Site in French

Bomber Group GB II/19

3rd Squadron
4th Squadron


Historical

On May 10, 1940, the GB II / 19 is stationed in North Africa, attached to the Bombardment Group No. 2.

In September 1940, GB II / 19 reproduces GB I / 19, which has just been disbanded. The Group, however, retains its own traditions.


Staff

Commanders of the group GB II/19
Commander HOUPERT Pierre  
Commander of the 3rd Squadron
Captain BONNEFONT
 
Commander of the 4th Squadron
Captain PROVOOST Jean  

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil-statut
Photos Citations & Decorations
BELLOCQ
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Injured in Air Combat May 22, 1940 aboard Douglas DB-7 No. 37
   
BEYNEY Louis - Albert
Adjutant
Pilot
The Douglas DB7 No. 5 was shot down by 9 Me109 on May 31, 1940. The crew was killed.
Born on 15 May 1911 at Champagnac de Belair (24 - Dordogne)
Killed on 31 May 1940 at Artemps (02 - Aisne)
 
BEZZINA Edgar - Ugo
Staff-Sergeant
Radio
Born on 11 January 1916 in Tunis (Tunisia)
Died in Kremlin-Bicêtre (94 - Val-De-Marne) on 19 November 1991
 
BONNEFONT
Captain
Cder 3rd Sqn.
   
DEFAYE Paul - André
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
The Douglas DB7 No. 35 was shot down by Fighters on June 13, 1940. Sub-Lieutenant DEFAYE was killed.
Born on 10 March 1914 at Boulogne-Billancourt (92 - Hauts de Seine)
Killed on 13 June 1940 at Léchelle (77 - Seine et Marne)
 
DELINEAU Emile - Roger
Staff-Sergeant
Observer
The Douglas DB7 No. 39 was shot down by 7 Me109 on 24 May 1940. Staff Sergeant DELINEAU parachuted and was taken prisoner.
Born on 3 May 1916 in Rouille (86 - Vienne)
Died at Pessac (33 - Gironde) on 9 April 1992
   
ESTEVE Fernand - Louis
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
The Douglas DB7 No. 35 was shot down by Fighters on June 13, 1940. Staff-Sergeant ESTEVE was killed.
Born on 8 December 1916 in Niozelles (04 - Alpes de Haute-Provence)
Killed on 13 June 1940 at Léchelle (77 - Seine et Marne)
 
FOLACCI Dominique - Antoine
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
The Douglas DB7 No. 26 was shot down by flak on June 8, 1940. Staff-Sergeant Follaci was killed.
Born on 9 April 1914 at Mendez (Algeria)
Killed at Soissons (02 - Aisne) on 6 June 1940
 
GUERIN
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
The Douglas DB7 No. 29 was shot down by the German Fighters on May 22, 1940. The crew was captured. Sergeant GUERIN is slightly injured.
 
GUNEPIN Gisèle
Sub-Lieutenant
Navigator
In April-May 1940, Gisdèle GUNEPIN voluntarily joined the French Air Force, taking advantage of the new law on female auxiliaries who wished to become pilots, to train at the Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Force School with pilots Jean-Marie-Adèle LEYDET and Elisabeth LION. Of the three, the only one with a transport pilot's licence and 100 hours' flying time was Elisabeth LION, as Gisèle GUNEPIN did not meet the conditions laid down by the law for auxiliaries who wanted to enlist as pilots. She therefore remained in service at GB II/19 (where she still was in 1943/1944) as a navigator and Jean-Marie-Adèle LEYDET was moved as a machine-gunner to GR I/14.
In 1944 Charles Tillon, Minister for the Air, created the first corps of female military pilots. Gisèle GUNEPIN was recruited along with twelve other highly experienced female aviators. After training in Châteauroux and a course of study in Tours, the 13 candidates, nicknamed ‘The 13 Amazons of the Air’, were all accepted. But the death of Maryse HILSZ on a mission put an end to this adventure for women, and it was not until 1996 that recruitment for women in the Air Force was reopened.
   
HOUPERT Pierre - Marie
Commander
Cder of Group
Born 9 July 1897, Nancy (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
Died at Essey lès Nancy (54 - Meurthe et Moselle) on 21 October 1982
   
HYVERT-DE-LIGNAC Henry - Jean
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
The Douglas DB7 No. 39 was shot down by 7 Me109 on 24 May 1940. Sergeant HYVERT-DE-LIGNAS was killed.
Born on 10 February 1916
Killed on 24 May 1940 at Les Essarts (62 - Pas de Calais)
 
LACOURIE Guy
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
The Douglas DB7 No. 29 was shot down by the German Fighters on May 22, 1940. The crew was captured. Staff Sergeant LACOURIE is seriously injured.
Born on 24 May 1916
Died 17 February 1953
 
LAJULE Pierre - Jules
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
The Douglas DB7 No. 5 was shot down by 9 Me109 on May 31, 1940. The crew was killed.
Born on 7 June 1913 at Narbonne (11 - Aude)
Killed on 31 May 1940 at Artemps (02 - Aisne)
 
LION Elisabeth
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Elisabeth LION obtained her pilot's licence in 1934, and soon took part in a number of competitions and record attempts, notably on board her Caudron Aiglon, registration number F-ANSK.
In April-May 1940, Elisabeth LION voluntarily joined the French Air Force, taking advantage of the new law on female auxiliaries who wished to become pilots, and trained at the Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Force School with pilots Gisèle Gunepin and Jean-Marie Adèle Leydet. Elisabeth was integrated into the 4th squadron of the GB II/19 bomber group. Of the three, she was the only one with a transport pilot's licence and 100 flying hours, the minimum requirements to be a pilot. But the debacle quickly contradicted her plans.
Élisabeth Lion did not accept defeat and joined the Resistance. In 1943, she was promoted to lieutenant for the duration of the war in the Free French Air Force (FAFL) before heading for Morocco.
In 1944 Charles Tillon, Minister for the Air, created the first corps of female military pilots. Elisabeth LION was recruited along with twelve other highly experienced female aviators. After training in Châteauroux and a course of study in Tours, the 13 candidates, nicknamed ‘The 13 Amazons of the Air’, were all accepted. But the death of Maryse HILSZ on a mission put an end to this adventure for women, and it was not until 1996 that recruitment for women in the Air Force was reopened.
Born on 11 December 1904 in Balan (08 - Ardennes)
Died in Magnanville (78 - Yvelines) on 9 January 1988
   
MALLE Jean - Auguste
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner

Wounded in Air Combat May 22, 1940 aboard Douglas DB-7 No. 23

Jean MALLE was killed on 3 June 1942 in an accident in Algiers.

Born on 15 March 1914 in Fougères (35 - Ille et Vilaine)
Killed on 3 June 1942 in Algiers
   
MAYER Richard
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
The Douglas DB7 No. 39 is shot down by 7 Me109 on May 24, 1940. Adjutant MAYER is killed.
Born in Courbevoie (92 - Hauts de Seine)
Killed on 24 May 1940 at Les Essarts (62 - Pas de Calais)
   
MAZON Louis
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
The Douglas DB7 No. 29 was shot down by the German Fighters on May 22, 1940. The crew was captured. Sub-Lieutenant MAZON, is injured.
 
MONTROZIER François - Joseph
Adjutant
Observer
The Douglas DB7 n ° 26 is shot down by the flak on June 8, 1940. Adjutant MONTROZIER parachutes, but this one does not open and he is killed while arriving on the ground.
Born on 18 March 1911 at Serrain (34 - Herault)
Killed on 6 June 1940 at Mercin et Vaux (02 - Aisne)
 
PICART Joseph - Marcel
Adjutant
Observer
The Douglas DB7 No. 5 was shot down by 9 Me109 on May 31, 1940. The crew was killed.
Born on 1 May 1910 at Lambézellec (29 - Finistère)
Killed on 31 May 1940 at Artemps (02 - Aisne)
 
PROVOOST Jean - Marie
Captain
Cder 4th Sqn.
Pilot
The Douglas DB7 n ° 26 is shot down by flak on June 8, 1940. Captain PROVOOST is unharmed.
Born in Angoulème (16 - Charente) on 24 February 1910
Died 8 June 1996 in Paris (75)
 
SCALEGEL André
Lieutenant
Observer
 
VINCENT Jean
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
The Douglas DB7 No. 35 was shot down by Fighters on June 13, 1940. Staff Sergeant VINCENT seriously injured, was taken prisoner.
 

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Crew
LACOURIE Guy
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Douglas DB7 No 29 : Shot down by German Fighters on May 22, 1940. The crew is taken prisoner. Sub-Lieutenant MAZON, and Staff Sergeant LACOURIE are seriously wounded, Sergeant GUERIN more lightly.
MAZON Louis
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
GUERIN
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
MAYER Richard
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Douglas DB7 No 39 : Shot down by German Fighters May 24, 1940. Adjutant MAYER and Sergeant HYVERT-DE-LIGNAS are killed. Staff Sergeant DELINEAU parachutes and is taken prisoner.
DELINEAU Emile
Staff-Sergeant
Observer
HYVERT-DE-LIGNAC Henri
Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
BEYNEY Louis
Adjutant
Pilot
Douglas DB7 No 5 : Shot down by the fighters May 31, 1940. The crew is killed.
PICART Joseph
Adjutant
Observer
LAJULE Pierre
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
PROVOOST Jean
Captain
Pilot
Douglas DB7 No 26 : Shot down by flak on June 8, 1940. Adjutant MONTROZIER and Staff-Sergeant FOLLACI are killed. The latter parachutes, but it does not open. Captain PROVOOST is unscathed
MONTROZIER François
Adjutant
Observer
FOLACCI Dominique
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner
Crew
ESTEVE Fernand
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Douglas DB7 No 35 : Shot down by Fighters on June 13, 1940. Staff Sergeant ESTEVE and Sub-Lieutenant DEFAYE are killed. Staff Sergeant VINCENT seriously injured, is taken prisoner.
DEFAYE Paul
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
VINCENT Jean
Staff-Sergeant
Machine Gunner

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Sétif
Algeria
August 26, 1939
Kalaa-Djerda
Tunisia
September 2, 1939
Blida
Algeria
September 20, 1939
Biskra
Algeria
October 31, 1939
Oran-La-Sénia
Algeria
April 2, 1940
Médiouna
Morocco
April 3, 1940
Alger Maison-Blanche
Algeria
May 17, 1940
Cazaux
33 - Gironde
May 18, 1940
Saint-Martin La-Campagne
27 - Eure
May 20, 1940
Evreux Damville
27 - Eure
May 25, 1940
Pithiviers Bléville
45 - Loiret
June 2, 1940
Bourges Le Subdran
18 - Cher
June 11, 1940
Agen La Garenne
47 - Lot et Garonne
June 15, 1940
Lézignan
11 - Aude
June 17, 1940
Blida
Algeria
June 17, 1940
Souk El-Arba
Morocco
June 21, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GB II/19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Aircrafts

The GB II/19 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 Bloch MB210
  • 12 Douglas DB7

 


Casualties

Crewmen killed
9
Chief Warrant Officer MAYER (Combat)
May 24, 1940
Sergeant HYVERT-DE-LIGNAC (Combat)
May 24, 1940
Adjutant PICART (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Adjutant BEYNET (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Staff-Sergeant LAJULE (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Adjutant MONTROZIER (Combat)
June 8, 1940
Staff-Sergeant FOLLACI (Combat)
June 8, 1940
Staff-Sergeant ESTEVE (Combat)
June 13, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant DEFAYE (Combat)
June 13, 1940
Crewmen injured
6
Sub-Lieutenant MAZON (Combat)
May 22, 1940
Sergnet GUERIN (Combat)
May 22, 1940
Staff-Sergeant LACOURIE (Combat)
May 22, 1940
Staff-Sergeant MALLE (Combat)
May 22, 1940
Staff-Sergeant BELLOCQ (Combat)
May 24, 1940
Staff-Sergeant VINCENT (combat)
June 13, 1940
Prisoner Crewmen
5
Sub-Lieutenant MAZON
22-May-40
Sergnet GUERIN
22-May-40
Staff-Sergeant LACOURIE
22-May-40
Staff-Sergeant DELINEAU
24-May-40
Staff-Sergeant VINCENT
13-juin-40

 


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
- ...