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Air Observation Group GAO 509

Historical

On the date of the outbreak of the German attack of May 10, 1940, the GAO 509 is attached to the IV Army in the Air Cooperation Forces of the ZOAE (East Air Operations Zone).

Staff

Commanders of the group GAO 509
Captain MAISONNOBE Germain
January 7, 1940
Captain DU-TERTRE Jean
January 7, 1940
May 25, 1940
Commander TRONYO Charles
May 25, 1940

 

Personnel

Pilots et Membres d'Crews du Groupe
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Informations
Civil-statut
Photos
Citations
ANTHONIOZ Jean - Charles
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot

Born in Montbazon (37 - Indre et Loire) on 22 May 1904
Died at Tours (37 - Indre et Loire) on 12 October 2005

  
BERTHET Jean - Clément
Lieutenant
Observer
After graduating from the Arts et Métiers engineering school in 1925, he joined the French Air Force and obtained his observer's diploma in 1926.
He was first an observer with GAO II/514 in July 1939 before being posted to GAO 509 at Challes les Eaux until the Group's demobilisation at Lager in July 1940.
Jean BERTHET was awarded the Croix de Guerre for a dangerous mission on 12 June 1940
and was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur for the same mission.
Here is an extract from his diary at the time:
"A mission between Rouen and Le Havre - Departure 5.20pm - We discovered a 20km long convoy going from Caudebec to Tancarville via Lillebonne. We went down to 50m to identify it and we received a burst of machine-gun fire in the aircraft and a bullet broke a cylinder in the right engine and another passed between my legs".
Source Mr Gael NOTELET, Grandson of Lieutenant Jean BERTHET
Born on 10 December 1903 in Côte Saint André (38 - Isère)
Died on 7 January 1982 in Reims (51 - Marne).
 
BLANCHET Michel - Ivan
Sub-Lieutenant
Machine-Gunner
 On June 5, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No. 588 was shot down by German Fighters. The crew is killed.
Born August 21, 1918 in Paris
Killed on June 5, 1940 at Campneuseville (76 - Seine-Maritime)
BOLO Paul - Ernest
Sub-Lieutenant
Machine-Gunner
 Killed on March 17, 1940 in a target shooting exercise: the aircraft, the Potez 63-11 n° 590 hit the cable and sink at sea
Born November 22, 1915 in Nantes (44 - Loire-Atlantique)
Killed on March 17, 1940 off Port-Saint-Louis-Du-Rhône (13 - Bouches du Rhône)
  
BOUDINIER Emile - Maxime
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
 On June 5, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No. 588 was shot down by German Fighters. The crew is killed.
Born April 10, 1915 at Levergies (02 - Aisne)
Killed on June 5, 1940 at Campneuseville (76 - Seine-Maritime)
CHOLET Gabriel - Amour
Sergeant
Pilot

Before the war, Gabriel CHOLET was a mechanic at Air Touraine. He qualified as a Tourist Pilot in June 1937, and as a Military Pilot in March 1939 at Istres.

He was sent for training in the winter of '39 and only returned on June 10, 1940, unable to take part in the fighting.
Born 23 July 1919, Dijon (21 - Côte d'Or)
Died at Buis-Les-Baronnies (26 - Drôme) on 3 September 1977
  
COLIN Paul - Maurice
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
 On June 5, 1940, the Potez 63-11 No. 588 was shot down by German Fighters. The crew is killed.
Born April 14, 1909 at Tours (37 - Indre et loire)
Killed on June 5, 1940 at Campneuseville (76 - Seine-Maritime)
COLOMINES
Sergeant
Pilot
 He was sent for training in the winter of '39 and only returned on June 10, 1940, unable to take part in the fighting.  
CORNEILLE
Sub-lieutenant
Pilot
 He was sent for training in the winter of '39 and only returned on June 10, 1940, unable to take part in the fighting.  
CRETENIER Abel - Adolphe
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Adolphe CRETENIER joined the GAO 509 just before mobilisation. He is an experienced pilot with 1500 flying hours to his credit. In particular, he completed an advanced training course at the Etampes flying school. He had also flown the POTEZ 25, Breguet 27, Mureaux 115 and Bloch MB200 while serving with the 31st Wing.
He took on the role of instructor, and trained many young GAO 509 pilots in dual control.
Born in Paris (75) on 21 June 1910
Died at Parçay-Meslay (37 - Indre et Loire) on 5 July 2001
  
DEMESMAY Marcel
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunne
Marcel DEMESMAY was posted to the GB I/31 from 1934 to 1939 as a machine gunner, and joined the GAO 509 on 15 September 1939.
Withdrawn to North Africa with GAO 509, he later joined Groupe 2/23, which flew Léo 451s. After the Allied landings in North Africa in November 1942, Group 2/23 became 346 Squadron 'Guyenne' of the RAF. This unit carried out bombing raids over occupied Europe from bases in England. The Group flew the Halifax MK V heavy bomber. Marcel DEMESMAY was appointed Bombardier. He will be cited four times for his action within the Group. Marcel DEMESMAY survived his tour of operations, 30 missions, at the end of which he stayed in England to train new recruits.
Once peace had returned, he was in charge of air traffic control at the Tours base until 1962, when, after a final assignment in Germany, he retired to Tours.
Born on 25 October 1909 in Beure (25 - Doubs)
Killed on 8 September 1986 at Besançon (25)
  
DEPREZ
Sub-Lieutenant
 
DUTARTRE Eugène - Hector
Lieutenant
Machine-Gunner
 On June 5, 1940, Potez 63-11 No. 592 was shot down by 6 Me109. The crew is killed. Born in Calais on September 10, 1900
Killed on June 05, 1940 at Thil Manneville (76 - Seine-Maritime)
DU-TERTRE Jean
Captain
Commander du Groupe
  
FAURE Pierre - Louis
Sergeant
Pilot
 Killed on March 17, 1940 in a target shooting exercise: the aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No.590 hit the cable and sink at sea
Born in Paris on October 19, 1916
Killed on March 17, 1940 off Port-Saint-Louis-Du-Rhône (13 - Bouches du Rhône)
  
GIRON André - Louis
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
 On June 5, 1940, Potez 63-11 No. 592 was shot down by 6 Me109. The crew is killed.
Born April 09, 1917 in Saint Maurice (75 - Paris)
Killed on June 05, 1940 at Thil Manneville (76 - Seine-Maritime)
GUILLERME Henri - Emile
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
 On June 5, 1940, Potez 63-11 No. 592 was shot down by 6 Me109. The crew is killed.
Born September 17, 1916 at Saint-Nazaire (44 - Loire-Atlantique)
Killed on June 05, 1940 at Thil Manneville (76 - Seine-Maritime)
GUILLOT
Sergeant
Pilot
 He was sent for training in the winter of '39 and only returned on June 10, 1940, unable to take part in the fighting.  
KLEIN
Adjudant-Chef
Pilot
  
LEVY Marcel
Aspirant
Pilot

Before the war, Marcel LEVY owned the fashion shop "Le Petit Paris" in Tours.

He was sent for training in the winter of '39 and only returned on June 10, 1940, unable to take part in the fighting.

He was killed on August 15, 1944 in Algeria while serving with GB 2/63.
Born November 30, 1917 at Koenigsmacker (57 - Moselle)
Killed August 15, 1944 at Misserghin (Algeria)
  
MAISONNOBE Germain
Capitain
Staff Group
 Commander of the group Born on 6 June 1891  
MANO
Lieutenant
Observer
  
MARY Raymond - Hyacinthe
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
 Killed on May 13, 1940 aboard a Potez 63-11 by shots from the ground.
Born March 29, 1903 at Mesnil-Germain (14 - Calvados)
Killed May 13, 1940 at Burthecourt (54 - Meurthe et moselle)
  
MUDRY Auguste - François
Sergeant
Pilot
In 1936, Auguste MUDRY became a military mechanic and graduated top of his class as a student pilot at Istres. He was sent on training in the winter of 1939 and did not return until 10 June 1940, without being able to take part in the fighting.
He went on to become a civil servant in the finance department and then a professional pilot.
In 1953, he reorganised gliding in France and was behind the creation of the FFVV (Fédération Française de Vol à Voile - French Gliding Federation), of which he was the 1st President in 1966.1958, he created CAARP (Coopérative des Ateliers Aéronautiques de la Région Parisienne - Paris Region Aeronautical Workshops Cooperative) in Beynes (78) and built CP320 Emeraude aircraft designed by Claude Piel. In 1965, he designed the CP100 based on an Emeraude, then the Cap 10 in 1968, a two-seater aerobatic training aircraft.
The Cap 10 was built in 300 units and was purchased by the French Air Force and Navy for initial pilot training. In the civilian sector, this aircraft was to revive aerobatics in France. Widely used throughout the world, in numerous flying clubs and private associations, it marked the beginning of the long line of Mudry aircraft.
In 1969, the Cap 20 made its first flight as a single-seater competition aircraft.
In 1978, CAARP ceased operations and the company "Avions Mudry" was created in Bernay in the Eure region.
The CAP 20 competition single-seater underwent continuous improvements for more than 24 years, giving rise in 1985 to the Cap 230, an international-level competition single-seater. It was upgraded in 1990 to the Cap 231 and then the Cap 232. Thanks to this series of aircraft, a number of French pilots went on to become European and world aerobatics champions, and in the hands of the talented Claude Bessière, then a pilot with the French Air Force aerobatics team, it enabled the small manufacturer to win its first aerobatics World Cup.
In 1994, Xavier de Lapparent took over from the E.V.A.A. competitor, becoming world champion pilot and Auguste Mudry constructor.
While the commercial court ordered the sale of Mudry et Cie in 1997, the following year the CAP 232 'Breitling' became world aerobatic champion, as if to salute Auguste Mudry, who had been wounded in the flesh. Captain Patrick Paris took the well-deserved title, demonstrating a clear and unusual superiority in this discipline.
The Cap 10 and Cap 232 have been built by APEX Aviation since 1997.
Auguste Mudry died in Bernay (Eure) on 5 August 2006, in his 91st year. His grave is in Seytroux, in his native Haute-Savoie.
Né le 17 Juillet 1917 à Seytroux (74 - Haute-Savoie)
Décédé le 5 Aout 2006 à Bernay (27 - Eure)
  
O'KELLY-FARELL André - Marie
Captain
Pilot
 Captain O'Kelly was killed on July 27, 1943 in Kherba, Algeria.
Born August 30, 1911 in Nouméa (988 - New Caledonia)
Killed July 27, 1943 at Kherba - Algeria
RAGONNEAU Jean
Lieutenant
Observer
 Killed on March 17, 1940 in a target shooting exercise: the aircraft, the Potez 63-11 No.590 hit the cable and sink at sea
Born June 9, 1912 in Blesmex
Killed on March 17, 1940 off Port-Saint-Louis-Du-Rhône (13 - Bouches du Rhône)
  
RIDEAU Jean - Charles
Before the war, Jean RIDEAU was a member of the Aviation Club de Touraine. He qualified as a glider pilot in June 1932 and, in the summer of 1933, took over the management of the Aero Club. Jean RIDEAU, an aircraft mechanic during his military service, took over the family business of building wooden blinds. He began building a glider, which made its first flights in May. But he gave in to the new Pou du Ciel fashion and abandoned gliding. In 1936, he passed the instructor's technical exam.
Jean RIDEAU returned to gliding and built a new glider, the Minéo M-5 in 1939.
Mobilised in September 1939, he took part in the French campaign with GAO 509.
After the liberation, he restored a C230 cauldron that had been hidden from the occupying forces. In 1946, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale awarded him the silver glider pilot badge (D) with the n°108. Later, he built a Bébé Jodel in North Africa. He was in Cannes in 1958. René Fournier was looking for a place to build his RF-01, in Cannes. He has just found his joiner.
Born on 6 August 1906 in Tours (37 - Indre et Loire).
Died at Tours (37) on 19 October 1975
  
TONICHON Robert - Georges
Sergeant
Pilot
 He was killed in Indochina in May 1946.
Born August 02, 1916 in Dijon (21 - Côte d'Or)
Killed May 22, 1946 at Muong Kassy - Laos
  
TRONYO Charles - Michel
Commander
Commander of Group
Born in Estagel (66 - Pyrénées-Orientales) on 25 May 1896
Died at Perpignan (66 - Pyrénées-Orientales) on 22 March 1984
  

 

 

Stories

Names
Photos
Descriptive
Lieutenant DUTARTRE Eugène
Source : Gérard ACKERMANN : Eugène DUTARTRE was the brother of Mr Ackermann's grandmother.
Sub-Lieutenant GIRON André
Source : Mr MENUT Gérard, Son of the widow of Second Lieutenant André Giron

 

 

 

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Informations
Crew
 FAURE Pierre
Sergeant
Pilot
 Potez 63-11 n° 590 : Falling into the sea on March 17, 1940 during a target shooting exercise: the aircraft hits the cable: the crew is killed.
RAGONNEAU Jean
Lieutenant
Observer
BOLO Paul
Sub-Lieutenant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
 GIRON André
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
 Potez 63-11 n° ? : Damaged by ground fire on May 13, 1940, Chief Warrant Officer MARY is killed
GUILLERME Henri
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
MARY Raymond
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
Crew
 GIRON André
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
 Potez 63-11 n° 592 : Shot by German fighters on June 5, 1940. The crew is killed.
GUILLERME Henri
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
DUTARTRE Eugène
Lieutenant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
 COLIN Paul
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
 Potez 63-11 n° 588 : Shot by German fighters on June 5, 1940. The crew is killed.
BOUDINIER Emile
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
BLANCHET Michel
Sub-Lieutenant
Machine-Gunner

 

Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Delme
57 - Moselle
September 3, 1939
Nancy-Azelot
54 - Meurthe et Moselle
September 15, 1939
Morhange
57 - Moselle
September 24, 1939
Delme
57 - Moselle
October 3, 1939
Nancy-Azelot
54 - Meurthe et Moselle
October 16, 1939
Lyon-Bron
69 - Rhône
October 21, 1939
Challes-Les-Eaux
73 - Savoie
October 23, 1939
Marignane
13 - Bouches du Rhône
March 9, 1940
Chambaran Marcilloles
38 - Isère
March 25, 1940
Delme
57 - Moselle
March 29, 1940
Saint-Valéry-en-Caux
76 - Seine-Maritime
May 31, 1940
Caen-Carpiquet
14 - Calvados
June 6, 1940
Vers-sur-Mer
14 - Calvados
June 13, 1940
Fontenay-Le-Comte
85 - Vendée
June 15, 1940
Cazaux
33 - Gironde
June 19, 1940
Sanint-Laurent De-La-Salanque
66 - Pyrénées-Orientales
June 20, 1940
Alger Maison-Blanche
Algérie
June 22, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :
Itinerary of the GAO 509

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aircrafts

The GAO 509 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 Breguet 270
  • 7 Potez 63-11

 

Casualties

Crewmen killed
10
Lieutenant RAGONNEAU (Accident)
March 17, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant BOLO (Accident)
March 17, 1940
Sergeant FAURE (Accident)
March 17, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer MARY (Combat)
May 13, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant GUILLERME (Combat)
June 5, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant GIRON (Combat)
June 5, 1940
Lieutenant DUTARTRE (Combat)
June 5, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant BOUDINIER (Combat)
June 5, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant COLIN (Combat)
June 5, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant BLANCHET (Combat)
June 5, 1940

 

Sources

- Mr Gérard ACKERMANN : Eugène DUTARTRE was the brother of Mr Ackermann's grandmother.
- Mr MENUT Gérard, Mr MENUT Gérard, Son of the widow of Second Lieutenant André Giron
- Mr LEMARCHAND Hervé, Flag-bearer of the commune of Thil-Manneville where Potez 63-11 n°592 crashed
- Site "Aeroplmane de Touraine" : "Le GAO 509 dans la tourmente"
- 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