénia |
Algérie
|
June
22, 1940
|
| Oulad-Okba |
Maroc
|
June
23, 1940
|
|
|
Click
on the map to enlarge
:
|
|
|
Aircrafts
The GR I/52 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 :
- 8 Potez 637
- 2 Potez 63-11
- 7 Bloch MB174
Casualties
|
Crewmen
killed
|
21
|
|
Chief
Warrant Officer LAGARDE (Combat)
|
September
26, 1939
|
|
Sergeant
HEILTZ (Combat)
|
September
26, 1939
|
|
Chief
Warrant Officer VERON (Combat)
|
December
21, 1939
|
|
Adjutant
LE SAOULT (Combat)
|
December
21, 1939
|
|
Staff-Sergeant
MELOT (Combat)
|
December
21, 1939
|
|
Sub-Lieutenant
BRUGEROLLES (Combat)
|
March
24, 1940
|
|
Sergeant
DUMAS (Combat)
|
March
24, 1940
|
|
Sub-Lieutenant
LANEUZE (Combat)
|
April
20, 1940
|
|
Sub-Lieutenant
FEVRIER (Combat)
|
April
20, 1940
|
|
Chief
Warrant Officer MOUGEL (Combat)
|
April
20, 1940
|
|
Lieutenant
BRABANT (Combat)
|
May 13,
1940
|
|
Adjutant
DENAIN (Combat)
|
May 13,
1940
|
|
Adjutant
LABOURDETTE (Combat)
|
May 13,
1940
|
|
Lieutenant
FULCRAND (Combat)
|
May 19,
1940
|
|
Staff-Sergeant
GRAND (Combat)
|
May 19,
1940
|
|
Staff-Sergeant
ZINCK (Combat)
|
May 19,
1940
|
|
Staff-Sergeant
DENAIN (Accident)
|
May 25,
1940
|
|
Staff-Sergeant
BUTZ (Accident)
|
May 25,
1940
|
|
Captain
BERTAUX (Accident)
|
June
2, 1940
|
|
Staff-Sergeant
HUBIN (Accident)
|
June
2, 1940
|
|
Staff-Sergeant
BLANCHOT (Accident)
|
June
2, 1940
|
|
Crewmen
injured
|
7
|
|
Adjutant
MOUGEL (Combat)
|
September
9, 1939
|
|
Adjutant
BRARD (Combat)
|
September
26, 1939
|
|
Lieutenant
LAYEC (Combat)
|
March
16, 1940
|
|
Adjutant
BARBIER (Combat)
|
March
24, 1940
|
|
Commander
FAYE (Accident)
|
May 7,
1940
|
|
Sub-Lieutenant
BRUNERIE (Accident)
|
May 25,
1940
|
|
Captain
MARTRE (Combat)
|
June
15, 1940
|
|
Crewmen
prisoners
|
1
|
| Adjutant
BRARD |
26 septembre
1939
|
Sources
- Mr Thierry CUGNOT : Staff-Sergeant
Georges CUGNOT was his Father
- Mr Joel GARRON : Captain
Roger GABRY was his maternal grandfather
- 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
- ...
|
