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Bomber Group GB I/11

1st Squadron
2nd Squadron


Historical

On May 10, 1940, GB I / 11 belongs to Group No. 11 of the Southeast Bombardment Aviation Training Group of the ZOAA (Alpine Air Operations Zone).

After Armisitce, the GB I / 11 formed with the GB I / 19 and GB II / 61, the Groupement of bombing No. 3, and participated in the attack of the British fleet after Mers-El-Kebir.

The GB I / 11 remained in North Africa until the dissolution of the Army of Air Vichy after taking part in the fighting against the landing of the allies in AFN November 8, 1942

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Staff

Commanders of the group GB I/11
Commander Paul BERDOULAT
May 31, 1940
(killed in air combat)
 
Captain Jean TOURNES
June 1, 1940
June 6, 1940
(Wounded in air combat)
 
Captain Marc HERIARD-DUBREUIL
June 7, 1940
 
Commanders of the 1st Squadron
Captain Marc HERIARD-DUBREUIL
June 6, 1940
 
Lieutenant Albert ARAUD
June 7, 1940
 
Commanders of the 2nd Squadron
Captain Pierre MAURY
May 31, 1940
(killed in air combat)
 
Lieutenant DE-VILLEPIN
June 1, 1940
 

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil-statut
Photos Citations & Decorations
ALLAIRE Robert - Henri
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot

The LéO 451 No 56 was shot down by the Chase on May 31, 1940. The crew was killed.

Posthumous commendation with the attribution of the Cross of War with Palm.

Born April 21, 1909 at Sèvres (92 - Hauts-de-Seine)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Le Plessier-Rozainvilliers (80 - Somme)
 
ARAUD Albert
Lieutenant
Pilot - Cder 1st Sqn.
Lieutenant ARAUD joined the Free French Forces, fighting with the Guyenne Group equipped with Halifax four-engine planes.    
BARRAS
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
The Leo 451 No. 3022, badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, is forced to land in the countryside. It explodes shortly after landing. The crew is injured.    
BERDOULAT Paul - Bertrand
Commander
Cder of Group
Crew Cheif

Paul BERDOULAT lived through both conflicts: a lawyer in civilian life, he was mobilized on August 11, 1914 with the 80th Infantry Regiment, then the 53rd Infantry Regiment and finally the 15th Infantry Regiment. He joined the French Air Force in April 1917 as an observer with SPA 91. He ended the conflict with the rank of Sub-Lieutenant.

On May 31, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3001 was shot down by Fighters. Commander BERDOULAT is killed.

Born January 03, 1893 at Lagardelle sur Lèze / 31 - Haute Garonne)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Sains en Amienvois (80 - Somme)
 
BERTHELON Charles - Jean
Lieutenant-Colonel
Crew Chief

Charles BERTHELON, a member of the November 1914 class, was mobilized for both world conflicts: sent to the Eastern Army in 1915, he became an infantry captain and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, before enlisting in 1918.

On May 9th, 1940, while taking off for a training flight, the Léo 451 n � 96, in loss of speed, crashes The crew is killed, of which Lieutenant-Colonel BERTHELON, Commander of the Groupement n � 12

Born March 27, 1894 at Montceau-Les-Mines (71 - Saône et Loire)
Killed May 9, 1940 at Arles (13 - Bouches du Rhône)
   
BLANQUART Rodolphe - Joseph
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner

The LéO 451 No 56 was shot down by the german fighting on May 31, 1940. The crew was killed.

Posthumous commendation with the attribution of the Cross of War with Palm.

Born January 03, 1902 at Annoeullin (59 - Nord)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Le Plessier Rozainvilliers (80 - Somme)
 
BOURGES André - Charles
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief

Killed on May 31, 1940, aboard the Leo 451 No. 133 shot by Fighters. The crew parachutes, but too low. there will be no survivors.

Posthumous commendation with the attribution of the war cross with palm.

Born June 26, 1916 in Brest (29 - Finistère)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Besson sur Matz (60 - Oise)
 
COLIN
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
On June 13, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 276 was shot down by Fighters. The crew parachutes. COLIN Chief Warrant Officer is injured.    
COLOMER Joseph
Adjutant
Pilot
On June 6, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3007 was shot down by Fighters. The crew is killed.
Born November 04, 1911 at Porté-Puymorens (66 - Pyrénées-Orientales)
Killed on June 6, 1940 at Fransart (80 - Somme)
   
CONTANT Marcel
Staff-Sergeant
Radio

On June 6, 1940, the LEO 451 No. 183 badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, was forced to land in the countryside and was destroyed.Staff-Sergeant CONTANT had to have his right foot amputated.

Inscription on the special register of the Military Medal with the attribution of the Cross of War with Palm.

 
CROS
Adjutant
Pilot

The Leo 451 No. 3022, badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, is forced to land in the countryside with its load of bombs.... It explodes shortly after landing. The crew is injured.

Inscription on the special register of the Military Medal with the attribution of the Cross of War with Palm.

 
DANIEL Jean - Alfred
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Jean DANIEL joined the French Air Force after his military service, and obtained his pilot's license in 1930.
The LéO 451 n � 116 is shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. The Chief Warrant Officer DANIEL is killed.

Posthumous citation

Born May 18, 1906 in Point à Pitre (971 - Guadeloupe)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Grattepanche (80 - Somme)
 
DARTIGE André - Robert
Sergeant
Radio
On June 6, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3007 was shot down by Fighters. The crew is killed.
Born June 22, 1915 in Tourane (Tonkin)
Killed on June 6, 1940 at Fransart (80 - Somme)
   
DEBROCK Jean - Henri
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief

The LéO 451 No 56 was shot down by the Chase on May 31, 1940. The crew was killed

Posthumous citation with the attribution of the war cross with palm.

Born March 08, 1915 at Tourcoing (59 - Nord)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Le Plessier Rozainvilliers (80 - Somme)
 
DE-VILLEPIN
Lieutenant
Cder 2nd Sqn.
   
GATINOIS Marcel - Joseph
Adjutant
Pilot

On June 6, 1940, the No. 451 No. 150 was shot down by Fighters during an attack on a column of enemy armoured vehicles. The crew is killed.

Posthumous commendation with the attribution of the Cross of War with Palm.

Born December 17, 1910 at Saint Amand sur Arnain (80 - Somme)
Killed on June 6, 1940 at Remaugies (80 - Somme)
 
GAUTHIER Hubert - Eugène
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot

Killed on May 31, 1940, aboard the Leo 451 No. 133 shot by Fighters . The crew parachutes, but too low. there will be no survivors.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the Cross of War with Palm.

Born November 13, 1906, Lunéville (54 - Meurthe-et-Moselle), France
Killed May 31, 1940 at Besson sur Matz (60 - Oise)
 
GOURRON
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
On June 13, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 276 was shot down by Fighters. The crew parachutes. Adjutant GOURRON is injured.    
GRANDCHAMP
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Sergeant GRANCHAMP is credited with two victories during the French Campaign.
On June 6, 1940, the LEO 451 No. 183 badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, was forced to land in the countryside and was destroyed. Sergeant GRANDCHAMP is injured.
   
GUIRAL Denis - André
Adjutant
Pilot
On May 9th, 1940, while taking off for a training flight, the Léo 451 No 96, in loss of speed, crashes The Adjutant GUIRAL is killed.
Born November 02, 1909 in Carmaux (81 - Tarn)
Killed May 10, 1940 at Arles (64 - Pyrénées Atlantiques)
   
HENQUEL
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
The Leo 451 No. 3022, badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, is forced to land in the countryside. It explodes shortly after landing. The crew is injured.    
HERIARD-DUBREUIL Marc - Marie
Captain
Cder 1st Sqn.
Cder of Group
Pilot

An engineer and former student of the Ecole Supérieure d'Aéronautique (Class of 1933), Marc HERIARD-DUBREUIL joined the French Air Force in 1939. After the Allied landings in North Africa, he joined the Free French Forces in Algeria. Moving away from his primary vocation, aviation, he took command of the 1st Shock Battalion, which took part in the landings off the coast of Provence. After the war, he became Air Attaché in Oslo, then professor at the Ecole Supérieure de Guerre Aérienne. Appointed Colonel in 1952, he commanded the joint special-engine test center at Colomb Béchar until 1955; after being appointed Air Brigadier General, he left the Air Force in 1958 to pursue a career as an aeronautical engineer. On June 13, 1940, LéO 451 No 276 was shot down by the Chasse. The crew parachutes out. Second Lieutenant LAFAGE is killed: his parachute fails to open. Captain HERIARD-DUBREUIL was unhurt.

Citation with attribution of the war cross with palm.

Born August 17, 1910 in Tarbes (65 - Hautes-Pyrénées)
Died November 22, 1987 in Paris (75)
 
LABERTY Lucien
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner

On June 6, 1940, the No. 451 No. 150 was shot down by Fighters during an attack on a column of enemy armoured vehicles. The crew is killed.

Posthumous citation with the attribution of the war cross with palm.

Born January 08, 1914 in Arudy (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Killed on June 6, 1940 at Remaugies (80 - Somme)
 
LABICHE Pierre - lucien
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner

On June 6, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3007 was shot down by Fighters. The crew is killed

Posthumous citation with the attribution of the war cross with palm.

Born May 03, 1903 at Bar-le-Duc (51 - Marne)
Killed on June 6, 1940 at Fransart (80 - Somme)
 
LAFAGE André - Jean
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief

On June 13, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 276 was shot down by Fighters. The crew parachutes. Sub-Lieutenant LAFAGE is killed: his parachute does not open. Sub-Lieutenant LAFAGE is killed: his parachute does not open.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with Palm.

Born January 05, 1917 at Rambervillers (88 - Vosges)
Killed June 14, 1940 at Saint-Aubin (10 - Aube)
 
MARCHAND Charles - Jean-Baptiste
Chief Warrant Officer
Killed on May 22, 1940 during the crash of his aircraft in the Pyrenees, Spanish side, near the peak of Bucuesa.
Born January 05, 1903 in Moussy (51 - Marne)
Killed on June 22, 1940 at Acurner - Pic de Bucuesa (Spain)
   
MAS
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
On June 6, 1940, the LEO 451 No. 183 badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, was forced to land in the countryside and was destroyed. Staff Sergeant MAS is unscathed.    
MAURY Pierre - Maurice
Captain
Cder 2nd Sqn.
Pilot

On May 31, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3001 was shot down by Fighters. Captain MAURY is killed.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with Palm

Born on July 14, 1910 in Sète (34 - Hérault)
Killed on May 31, 1940 at Sains en Amiénois (80 - Somme)
 
MAZEROLLES André - René
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief

LeO 451 No. 116 was shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. Sub-Lieutenant MAZEROLLES died as a result of his injuries.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with palm.

Born February 16, 1917 at Belvèze du Razes (11 - Aude)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Grattepanche (80 - Somme)
 
MEYZONADE Henri - François
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
On May 31, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3001 was shot down by Fighters. Chief Warrant Officer MEYZONADE, injured, parachutes.
Born December 29, 1910 in Cherbourg-Octeville (50 - Manche)
Died January 9, 1986, Mougins (06 - Alpes-Maritimes)
   
MICHEL Pierre - Sauveur
Sergeant
Radio

Killed on May 31, 1940, aboard the Leo 451 No. 133 shot by Fighters. The crew parachutes, but too low. there will be no survivors.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with palm.

Born February 12, 1910 in Safi (Morocco)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Montdidier (80 - Somme)
 
MIDONNET René - Jules
Staff-Sergeant
Radio

On June 6, 1940, the No. 451 No. 150 was shot down by Fighters. The crew is killed.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with palm.

Born June 21, 1915 in Besançon (25 - Doubs)
Killed on June 6, 1940 at Remaugies (80 - Somme)
 
PAULET Georges - Antoine
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief

On June 6, 1940, the No. 451 No. 150 was shot down by Fighters. The crew is killed.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with palm.

Born in March 1914 in Marseille (13 - Bouches-du-Rhône)
Killed on June 6, 1940 at Remaugies (80 - Somme)
 
PEYRON Pierre
Staff-Sergeant
Radio

LeO 451 No. 116 was shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. Sergeant Cef PEYRON parachuted too low and was killed on the ground.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with palm.

Born October 16, 1919 in Privas (07 - Ardèche)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Grattepanche (80 - Somme)
PUECH Raymond - Pierre
Lieutenant
Crew Chief

On June 6, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3007 was shot down by Fighters. The crew is killed.

Posthumous citation, with the attribution of the War Cross with palm.

Born May 18, 1914 at Gaillac (80 - Somme)
Killed June 6, 1940 at Fransart (80 - Somme)
 
ROSE Marcel - Jean-Baptiste
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
The LéO 451 n � 116 is shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. The Staff-Sergeant ROSE is extracted seriously wounded from the apparatus but will die soon after.
Born August 30, 1912 at Boulogne-sur-Mer (62 - Pas-de-Calais)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Cempuis (60 - Oise)
   
SALESSES Justin - René
Sergeant
Radio
On May 31, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 3001 was shot down by Fighters. Sergeant SALESSES is extracted from the seriously wounded aircraft. He will die soon after.
Born March 26, 1916 at Bazus (31 - Haute-Garonne)
Killed March 31, 1940 at Cempuis (60 - Oise)
   
THOURON Pierre - Augustin
Staff-Sergeant
Radio
The No. 451 LéO 451 was shot down by the Chase on May 31, 1940. The crew was killed.
Born March 16, 1917 at Toury (28 - Eure-et-Loir)
Killed May 31, 1940 at Le Plessier Rozainvilliers (80 - Somme)
   
TOURNES Jean
Captain
Crew Chief

The Leo 451 No. 3022, badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, is forced to land in the countryside. It explodes shortly after landing. The crew is injured.

Inscription in the special Legion of Honour register with the attribution of the War Cross with palm

Born May 16, 1903 in Malzéville (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
Died January 3, 1973 in Bayonne (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
 
TOURRET
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
On June 6, 1940, the LEO 451 No. 183 badly damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, was forced to land in the countryside and was destroyed. Lieutenant TOURRET is unharmed.    
WEBER Georges - Gaston
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner

Killed on May 31, 1940, aboard the Leo 451 No. 133 shot by Fighters. The crew parachutes, but too low. there will be no survivors.

Posthumous citations with the attribution of the War Cross with palm

Born: January 24, 1916
Killed May 31, 1940 at Besson sur Matz (60 - Oise)
 

 

 


Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Crew
GUIRAL Denis
Adjutant
Pilot
Léo 451 No 96 : The aircraft is accidentally destroyed at takeoff on May 9, 1940. The crew was killed, including Lieutenant-Colonel BERTHELON, Commander of Group No. 11
BERTHELON Charles
Lieutenant-Colonel
Crew Chief
Crew
MAURY pierre
Captain
Pilot
LéO 451 No 3001 : The aircraft is destroyed by Fighters on May 31, 1940. Commander BERDOULAT, Captain MAURY and Sergeant SALESSES are killed. Chief Warrant Officer MEYZONADE, injured, parachutes
BERDOULAT Paul
Commander
Crew Chief
SALESSES Justin
Sergeant
Radio
MEYZONADE Henri
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
Crew
DANIEL Jean
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
LéO 451 No 116 : The aircraft is shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. The crew is killed.
MAZEROLLES André
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
PEYRON Pierre
Staff-Sergeant
Radio
ROSE Marcel
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
GAUTHIER Hubert
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
LéO 451 No 133 : The aircraft is shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. The crew parachute but too low. there will be no survivors.
BOURGES André
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
MICHEL pierre
Sergeant
Radio
WEBER Georges
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
ALLAIRE Robert
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
LéO 451 No 56 : The aircraft is shot down by the Fightiing on May 31, 1940. The crew is killed.
DEBROCQ Jean
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
THOURON Pierre
Staff-Sergeant
Radio
BLANQUART Adolphe
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
COLOMER Joseph
Adjutant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 3007 : The aircraft is shot down by Fighters on June 6, 1940. The crew is killed.
PUECH Raymond
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
DARTIGUE André
Sergeant
Radio
LABICHE Pierre
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
Crew
GATINOIS Marcel
Adjutant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 150 : The aircraft is shot down by Fighters on June 6, 1940. The crew is killed.
PAULET Georges
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
MIDONNET René
Staff-Sergeant
Radio
LABERTY Lucien
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
CROS
Adjutant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 3022 : The aircraft is severely damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, he was forced to land in the countryside and exploded shortly after landing. The crew is injured
TOURNES Jean
Captain
Crew Chief
HENQUEL
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
BARRAS
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
MAS
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 183 : The aircraft is gravely damaged by Fighters on June 6, 1940, it is destroyed by landing in the countryside. Sergeant GRANDCHAMP and Staff-Sergeant CONTANT are injured, the latter more seriously.
TOURRET
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
CONTANT Marcel
Staff-Sergeant
Radio
GRANDCHAMP
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
HERIARD-DUBREUIL Marc
Captain
Pilot
LéO 451 No 276 : The aircraft is shot down by Fighters on June 13, 1940. The crew parachutes. Sub-Lieutenant LAFAGE is killed: his parachute does not open. COLIN Chief Warrant Officer and Adjutant GOURRON are injured
LAFAGE André
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
COLIN
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
GOURRON
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Toulouse Francazal
31 - Haute-Garonne
01 Septembre 1939
Istres-Vergières
13 - Bouches du Rhône
02 Septembre 1939
Arles Mas-de-Rus
13 - Bouches du Rhône
08 Décembre 1939
Marigny-Le-Grand
51 - Marne
19 Mai 1940
Pont-Sur-Yonne
89 - Yonne
21 Mai 1940
Etampes Montdésir
91 - Essone
24 Mai 1940
Tours-Mettray
37 - Indre et loire
11 Juin 1940
Bordeaux
33 - Gironde
16 Juin 1940
Orange-Plan de Dieu
84 - Vaucluse
18 Juin 1940
Blida
Algérie
19 Juin 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GB I/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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 :

  • 14 Lioré & Olivier LéO 451

 


Casualties

27 Crewmen killed
Date
Adjutant GUIRAL (Accident)
May 9, 1940
Lieutenant-Colonel BERTHELON (Accident)
May 9, 1940
Chief Warrant-Offier MARCHAND Charles (Accident)
May 22, 1940
Commander BERDOULAT (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Captain MAURY (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Sergeant SALESSES (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant MAZEROLLES (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer DANIEL (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Staff-Sergeant ROSE (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Staff-Sergeant PEYRON (combat)
May 31, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant BOURGES (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer GAUTHIER (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Staff-Sergeant WEBER (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Sergeant MICHEL (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant DEBROCK (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer ALLAIRE (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Adjutant BLANQUART (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Staff-Sergeant THOURON (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Lieutenant PUECH (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Adjutant COLOMER (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer LABICHE (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Sergeant DARTIGE (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant PAULET (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Adjutant GATINOIS (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Sergeant LABERTY (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Staff-Sergeant MIDONNET (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant LAFAGE (Combat)
June 13, 1940
9 Crewmen injured
Date
Chief Warrant Officer MEYZONADE (combat)
May 31, 1940
Captain TOUNES (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Adjutant CROS (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Staff-Sergeant BARRAS (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer HENQUEL (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Sergeant GRANDCHAMP (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Staff-Sergeant CONTANT (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer COLIN (Combat)
June 13, 1940
Adjutant GOURRON (Combat)
June 13, 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
- ...