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Reconnaissance Group GR II/22
3rd Squadron
4th Squadron


Historical

Originally, the 22nd Wing was a Bombing Wing stationed on the Chartres field and composed of GB I/22 and GB II/22. On September 18, 1936, 22nd Wing left Chartres for Orléans-Bricy. The two Squadrons flew on Amiot 143.
On February 13, 1939, 22nd Bombing Wing changed its speciality and became a Reconnaissance unit. GB I/22 and GB II/22 become GR I/22 and GR II/22.
On May 10, 1940, the GR II / 22 is attached to the 2nd Army of the 1st Air Division of the ZOAN (North Air Operations Area).

 


Staff

Commanders of the group GR II/22
Commander BARRUET  
Commander of the 3rd Squadron
Captain QUENET André
 
Captain FOUCHE
 
Captain SAGON Henri
June 14, 1940
 
Captain MASSONI Jean
June 15, 1940
 
Commander of the 4th Squadron
Captain CAROL

July 1939
 
Lieutenant VIART Georges
July 1939
Novembre 1939
 
Captain GROYSILLIER
Novembre 1939
December 1939
 
Captain QUENET André
Decembre 1939
 
Other Members of the Military Staff
Lieutenant LASNIER-LACHAISE Officer of Intelligence then Officer of Transmission from June 2, 1940.

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil-statut
Photos
Citations
ANCET Victor - Marie
Lieutenant
Observer & Crew Chief
4th Sqn.
Assigned to the group on October 10, 1937. Transferred to GR II/14 on 5 May 1940. Born on October 5th 1911 in Saint-Jean du Gard (30 - Gard)
 
BARRUET
Commander
Staff Group
     
BARSE
Captain
Observer
On May 17, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 219, hit by the Flak, must land in the countryside where he is burned by the unharmed crew.      
BEAU
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
Received the war cross on June 6, 1940.      
BEAUVAIS
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
     
BLANCHARD
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
- January 13, 1940, Staff-Sergeant BLANCHARD is forced to evacuate in flight his aircraft, a bloch MB131 caught in the mist.He poses indeme in the countryside.
- On June 5, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°216 is shot down in a fight with the opponent at 7 Me109 and crashes. Staff-Sergeant BLANCHARD is unscathed.
Received the war cross on June 6, 1940.
   
BLANCHOT
Corporal
Machine-Gunner
On October 30, 1939, during a night reconnaissance mission, his aircraft, a Potez 63-11, hit by enemy fire, must land in open country but ended his race in a pylon: the crew is unscathed      
BOUTIN
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
         
CADOUX Gaston - Victor
Corporal
Machine-Gunner
On November 7, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n° 31, attacked by 9 Me109 must land on the belly .. Corporal CADOUX is killed during the fight. Born on May 26th 1918 in Paris 12°.    
CAROL
Captain
Staff 4th Sqn.
     
COMBES
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
         
COUDOUX Pierre - Louis
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot

On May 17, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 219, hit by the Flak, must land in the countryside where he is burned by the unharmed crew.

He later joined the Free French Forces and was killed on December 7, 1944 while serving with GB I/31.

Born on July 16, 1909 in Oran (Algeria)  
CRUTEL Robert
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
On May 17, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 219, hit by the Flak, must land in the countryside where he is burned by the unharmed crew.    
DEMIMUID Joseph
Captain
Observer
On June 5, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n° 216 was shot down during a fight with the opponent at 7 Me109 and crashed. Captain DEMIMUID is injured.    
DROUET Alfred - Ferdinand
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On May 14, 1940, returning from a mission, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n° 684 spin and crashes on landing: the crew is killed. Born on December 15, 1911 in Varaves (44 - Loire-Atlantique)  
FOUCHE
Captain
Pilot
Staff 3rd Sqn.
     
FUHRER
Sergeant
Pilot
On October 30, 1939, during a night reconnaissance mission, his aircraft, a Potez 63-11, hit by enemy fire, must land in open country but ended his race in a pylon: the crew is unscathed      
GROYSILLIER
Captain
Staff 4th Sqn.
Received the war cross on June 6, 1940.      
GUERIN Jean
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
His aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 716 was shot down by the German fighters on June 14, 1940. The crew, unscathed, was taken prisoner.    
HENON Jean - André
Lieutenant
During a mission on September 29, 1939, Lieutenant HENON died following an accidental rupture of his inhaler hose, Born on October 28th 1909 in Angoulème (16 - Charente-Maritime)    
JACOB André - Etienne
Lieutenant
Observer

Received the war cross on June 6, 1940.

He later joined the Free French Air Force and was killed on 9 Novembre 1940 near Libreville (Gabon).

Born on 14 April 1909 in Corenc (38 - Isère)    
KERBRAT Paul
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
His aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 716 was shot down by the hunt on June 14, 1940. The crew, unscathed, was taken prisoner.    
KOELTGEN
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
         
LE-BAIL Jean-Baptiste - Yves
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
- On November 7, his aircraft, Potez 63-11 n°31, attacked by 9 Me109 must land on his belly. The Chief Warrant Officer LE BAIL is unscathed
- May 14, 1940, returning from a mission, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°684 spin and crashes on landing: the crew is killed.
Born on October 6th 1907 in Alençon (61 - Orne)  
LECHEVREL Maurice - Marcel
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
- On October 30, 1939, during a night reconnaissance mission, his aircraft, a Potez 63-11, hit by enemy fire, must land in open country but ends his race in a pylon: the crew is unscathed
- On May 15, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 258 was shot down in aerial combat. The crew is killed.
Born on November 01, 1916 in Domfront (61 - Orne)  
LE-COSSEC Yves - joseph
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On May 14, 1940, returning from a mission, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°684 spin and crashes on landing: the crew is killed Born on October 30th 1910 in Plobannalec-Lesconil (29 - Finistère)    
LEMOINE Georges - Emile
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
- January 13, 1940, the Chief Warrant Officer LEMOINE is forced to evacuate in flight his aircraft, a bloch MB131 caught in the mist.Il will be injured during the jump.
- On May 15, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 258 was shot down in aerial combat. The crew is killed.
Born on July 18th 1908 in Rennes (35 - Ille et Vilaine)  
MANCERI
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
         
MARIE Pierre
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
- On November 7, his aircraft, Potez 63-11 n°31, attacked by 9 Me109 must land on the belly. The Chief Warrant Officer MARIE is unscathed.
- On January 13, 1940, the Chief Warrant Officer MARIE is forced to evacuate in flight his aircraft, a bloch MB131 caught in the mist. His parachute goes into a torch and he kills himself when he gets to the ground.
Born on June 3rd 1908 in Berchères Les Pierres (28 - Eure et Loire)    
MASSONI Jean
Captain
Observer
Staff 3rd Sqn.

From GAO I / 551

Captain MASSONI was killed by accident on October 15, 1941.

Born on March 12, 1911 in Ile Nou (New Caledonia)    
MEIGNAN
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
         
NAUREILS
Sub-Lieutenant
         
PREVOST
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
         
QUENET André - Louis
Captain
Pilot
Staff 3rd Sqn.

On October 15, 1939, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°53 was hit by the Flak and must land on the belly : the crew is unscathed.

Captain QUENET died on December 10, 1943 while serving with the Bretagne 2/20 Group of the Free French Forces.

Born on March 8th 1907 in Saint-Cyr-L'Ecole (78 - Yvelines)    
QUENOLLE René
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
On June 5, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n°216 was shot down during a fight with the opponent at 7 Me109 and crashed. Staff Sergeant QUENOLLE is seriously injured.    
RIDARD
Chief-Warrant Officer
         
RIGOLLIER Pierre
Sergeant
Radio
On January 13th, 1940, the Sergeant RIGOLLIER is forced to evacuate in flight his aircraft, a bloch MB131 taken in the haze. It lands indeme on the ground.

Received the war cross on June 6, 1940.

Sergeant RIGOLLIER was killed in a traffic accident in Germany on May 13th 1945.

Born on January 10, 1918 in Dijon (21 - Côte d'Or)    
ROPERT
Adjutant
         
SAGON Henri
Captain
Pilot
Staff 3rd Sqn.
His aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 716 was shot down by German fighters on June 14, 1940. The crew, unscathed, was taken prisoner.    
SAINT-GENIS
Lieutenant
Observer
Received the war cross on June 6, 1940.      
STEIDLE Camille
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On May 15, 1940, his aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No. 258 was shot down in aerial combat. The crew is killed. Born on January 22nd 1918 in Sarreguemines (57 - Moselle)  
TAIB
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
         
VACHETTE
Captain
Observer
         
VERLAQUE Alain
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
  Sergeant VERLAQUE was killed in aerial combat on April 18, 1943 while serving with GB I/62 of the Free French Forces. Born on the 3rd August 1919 in Saint-Nazaire (44 - Loire-Atlantique)    
VIART Georges
Lieutenant
Staff 4th Sqn.
   

 

 

Récits

Names
Photos
Descriptive
Lieutenant Victor ANCET
Source Mr Robert ANCET, Son of Lieutenant Victor ANCET.

 

 

 


Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Informations
Crew
FUHRER
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° ? : Damaged during a reconnaissance mission. He lands in the countryside but hits a pylon: the crew is unscathed
LECHEVREL
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
BLANCHOT
Corporal
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LE BAIL
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 31 : November 7th, arises on the belly following an attack by 9 BF109E. Corporal CADOUX is killed
MARIE Pierre
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
CADOUX
Corporal
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LEMOINE
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Bloch 131 n° ? : Destroyed by accident on January 13, 1940. His crew evacuated it in flight. Chief Warrant Officer MARIE is killed: his parachute is torched. Chief Warrant Officer LEMOINE is injured .. The rest of the crew is unscathed
MARIE
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
RIGOLLIER
Sergeant
Radio
BLANCHARD
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LE-BAIL Jean-Baptiste
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 684 : Destroyed by accident on May 14, 1940. The crew is killed.
DROUET Ferdinand
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
LE-COSSEC Yves
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LEMOINE Georges
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 258 : Shot down in air combat on May 15, 1940. The crew is killed.
LECHEVREL Maurice
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
STEIDLE Camille
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
COUDOUX
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 219 : Damaged by the Flak May 17, 1940, the pilot lands in the countryside where he is burned by the unharmed crew.
BARSE
Captain
Observer
CRUTEL
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
QUENOLLE
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 216 : Shot by German fighters on June 5, 1940. Captain DEMIMUID and Staff-Sergeant QUENOLLE are wounded, the latter seriously. Staff-Sergeant BLANCHARD is unscathed.
DEMIMUID
Captain
Observer
BLANCHARD
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
SAGON
Captain
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 716 : Shot by German fighters on June 14, 1940. The crew is taken prisoner
KERBRAT
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
GUERIN
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
ETAIN-ROUVRES
55 - Meuse
September 3,1939
METZ-FRESCATY
57 - Moselle
September 21,1939
CHATEL-CHeHERY
8 - Ardennes
February 23, 1940
BAR-LE-DUC VASSINCOURT
55 - Meuse
May 14,1940
BRIENNE LE CHATEAU
10 - Aube
June 12,1940
CHATILLON SUR SEINE
21 - Côte d'Or
June 13,1940
AVORD
18 - Cher
June 15,1940
LIMOGES
87 - Haute-Vienne
June 16,1940
MOISSAC
82 - Tarn et Garonne
June 17,1940
MONTPELLIER-FREJORGUES
34 - Hérault
June 21,1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GR II/22

 


Aircrafts

The GRII/22 has been mainly equipped since its creation with the following Aircraft :

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
  • 14 Potez 63-11

 


Casualties

Crewmen killed
9
Lieutenant HENON (Accident)
September 29, 1939
Corporal CADOUX (Combat)
November 7, 1939
Chief Warrant Officer MARIE (Accident)
January 13, 1940
Sub-lieutenant DROUET (Accident)
May 14, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer LE-BAIL (Accident)
May 14, 1940
Staff-Sergeant LE-COSSEC (Accident)
May 14, 1940
Staff-Sergeant STEIDLE (Combat)
May 15, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant LECHEVREL (Combat)
May 15, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer LEMOINE (Combat)
May 15, 1940
Crewmen injured
3
Chief Warrant Officer LEMOINE (Accident)
January 13, 1940
Captain DEMIMUID (Combat)
June 5, 1940
Staff-Sergeant QUENOLLE (combat)
June 5, 1940
Prisoner Crewmen
3
Chief Warrant Officer KERBRAT
June 14, 1940
Captain SAGON
June 14, 1940
Sergeant GUERIN
June 14, 1940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Sources

- Mr Robert ANCET, Son of Lieutenant Victor ANCET
- 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