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Reconnaissance Group GR II/52
3rd Squadron
4th Squadron


Historical

On May 10, 1940, the GR II / 52 is attached to the 9th Army of the 1st Air Division of the ZOAN (North Air Operations Area).

 


Staff

Commanders of the group GR II/52
Commander GOURILLON Alphonse
 
Commander of the 3rd Squadron
Lieutenant TISSIER Joseph
 
Commander of the 4th Squadron
Captain BELBEZE Henri
October 161939
 

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil-statut
Photos
Citations
AMARRE
Lieutenant
Observer
3rd Sqn.
On September 25, 1939, Potez 637 No.31 was hit by the Flak, before being attacked by 6 Me109. The Aircraft crashes into flames. The three crew members are injured    
APERCE
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
On May 15, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.439 is severely hit by the Flak and must land, train back, campaign. The aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unscathed.  
BAUD Hippolyte
Captain
Pilot
On May 13, 1940, his aircraft, a Potez 63-11, crashes, for unknown reasons, into a forest shortly after his departure for a night mission. The crew is killed.
Born June 8, 1904 at Fouras (17 - Charente-Maritime)
Killed May 13, 1940 at Couvron (02 - Aisne)
 
BELBEZE Henri - Marc
Captain
Observer
Staff 4th Sqn.
On October 16, 1939, Potez 637 No.42 was shot down by 5 Me109. Captain BELBEZE is killed.
Born December 28, 1904, Saint-Etienne (42 - Loire), France
Killed on October 16, 1939 in Hensterberg (Germany)
 
BIOLETTI Jean - louis
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
On September 27, 1939, the Potez 637 No.4 is shot down by 9 Me109: The crew is killed
Born June 9, 1917 at Saint-Laurent (88 - Vosges)
Killed on September 27, 1939 at Tenteling (57 - Moselle)
   
BOUR Georges - Edouard
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On May 13, 1940, his aircraft, a Potez 63-11, crashes, for unknown reasons, into a forest shortly after his departure for a night mission. The crew is killed.
Born August 17, 1913 in Hô-Chi-Minh-Ville (Vietnam)
Killed May 13, 1940 at Couvron (02 - Aisne)
 
BOURHIS Jean - Marie
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
On May 15, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.439 is severely hit by the Flak and must land, train back, campaign. The aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unscathed.
He was killed on April 18, 1943 in Algeria while serving with Groupe de Bombardement GB 2/52.
Born July 19, 1906 in Pont-Croix (29 - Finistère)
Killed on April 18, 1943 at Valmy (Algeria)
 
CHARLIER André
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer

On May 19, 1940, his Aircraft, a Potez 637 is attacked by 9 Me109 and, in flames, must land in campaign. Adjutant CHARLIER is injured.

André CHARLIER was killed on July 6, 1944 in England while serving with GB I/25 of the FAFL.

Born December 1, 1910 in Broque (67 - Bas Rhin)
Killed July 6, 1944 in Thorne Colliery (United Kingdom)
 
COLIN Marcel - Alphonse
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
After being severely hit by the Flak, Potez 63-11 No.163 was forced to land train returned to the field May 11, 1940. Sub-Lieutenant COLIN is seriously injured.  
DUGNAT Georges - Benoist
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
 

Georges DUGNAT joined the French Air Force on November 10, 1938.
From GAO544, he was transferred to GR II/52 on May 13, 1940.
He was killed in February 1945 while serving with Groupe de Bombardement 2/33 "Guyenne".

Born August 25, 1920 in Saint-Dier-d'Auvergne (63 - Puy de Dôme)
Killed February 21, 1945 in Lollbach (Germany)
   
DU PARC Guillaume - Henri
Lieutenant
Observer
On September 27, 1939, the Potez 637 No.4 is shot down by 9 Me109: The crew is killed
Born March 4, 1908 in Cognac (16 - Charente)
Killed on September 27, 1939 at tenteling (57 - Moselle)
   
DUDEZERT Roger - Simon
Captain
Observer
Roger DUDEZERT, admitted to the Ecole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1924, was promoted to lieutenant in 1928. Fluent in Arabic and Berber dialects, he was appointed platoon leader in the Compagnie Saharienne du Hoggar.
The Potez 637 No.54 is attacked on September 30, 1939 by 3 Me109 and crashes into flames. Captain DUDEZERT, unscathed, parachutes.
On May 15, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No.439 is severely hit by the Flak and must land, train back, campaign. The aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unscathed.
After the war, Roger DUDEZERT was appointed Colonel, and took command of the Colomb-Béchat zone. He was awarded the Légion d'Honneur in 1949.
Faced with developments in Algeria, he retired.
Born January 7, 1906 in Rouen (76 - Seine-Maritime)
Died February 16, 1978, Biarritz (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
 
ESCOFFIER
Lieutenant
Pilot
On May 19, 1940, the Potez 637 No.10 is attacked by 3 Me109 and, in flames, must land in the countryside. The crew managed to evacuate the aircraft before it exploded. Lieutenant ESCOFFIER is unharmed.    
FARELACCI
Sergeant
Pilot
  From the GAO544, it is transferred to the GR II/52 on May 13, 1940.    
GENTY
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On September 25, 1939, Potez 637 No.31 was hit by the Flak, before being attacked by 6 Me109. The Aircraft crashes into flames. The three crew members are injured    
GEORGEON
Chief-Warrant-Officer
Pilot
 
GOURILLON Alphonse - Charles
Commander
Commander of the Group
Staff Group
Born September 9, 1895, Saint-Gervais en Vallière ( 71 - Saône et Loire)
Died January 11, 1978, Chalon-sur-Saône ( 71 - Saône et Loire)
 
KUEHN Georges - Marie
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
Born November 12, 1914 in Granvillars (90 - Territoire de Belfort)
Died February 29, 1998, Malzéville (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
 
MALLE
Aspirant
Pilot
   
MARTIN
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
After being hit severely by the Flak, the Potez 63-11 No.163 is forced to land train returned to the campaign May 11, 1940. Staff-Sergeant MARTIN is unscathed.    
MERCY Antoine - Joseph
Adjutant
Pilot
The Potez 637 No.54 is attacked on September 30, 1939 by 3 Me109 and crashes into flames. L'Adjudant MERCY, brûlé aux mains et au visage est grièvement blessé  
MILLET
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
After being severely hit by the Flak, Potez 63-11 No.163 was forced to land train returned to campaign May 11, 1940. Staff Sergeant MILLET is seriously injured.    
PELTRIAUX
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
On May 19, 1940, his Aircraft, a Potez 637 is attacked by 9 Me109 and, in flames, must land in campaign. Adjutant PELTRIAUX is injured.    
PINCZON DU SEL Jean-Marie - Hippolyte
Lieutenant
Pilot
4th Sqn.
Jean-Marie PINCZON-Du-SEL entered the air force school at Salon en Provence in November 1935.
On October 16, 1939, Potez 637 No.42 was shot down by 5 Me109. Lieutenant PINCZON DU SEL is killed
Born October 14, 1914 in Paris
Killed on October 16, 1939 at Pirnasens Kaiserlautern (Germany)
 
RITUIT Bernard
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
The Potez 637 No.54 is attacked on September 30, 1939 by 3 Me109 and crashes into flames. Staff Sergeant RITUIT is killed
Born November 14, 1910 in Tours (37 - Indre et Loire)
Killed on September 30, 1939 at Berg (67 - Bas-Rhin)
   
ROUILLON Lucien - René
Lieutenant
Observer
On May 13, 1940, his aircraft, a Potez 63-11, crashes, for unknown reasons, into a forest shortly after his departure for a night mission. The crew is killed.
Born March 7, 1904 at Tomblaine (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
Killed May 13, 1940 at Couvron (02 - Aisne)
 
SAUDRY Kléber
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
On September 27, 1939, the Potez 637 No.4 is shot down by 9 Me109: The crew is killed
Born May 17, 1896 at Mousseaux le Bray (77 - Seine et Marne)
Killed on September 27, 1939 at Tenteling (57 - Moselle)
   
THIEBAULT Paul - Benoit
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
On May 19, 1940, the Potez 637 No.10 is attacked by 3 Me109 and, in flames, must land in the countryside. The crew managed to evacuate the aircraft before it exploded. Adjutant THIEBAULT is injured.  
THIERRY
Sergeant
Pilot
On May 19, 1940, his Aircraft, a Potez 637 is attacked by 9 Me109 and, in flames, must land in campaign. Sergeant THIERRY is unharmed.    
TINLAND Maurice - Félix
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
 

Before mobilization in 1939, Maurice TINLAND worked as a lawyer,
From GAO544, he was transferred to GR II/52 on May 13, 1940.
Demobilized in August 1940, he resumed his career as a lawyer. He joined the Resistance's "Combat" group and was arrested on January 28, 1944, along with his father and father-in-law. He was imprisoned in Moulins and tortured by the Gestapo. He was released on August 25, 1944.
After the war, Maurice TINLAND ran for mayor of Moulins and was elected on October 26, 1947, aged just 32. He stepped down in 1959 to devote himself to his career as a lawyer.

Born 20 March 1915 in Valence (Drôme)
Killed March 29, 1963 at Moulins (Alliers)
   
TISSIER Joseph
Lieutenant
Pilot
Staff 3rd Sqn.
On September 25, 1939, Potez 637 No.31 was hit by the Flak, before being attacked by 6 Me109. The Aircraft crashes into flames. The three crew members are injured
Born October 28, 1899 in Morey (71 - Saône et Loire)
Died February 19, 2001 at Clamecy (58 - Nièvre)
 
VAUTHIER
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
   
VERGE André
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
4th Sqn.
On October 16, 1939, Potez 637 No.42 was shot down by 5 Me109. Staff Sergeant VERGNE, badly wounded, parachutes and is taken prisoner when arriving on the ground.  
VUATRIN
Lieutenant
Observer
On May 19, 1940, the Potez 637 No.10 is attacked by 3 Me109 and, in flames, must land in the countryside. The crew managed to evacuate the aircraft before it exploded. Lieutenant VUATRIN is wounded.    

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Informations
Crew
DUGNAT Georges Sergeant Machine-Gunner Potez 63-11 n°439 :On May 11, 1940, the aircraft and crew of GAO 544 were seconded to GR II/52, before being transferred to this group on May 13, 1940.
TINLAND Maurice Sub-Lieutenant Observer
FARELACCI Sergeant Pilot
Crew MALLE
Candidate Officer
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 52
VAUTHIER
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
BIOLETTI Jean
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
Crew
TISSIER Joseph
Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 31 : Destroyed in air combat on September 25, 1939. All three crew members are wounded
AMARRE
Lieutenant
Observer
GENTY
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
SAUDRY Kléber
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 4 : Destroyed in aerial combat on September 27, 1939 in Moselle: The crew is killed
DU PARC Guillaume
Lieutenant
Observer
BIOLETTI Jean
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
Crew
MERCY Antoine
Adjutant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 54 : Destroyed in aerial combat on September 30, 1939. Captain DUDEZERT parachutes, Adjutant MERCY is seriously injured and Staff-Sergeant RITUIT is killed
DUDEZERT Roger
Captain
Observer
RITUIT Bernard
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
PINCZON DU SEL Jean-Marie
Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 42 : Destroyed in air combat on October 16, 1939. Lieutenant PINCZON DU SEL and Captain BELBEZE are killed and Staff-Sergeant VERGNE, wounded, is taken prisoner.

BELBEZE Henri

Captain
Observer
VERGNE André
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
MARTIN
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 163 :Destroyed on landing May 11, 1940 after an air fight: Staff-Sergeant MILLET and Sub-Lieutenant COLIN are wounded
COLIN Marcel
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
MILLET
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
BAUD Hippolyte
Captain
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° ? : Destroyed by accident on May 13, 1940. The crew is killed.
ROUILLON Lucien
Lieutenant
Observer
BOUR Georges
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
BOURHIS Jean
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 63-11 n° 439 : Damaged by the Flak May 15, 1940, it is destroyed by posing in the countryside: the crew is unscathed.
DUDEZERT Roger
Captain
Observer
APERCE
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
Crew
ESCOFFIER
Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 10 : Destroyed in aerial combat on May 19, 1940. The crew is unscathed.
VUATRIN
Lieutenant
Observer
THIEBAULT Paul
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
THIERRY
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° ? : Destroyed in aerial combat on May 19, 1940. Chief Warrant Officer CHARLIER and Adjutant PELTRIAUX were wounded.
CHARLIER
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
PELTRIAUX
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Herbéviller
54 - Meurthe et Moselle
September 3, 1939
Couvron
02 - Aisne
February 9, 1940
Château-Thierry
02 - Aisne
May 16, 1940
Etrépagny
27 - Eure
May 18, 1940
Caen Rocquancourt
14 - Calvados
May 22, 1940
Troarn
14 - Calvados
June 1, 1940
Bordeaux Mérignac
33 - Gironde
June 2, 1940
Perpignan La Salanque
66 - Pyrénées Orientales
June 18, 1940
Oran La-Sénia
Algeria
June 20, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GR II/52

 


Aircrafts

The GR II/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 :

  • 3 Potez 542
  • 7 Potez 637
  • 2 Potez 63-11
  • 1 Bloch MB175

 


Casualties

Crewmen killed
9
Lieutenant DU PARC (Combat)
September 27, 1939
Adjudant-Chef SAUDRY (Combat)
September 27, 1939
Caporal-Chef BIOLETTI (Combat)
September 27, 1939
Sergent-Chef RITUIT (Combat)
September 30, 1939
Capitaine BELBEZE (Combat)
October 16, 1939
Lieutenant PINCZON DU SEL (Combat)
October 16, 1939
Lieutenant ROUILLON (Accident)
May 13, 1940
Capitaine BAUD (Accident)
May 13, 1940
Sergent-Chef BOUR (Accident)
May 13, 1940
Crewmen injured
9
Lieutenant AMARRE (Combat)
September 25, 1939
Lieutenant TISSIER (Combat)
September 25, 1939
Sergent-Chef GENTY (Combat)
September 25, 1939
Adjudant MERCY (Combat)
September 30, 1939
Sergent-Chef VERGNE (Combat)
October 16, 1939
Sous-Lieutenant COLIN (Combat)
May 11, 1940
Sergent-Chef MILLET (Combat)
May 11, 1940
Adjudant-Chef CHARLIER (Combat)
May 19, 1940
Adjudant PELTRIAUX (Combat)
May 19, 1940
Crewmen prisoner
1
Sergent-Chef VERGNE
October 16, 1939


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