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Bomber Group GB I/62

1st Squadron
2nd Squadron


Historical

At the declaration of War, GB I / 62, stationed in Algeria, is equipped with old LéO20B bombers. Its transformation on Glenn-Martin 167F is scheduled for January 1940, but will be delayed. The Group will finally join the Metropolis only in early May 1940.

On May 10, 1940, GB I / 62 is attached to Group No. 1 of the Southeast Bombardment Aviation Training Group of the ZOAA (Alpine Air Operations Area).

In June 1940, the Group returned to North Africa, then was transferred to Senegal in July 1940 before joining Bamako in September 1940.


Staff

Commanders of the group GB I/62
Commander PIOLLET Jean
October 1938
October 24,1939
Captain CHERON
October 24,1939
November 21, 1939
Commander FOURESTIER Louis
November 22, 1939
January 1941
Commander of the 1st Squadron
Captain CHERON
 
Lieutenant DALMAS Camille
 
Captain CHERON
 
Commander of the 2nd Squadron
Captain QUERETTE Francis  

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil-statut
Photos
Citations
ALLAIN Maurice - Georges
Sergeant
Machine-gunner
Maurice ALLAIN was called up to Evreux and posted to 1/62 in Casablanca in 1937. Awarded a machine-gunner's certificate in 1939, he took part in the French campaign and operations in Sicily in June 1940. He was placed on Armistice leave, then recalled in 1943 to the GB 1/62 and then to the GB 11/23. He was admitted to the Air Force in May 1945, and was successively
He was posted to the 40th Wing in 1947, the 60th Air Transport and Liaison Wing in 1948 and the GT 11/61 in 1950.
Maurice ALLAIN was then posted to the 61st Transport Wing in Indochina in
1954 and then to AFN in 1955. He was appointed intelligence and flight safety officer in 1957 before being posted to the GMMTA (Groupement des moyens militaires de transport aérien) headquarters in 1960.
He was placed on aircrew leave in 1962.
Born on 12 September 1916 in Port-Saint-Pierre (27 - Eure)
Died 17 April 1996 in Antony (92 - Hauts de Seine)
   
BEUCHET Paul - Henri
Lieutenant
Pilot
Paul BEUCHET obtained his pilot's licence from the Crotoy Military Aviation School in November 1920.
On 21 June 1929, he was involved in a serious accident aboard the Berguet 19B2 he was piloting. Betrayed by the fog, it crashed heavily into the ground, injuring Paul BEUCHET.
Born 27 November 1904, Fenay (21 - Côte d'Or)
Died at Dijon (21 - Côte d'Or) on 3 February 1988
 
BONNEFOUS Paul - André
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
On 12 June 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 161 was shot down by Flak. Chief Warrant Officer BONNEFOUS was killed.
Born on 7 December 1906 at Langon (33 - Gironde)
Killed on 12 June 1940 at Vesilly (02 - Aisne)
 
BONTEMPS André - Louis
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Staff Sergeant BONTEMPS was wounded on 6 June 1940 aboard Glenn Martin 167F No 75, which had been damaged in air combat.
Born in Ville-Sous-Laferte (10 - Aube) on 14 April 1920
Died at Mérignac (33 - Gironde) on 31 December 1999
   
CANDILLE
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
   
CHERON
Lieutenant then Captain
Cder 1st Sqn. then Cder of Group
     
DALMAS Camille - Léon
Lieutenant
Cder 1st Sqn.
Born on 15 March 1901 in La Foa (988 - New Caledonia)
Died in Chambéry (73 - Savoie) on 1 May 1997
   
FOURESTIER Louis
Commander
Cder of Group
Born on 20 August 1895    
GAUCHE René - Auguste
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine Gunner
Seriously wounded on 5 June 1940 aboard Glenn Martin 167F No 74, shot down by fighter aircraft.
Born on 8 February 1908 in Boismont (54 - Meurthe-et-Moselle)
Died at Verdun (55 - Meuse) on 3 July 1989
HARDY Maxime - Charles
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On 6 June 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 147 was hit head-on by flak and exploded in flight. All three crew members were killed.
Born on 30 March 1918 at Maroué (22 - Côtes d'Armor)
Killed on 10 June 1940 at Ricquebourg (60 - Oise)
 
JOURDON Charles
Adjutant
Pilot
Warrant Officer Charles JOURDON was credited with an aerial victory during the French Campaign.
Born on 18 July 1910 in Angers (49 - Maine-et-Loire)
Died at Amiens (80 - Somme) on 4 September 1993
 
LANGLOIS René - Marie
Lieutenant
Pilot

- On 26 May 1940, his aircraft, the Glenn Martin 167F No 74, was damaged by the French Chasse.... The GC II/3, which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs from GB I/62, mistook them for Dornier 17s and shot down No 39 and No 89, damaging Nos 96, 129 and 74... Lieutenant Langlois was wounded.
- On 12 June 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 161 was shot down by Flak. Lieutenant Langlois was wounded and taken prisoner.

Born on 6 April 1911 in Paris (75)
Died at Neuilly-sur-Seine (92 - Hauts-de-Seine) on 7 August 2007
 
MALLET Alexandre - Léon
Lieutenant
Observer
On 26 May 1940, his aircraft, Glenn Martin 167F No 89, was shot down by the French Chasse.... by the French Chasse! The GC II/3, which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62, mistook them for Dornier 17s and shot down No 39 and No 89, damaging Nos 96, 129 and 74... Lieutenant MALLET was killed.
Born on 4 November 1902 at Amirat (06 - Alpes-Maritimes)
Killed on 26 May 1940 at Ferrières (80 - Somme)
   
MANCELIN Lucien
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
 
MARCHAND Pierre - Gustave
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On 26 May 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 96 was damaged by... French fighters! The GC II/3 that was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62 mistook them for Dornier 17s, and shot down No 39, No 89 and damaged Nos 96, 129 and 74. The pilot of Glenn-Martin No 96 managed to return to the field. Sergeant-Chef MARCHAND was seriously wounded.
Born on 6 September 1911 in Roubaix (59 - Nord)
Died at Cambrai (59 - Nord) on 9 August 1983
 
METRAUX Louis - Théodore
Staff-Sergeant
Observer
On 26 May 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 39 was destroyed by the... French Chasse! GC II/3, which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62, mistook them for Dornier 17s and shot down No 39 and No 89, damaging Nos 96, 129 and 74...the Flak. Staff Sergeant METRAUX managed to jump by parachute, but it did not open. He was killed on the ground.
Born at Notre-Dame-des-Millières (73 - Somme) on 17 January 1915
Killed at Molliens-au-Bois (80 - Somme) on 26 May 1940
 
PAINCHAUX Pierre - Charles
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On 6 June 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 147 was hit head-on by flak and exploded in flight. All three crew members were killed.
Born on 20 October 1907 at Besançon (25 - Doubs)
Killed at Cuvilly (60 - Oise) on 6 June 1940
 
PIOLLET Jean
Commander
Cder of Group

He entered Saint-Cyr in 1917 and graduated just in time to take part in the final battles, earning him the Croix de Guerre 1914-18. After further training, he was appointed to Constantinople in 1921, where he served with the 37th Algerian Rifle Regiment until October 1923. From 1923 to 1926, he was an instructor at the Ecole Spéciale Militaire. After volunteering for Morocco, he was appointed observer to the 37th aviation regiment on 5 April 1927 and qualified as a pilot in July 1928. He flew several important missions during the Moroccan campaign and was awarded the Overseas Operations Cross.
He entered the Ecole Supérieure de Guerre in February 1931 and graduated as a staff officer in 1933. On graduating, he served on the Air Force General Staff until 1936. At that time, he joined the 62nd Air Wing in Morocco, where he took command of the 1st Group on 17 November 1938.
In October 1939, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Tunisian Air Force.
After spending a year at the Meknès storage base, Lieutenant-Colonel Piollet was posted to Vichy in April 1941. On 7th September 1942, he joined the No. 2 bombardment group and was appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Command in Western France on 24th November of the same year.
After various postings in Algeria, he took command of the 31st Bombardment Wing on 24 April 1944, with which he flew thirteen war missions over Italy. On 10th August 1944, he was appointed Commander of the Air Force in Morocco. The following September, he was promoted to air brigadier general and became head of the military cabinet of the Minister for Air. Jean Piollet was awarded the Second World War Cross for 1939-1945. Appointed Director of Higher Air Training on 4 April 1946, he was promoted to Major General and then appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Air Force on 15 February 1947. He left this position on 31 January 1948 and became Inspector of the Overseas Air Forces. On 6 October 1950, he was appointed Air Corps General. General Piollet was granted permanent aircrew leave on 1st September 1954.

Source : traditions-air.fr

Born on 29 July 1899 in Matzville (57 - Lorraine)
Died in Paris on 18 June 1970
   
PLANTIER Jules - Gaston
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Seriously wounded on 26 May 1940 aboard Glenn Martin 167F No 89, shot down by ... French fighters! GC II/3, which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62, mistook them for Dornier 17s and shot down No 39 and No 89, damaging Nos 96, 129 and 74.
30 September 1903 at Saint-André-De-Valborgne (30 - Gard)
Died at Nimes (30 - Gard) on 23 May 1977
 
POURKAT Robert - Gaston
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On 12 June 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 161 was shot down by Flak. Sergeant POURKAT was wounded and taken prisoner.
Born in Verdun (55 - Meuse) on 6 August 1911
Died at Pierrelatte (26 - Drôme) on 18 September 1988
   
QUERETTE Francis
Captain
Cder 2nd Sqn.
He was killed on 26 February 1945 while serving at the Djedeida Instruction Centre No 26.
Born on 10 August 1908 in Hyères (83 - Var)
Killed on 26 February 1945 in Biskra (Algeria)
   
REYNAUD Jean-Louis
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
He was killed on 04 November 1943 at sea, in the colours of the FAFL, as part of the Artois Group: his plane crashed into the sea following the premature explosion of an on-board explosive charge...
Born on 31 October 1913 in Saint-Etienne (42 - Loire)
Killed on 4 November 1943 at Djino (off the coast of Congo)
 
RIGAUX Maurice
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
On 6 June 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 147 was hit head-on by flak and exploded in flight. All three crew members were killed.
Born on 27 September 1903 at Boulogne-sur-Mer (62 - Pas-De-Calais)
Killed on 6 June 1940 at Ricquebourg (60 - Oise)
 
SARTON-DU-JONCHAY Noel - Marie - Aimé - Christian
Commander
Observer
Noel SARTON-Du-JONCHAY enlisted at the age of 14 under an assumed name in the Algerian Auxiliary Spahis Regiment commanded by his father, General Charles SARTON-Du-JONCHAY.
He was taken prisoner in Lille in October 1914, managed to escape but was recaptured and sentenced to death as a spy. However, he managed to join a group of civilian deportees and was repatriated to France in early 1915. Decorated for his bravery, he was appointed Maréchal des Logis, the youngest person to hold this rank.
Under his real name this time, he signed up again in December 1916 and served in the cavalry. By the end of the war, he was a Lieutenant with 7 commendations.
After the Armistice, he remained in the Army and took part in the Syrian campaign in 1921. Seriously wounded, he was unable to remain in the cavalry and turned to aviation. He obtained his pilot's licence in 1927 and was posted to the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Strasbourg as commander of the 1st Squadron.
He failed the entrance examination for the Ecole de guerre and retired as reserve commander in 1933.
He joined the Caudron company, then at the height of its glory, and gravitated in the world of aviation.
In 1939, he joined SNCASE as head of the aircraft reception department.
On mobilisation, he was assigned to the Air Staff and was responsible in particular for monitoring the assembly of the American Glenn-Martin 167F and Douglas Boston DB7 bombers.
After the German attack on 8 May, he joined a combat unit, GB I/62, at his own request, as second-in-command of the group. He took part in a few missions, however, and was wounded again; on 31 May 1940, his aircraft, Glenn Martin 167F No37, was shot down by enemy fighters.
After the Armistice of June 1940, he became actively involved in the collaboration movement. In particular, he was sent to North Africa by Laval to organise the Resistance to the Anglo-American invasion. On his return to France, he was decorated by Vichy for his actions. He joined Laval's government and encouraged French officers to join the LVF (Legion of French Volunteers), then the SS Charlemagne division.
At the time of the Liberation, he took refuge in Switzerland. Sentenced to death in absentia, he spent 15 years in exile in Spain and Argentina, and remained close to other Vichy exiles.
He was amnestied on 19 October 1959.
Born 23 December 1899 in Batna (Algeria)
Died August 10th 1987 at Langrune-Sur-Mer (14 - Calvados)
 
SEGEAT Pierre - Louis
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner

Seriously wounded on 26 May 1940 aboard Glenn Martin 167F No 89 shot down by ... French fighters. The GC II/3 which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62 mistook them for Dornier 17s, and shot down No 89, No 39 and damaged Nos 96, 129 and 74...
He was killed on 8 December 1941 while serving with the GR I/14.

Born on 4 August 1914 in Aulnay-sous-Bois (78 - Yvelines)
Killed on 8 December 1941 at Canet Plage (66 - Pyrénées-Orientales)
   
SELVA Joseph - Jean
Lieutenant
Pilot
On 6 June 1940, his aircraft, the Glenn Martin 167F No 25, was seriously damaged by flak. Lieutenant SELVA was wounded.
Born in Los Masos (66 - Pyrénées-Orientales) on 3 February 1903
Died at Toulouse (31 - Haute-Garonne) on 5 September 1966
 
TERRIE Robert - Gustave
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
On 26 May 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 39 was shot down in flames by... French fighters. GC II/3, which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62, mistook them for Dornier 17s, and shot down No 39, No 89 and damaged Nos 96, 129 and 74. Staff Sergeant TERRIE is killed.
Born on 21 September 1915 at La Calle (Algeria)
Killed on 26 May 1940 at Molliens-au-Bois (80 - Somme)
TOURNIE Armand
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On 26 May 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 39 was destroyed by ...French fighters! GC II/3, which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62, mistook them for Dornier 17s and shot down No 39 and No 89, damaging Nos 96, 129 and 74... Staff Sergeant TOURNIE parachuted but was taken prisoner on landing.
Born in Caylus (82 - Tarn-Et-Garonne) on 26 March 1914
Died at Narbonne (11 - Aude) on 1st March 2000
   
VANWORMHOUDT
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
On 12 June 1940, his aircraft, Glenn Martin 167F No 34, was seriously damaged by flak and crashed on landing. Master Corporal VANWORMHOUDT was wounded.    

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Crew
TERRIE Robert
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 39 : On 26 May 1940, Glenn Martin 167F No 39 was destroyed by the...French fighting! GC II/3, which was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62, mistook them for Dornier 17s and shot down No 39 and No 89, damaging Nos 96, 129 and 74... Staff Sergeant TOURNIE parachutes but is taken prisoner on landing. Staff Sergeant METRAUX also managed to jump by parachute, but it did not open. He was killed on reaching the ground. Staff Sergeant TERRIE was killed.
METRAUX Louis
Staff-Sergeant
Observer
TOURNIE Armand
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
PLANTIER Jules
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 89 : Shot down by the... French fighting. The GC II/3 that was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of the GB I/62 mistook them for Dornier 17s, and shot down n°89, n°39 and damaged n°96, 129 and 74... Staff Sergeant SEGEAT and Chief Warrant Officer Plantier were seriously wounded. Lieutenant Mallet was killed...
MALLET Alexandre
Lieutenant
Observer
SEGEAT Pierre
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 74 : Damaged by Flak on 26 May 1940. Lieutenant Langlois was wounded.
On 5 June 1940, the aircraft was shot down in flames by German fighter aircraft: Chief Warrant Officer GAUCHE was seriously injured.
LANGLOIS René
Lieutenant
Observer
GAUCHE René
Chief-Warrant Officer
Machine Gunner
Crew
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 96 : Damaged by... French Fighters! The GC II/3 that was to escort the 6 Glenn-Martin 167Fs of GB I/62 mistook them for Dornier 17s, and shot down n°89, n°39 and damaged n°96, 129 and 74... The pilot managed to bring the aircraft back to the ground, but Sergeant-Chef MARCHAND was seriously wounded.
Observer
MARCHAND Pierre
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
RIGAUX Maurice
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 147 : Shot down by the Flak on June 6, 1940. The crew is killed.
PAINCHAUX Pierre
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
HARDY Maxime
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 75 : Damaged in air combat on June 6, 1940. Staff-Sergeant BONTEMPS is injured.
Observer
BONTEMPS André
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
SELVA Joseph
Lieutenant
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 25 : Severely damaged by the Flak on June 6, 1940. Lieutenant SELVA is injured
Observer
Machine Gunner
Crew
BONNEFOUS Paul
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 161 : Shot by Flak on June 12, 1940. Chief Warrant Officer BONNEFOUS is killed. Lieutenant LANGLOIS and Sergeant POURKAT, wounded, are taken prisoner
LANGLOIS René
Lieutenant
Observer
POURKAT Robert
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
Pilot
Glenn Martin 167F No 34 : Severely damaged by the Flak on June 12, 1940, he crashed on landing. Master-Corporal VANWORMHOUDT is injured.
Observer
VANWORMHOUDT
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Meknès
Maroc
September 2, 1939
Blida
Algérie
September 3, 1939
Meknès
Maroc
November 16, 1939
Oran
Algérie
April 30, 1940
Marignane
13 - Bouches du Rhône
May 6, 1940
Orange Plan-De-Dieu
84 - Vaucluse
May 9, 1940
Claye-Souilly
77 -Seine et Marne
May 11, 1940
Evreux-Fauville
27 - Eure
May 18, 1940
Saint-Martin-La-Campagne
27 - Eure
May 20, 1940
Damville
27 - Eure
June 2, 1940
Châteauroux La Champenoise
36 - Indre
June 10, 1940
Cognac Segonzac
16 - Charente
June 14, 1940
Lézignan
11 - Aude
June 16, 1940
Oran
Algérie
June 18, 1940
Canrobert
Algérie
June 19, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GB I/62

 

 

 


Aircrafts

The GB I/62 was equipped since its creation, following aircrafts :

- Lioré & Olivier LeO 206
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 :

  • 1 Lioré & Olivier LeO 206
  • 24 Glenn Martin 167F

 


Casualties

Crewmen killed
7
Staff-Sergeant TERRIE (Combat)
May 26, 1940
Staff-Sergeant METRAUX (Combat)
May 26, 1940
Lieutenant MALLET (Combat)
May 26, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant PAINCHAUX (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant RIGAUX (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Sergeant HARDY (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer BONNEFOUS (Combat)
June 12, 1940
Crewmen injured
11
Chief Warrant Officer PLANTIER (Combat)
May 26, 1940
Staff-Sergeant SEGEAT (Combat)
May 26, 1940
Lieutenant LANGLOIS (Combat)
May 26, 1940
Staff-Sergeant MARCHAND (Combat)
May 26, 1940
Commander DU-JONCHAY
May 31, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer GAUCHE (Combat)
June 5, 1940
Staff-Sergeant BONTEMPS (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Lieutenant SELVA (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Lieutenant LANGLOIS (Combat)
June 12, 1940
Staff-Sergeant POURKAT (Combat)
June 12, 1940
Corporal-Chef VANWORMHOUDT (Combat)
June 12, 1940
Prisoner Crewmen
3
Staff-Sergeant TOURNIE
May 26, 1940
Lieutenant LANGLOIS
June 12, 1940
Staff-Sergeant POURKAT
June 12, 1940

 


Sources

- Mr Frédéric BENTLEY: Delegate of the Fondation de la France Libre - Information on Staff Sergeant Jean-Louis REYNAUD
- 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
- ...