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Bomber Group GB II/31

3rd Squadron
4th Squadron


Historical

On May 10, 1940, the GB II / 31 is attached to Group No. 6 of the Southeast Bombing Aviation Training Group of the ZOAA (Alpine Air Operations Zone).


Staff

Commanders of the group GB II/31
Commander DELOZANNE Eugène
September 9, 1939
 
Commander BOILLOT
September 10, 1939
 
Commander MALAISE Pierre
 
Captain DU CHEMIN DE CHASSEVAL Gabriel
 
Captain RISSE André
 
Commander of the 3rd Squadron
Lieutenant CORNET Pierre
 
Captain RENNESSON Roger
 
Commander of the 4th Squadron
Lieutenant D'IRUMBERRY-De-SALABERRY Charles
 

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Etat Civil
Photos
Citations & Décorations
ALEXANDRE Jean
Staff Sergeant
Pilot
On June 13, 1940, the LéO 451 No. 275, severely damaged by the Flak, was destroyed on landing. The crew is unscathed.

 

 

 
AUBOURG Pierre - Maurice
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Born on 25 April 1912 in Chalette-Sur-Loing (45 - Loiret)
Died in Paris (75) on 3 January 2006
 
AUDREN Hector
Sergeant
Radio
After the Armistice, Hector AUDREN joined the Amarante Resistance as a radio operator. He was arrested twice by the French police, but managed to escape. He was finally arrested by the Gestapo in Le Mans, a few days before the town was liberated.
Hector AUDREN was deported and arrived at the Neuengamme camp on 31 July 1944. He was killed on 12 April 1945 in the Bergen-Belsen camp, three days before the camp was liberated...
Born 8 June 1917 in Pont-Croix (29 - Finistère)
Killed on 12 April 1945 in Bergen-Belsen (Germany)
 
BARDON Gilbert - Faiderbe
Master Corporal
Maxchine Gunner
On June 13, 1940, the LéO 451 No. 275, severely damaged by the Flak, was destroyed on landing. The crew is unscathed.
Born on 13 May 1918 in La Clotte (17 - Charente-Maritime)
Died at Salon-de-Provence (13 - Bouches-du-Rhône) on 22 February 1988
 
BEAUNE Robert - François
Sergeant
Cannoneer
Born in Saint-Doulchard (18 - Cher) on 10 July 1916
Died at Saint-Doulchard on 14 February 2005
 
BOILLOT
Commander
Cder of Group
 
BOZON André
Staff Sergeant
Radio
On 29 May 1940, LéO 451 No 128 was shot down by Flak. Staff Sergeant BOZON, the only survivor, was taken prisoner and interned in Stalag IIa before being repatriated by the Red Cross in 1942.
Born on 7 March 1914 in Oran (Algeria)
Died at Saint-Herblain (44 - Loire-Atlantique) on 3 June 1991
 
CALLAC Roger - Louis
Sergeant
Radio
On 31 May 1940, LéO 451 No 73 was shot down by fighter aircraft. Wounded, Sergeant CALLAC jumped by parachute.
Roger CALLAC was killed on 20 February 1945 at the controls of P51 No 4410884 while serving with GR II/33.
However, this last piece of information remains to be confirmed: to this day, I am not certain that Roger CALLAC, radio sergeant with GB II/31, was the same Roger CALLAC who became a pilot with GR II/33. If this were not the case, it would also call into question the date of birth and death opposite.
Born on 30 September 1917 in Neuilly-Seine (92 - Hauts-De-Seine)
Killed on 20 February 1945
 
CAUDRY Pierre
Staff Sergeant
Radio
- On May 31, 1940, the LeO. 451, No.268, was shot down by Fighters, and the crew unscathed parachutes.
 - On June 6, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 271 is shot down by Fighters. The men composing this crew are shot for the second time ... Staff Sergeant CAUDRY is seriously injured. "
 
CHAREIRE Jean - Jacques
Sub-Lieutenant
Machine Gunner
On September 9, 1939, Bloch 200 No. 163 was shot down by hunting near Saarbrücken. The crew is killed
Born on 23 April 1912 in Paris (75)
Killed on 9 September 1939 near Rohrbach-lès-Bitche (57 - Moselle)
 
CORNET Pierre
Lieutenant
Cdt 3eme Esc.
Pierre CORNET joined the French Air Force in 1934, and qualified as a pilot in 1936. He was admitted to the Versailles Air Academy in 1939.
In 1943, he joined the Groupe de Bombardement 2/20 ‘Bretagne’ of the Free French Forces. He was killed on 11 July 1944 when his aircraft was hit by enemy fighters and went up in flames. He stayed on board to allow the crew to jump out...
Born on 9 December 1907 in Tourcoing (59 - Nord)
Killed on 11 July 1944 at Monticelli d'Ongina (Italy)
DAUGE Pierre
Sergeant
Radio
4th Sqn.
On 31 May 1940, LéO 451 No 29 was shot down by hunters. Sergeant DAUGE was killed during the fight against the fighting.
Born on 1 March 1917 at Saint-Mathieu (87 - Haute-Vienne)
Killed on 31 May 1940 at Le Caule-Saint-Beuve (76 - Seine-Maritime)
DU CHEMIN DE CHASSEVAL Gabriel - Augustin
Captain
Cder of Group
Gabriel DU CHEMIN DE CHASSEVAL is a former student of the Saint-Cyr school, class ‘Du Rif’ 1924-1926.
Born on 8 January 1905 in La Bussière (45 - Loiret)
Died at Gien (45 - Loiret) on 25 September 1964
 
DE-LA-TOUR-DU-PIN VERCLAUSE Geoffroy - Marie
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
4th Sqn.
Born in Paris. He joined the French Air Force in 1935.
On May 31, 1940,LéO 451 No. 29 was shot down by Fighters. Lieutenant DE-LA-TOUR-DU-PIN is unharmed.
Born 8 July 1914 in Paris (75)
Died at Combourg (35 - Ille et Vilaine) on 23 December 1971
 
DELOZANNE Eugène - Emile
Commander
Cdt de Groupe
Crew Chief
On September 9, 1939, Bloch 200 No. 163 was shot down by hunting near Saarbrücken. The crew is killed
Born on 17 November 1894 in Morlaix (29 - Finistère)
Killed on 9 September 1939 near Rohrbach-lès-Bitche (57 - Moselle)
 
D'IRUMBERRY-DE-SALABERRY Charles - Bernard
Captain
Cdt 4th Sqn.
Pilot
4th Sqn.
On May 31, 1940, LéO 451 No. 29 was shot down by Fighters. Captain D'IRUMBERY-DE-SALABERRY is unscathed.
Born in Fossé (41 - Loir et Cher) on 1 February 1911
Died at Blois (41 - Loir et Cher) on 15 May 1971
 
DUBALEN Guy - Pierre
Lieutenant
Chief of board
Guy DUBALEN was killed on 20 March 1944 in Safi, Morocco.
Born on 6 December 1916 in Mali
Killed on 20 March 1944 in Safi (Morocco)
 
GAILLERES Jean - Martial
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
On September 9, 1939, Bloch 200 No. 163 was shot down by hunting near Saarbrücken. The crew is killed
Born on 13 February 1911 in Aureilhan (65 - Hautes-Pyrénées)
Killed on 9 September 1939 near Rohrbach-lès-Bitche (57 - Moselle)
 
JOLY Marcel - Gaston
Lieutenant
Pilot
On September 9, 1939, Bloch 200 No. 163 was shot down by hunting near Saarbrücken. The crew is killed
Born on 22 November 1911 in Cornimont (88 - Vosges)
Killed on 9 September 1939 near Rohrbach-lès-Bitche (57 - Moselle)
 
LE-MEZO Michel - Jean
Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
On May 31, 1940, the LeO 451 No. 73 was shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. Injured, Sergeant LE-MEZO parachuted.
Born 23 May 1919, Vannes (56 - Morbihan)
Died at Vannes (56 - Morbihan) on 19 April 1986
 
LOISELEUX Daniel - Maurice
Adjutant
Pilot
On May 31, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 73 was shot down by Fighters. Adjutant LOISELEUX, unscathed, parachutes.
Born on 10 October 1911 in Vouvray (37 - Indre et Loire)
Died in Bordeaux (33 - Gironde) on 12 April 1990
 
MAGNAN Maurice
Adjutant then Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
Maurice MAGNAN was attached to the GB I/31 before joining the GB II/31.
- On 31 May 1940, LéO 451 No 268 was shot down by fighter aircraft. The crew, unhurt, parachuted out.
- On 6 June 1940, LéO 451 No 271 was shot down by fighters. The men who made up this crew were shot down for the 2nd time... Chief Warrant Officer MAGNAN was unhurt,
 
MALAISE Pierre - Edouard
Commander
Cder of Group
Pierre Malaise took part in both world wars. After the armistice of 1918, he continued his commitment and took part in the Rif war and operations against the great Syrian revolt.
He took part in the French Campaign as part of the GB II/31.
After the Armistice, in July 1940, he joined the military cabinet of the Vichy air minister, before being transferred to the French embassy in Spain as a military attaché, but above all as a member of the air force intelligence service. This post enabled him to help French nationals escaping from France and interned in Spain. In 1942, he met General Giraud, who had taken refuge in the Free Zone after escaping from the fortress of Konigstein, and decided to join him. He left the French embassy and became his representative in Spain. He set up an intelligence service, which provided information to the Allies. He helped refugees to join the African Army, but also tried to persuade French resistance fighters to join General Giraud. Relations with General DE-GAULLE's services deteriorated: in 1944, he was accused of desertion, and tried in December 1946, but finally acquitted. Returning to civilian life, he joined an insurance company, where he worked for around twenty years.
Born 7 July 1898, Reims (51 - Marne)
Died at Eaubonne (95 - Val d'Oise) on 8 October 1971
MESPLES Raymond - Jean
Staff Sergeant
Radio

Raymond MESPLES joined the French Air Force in October 1935. Initially posted to the Moulins air base, he moved to the Istres air base in June 1936.
On 13 June 1940, LéO 451 No 275 was severely damaged by Flak and destroyed on landing. The crew was unharmed.
After the Armistice, it returned to Istres Air Base in October 1940, and in 1941 took part in the fighting in the Levant against the Free French forces. After the Allied landings in North Africa, he joined the Free French Air Force and was assigned to the ‘Gascogne’ bomber group, fighting in the Mediterranean theatre before taking part in the French and German campaigns.
At the end of the war, Raymond MESPLES was transferred to Germany until August 1946, when he was posted to the Mont-De-Marsan air base, where he remained until June 1954. He then went to Indochina and took part in the fighting until June 1955 before returning to Mont de Marsan. He was then transferred to the Airborne Troops School in Pau. In January 1958, he left for Algeria to fight with the Saharan Reconnaissance and Support Group.
In April 1959, he returned to the Pau Airborne Troops School, where he remained until the end of his career on 18 June 1962. He was then a major.
He was killed on 5 May 1965 in a traffic accident in Pau...

Born on 18 June 1916 in Oullins (69 - Rhône)
Died at Pau (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques) on 5 May 1965
 
MILLET Paul
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
- On May 31, 1940, the LeO 451, No. 268, was shot down by the German fighters. The crew, unscathed, parachutes.
 - On June 6, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 271 is shot down by Fighters. The men composing this crew are shot for the second time ... Lieutenant MILLET is unharmed.

 
MOSER Ferdinand - Marius
Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
On May 29, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 128 was shot down by the Flak. Sergeant MOSER is killed.
Born on 25 March 1913 at Neunkirchen (57 - Moselle)
Killed on 29 May 1940 at Cahon (80 - Somme)
PANTENIER Robert - Gabriel
Chief-Warrant-Officer
Radio
Born 28 May 1909, Lille (59 - Nord)
Died at Amiens (80 - Somme) on 26 May 1991
 
PETTON Eugène - Guillaume
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
On September 9, 1939, Bloch 200 No. 163 was shot down by hunting near Saarbrücken. The crew is killed
Born on 13 July 1906 in Plouarzel (29 - Finistère)
Killed on 9 September 1939 near Rohrbach-lès-Bitche (57 - Moselle)
 
PINON Théophile - Auguste
Adjutant
Cannoneer
Born on 25 August 1912 in Saint-Epain (37 - Indre et Loire)
Died in Paris (75) on 10 November 1989
 
PIOGER Raoul - Charles
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
On May 18, 1940, the LéO 451 n ° 94 was shot down by the French ... DCA. The crew evacuated the aircraft, but Chief Warrant Officer PIOGER drowned in the Marne
Born on 19 December 1907 in Paris (75)
Killed on 18 May 1940 at Meaux (77 - Seine et Marne)
 
PRE Roland - Joannes
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
On June 13, 1940, the LeO. 451 No. 275, severely damaged by the Flak, was destroyed on landing. The crew is unscathed.
Born on 26 December 1907 in Renaze (53 - Mayenne)
Died at Ballainvilliers (91 - Essone) on 27 April 1980
 
PROTEAU Marc - Julien
Staff Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
- On May 31, 1940, the LeO 451, No. 268, was shot down by the German fighters. The crew, unscathed, parachutes.
 - On June 6, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 271 is shot down by Fighters. The men composing this crew are shot for the second time ... Staff Sergeant PROTEAU is unharmed.
Born on 24 April 1916 in Rochefort (17 - Charente-Maritime)
Died in Paris (75) on 15 December 1996
 
RAPOPORT Eugène
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
On May 31, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 73 was shot down by Fighters. Sub-Lieutenant RAPOPORT unhamed, parachutes.
Born on 3 September 1911
Died 24 August 1949
 
RENNESSON Roger - Alphonse
Captain
Chief of Board and Cder 3rd Sqn.
Born in Nancy (54 - Meurthe et Moselle) on 19 February 1902
Died in Menton (06 - Alpes-Maritimes) on 22 February 1974
 
RESSEGUIER Léon - Pierre
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Born August 25, 1903 in Magalas (34 - Hérault)
Died at Sète (34 - Hérault) on 20 August 2001
 
REY René
Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
On May 31, 1940, the Leo 451 No. 29 was shot down by Fighters. Sergeant REY was seriously injured.
 
RISSE André
Captain
Cder of Group
André RISSE was posted to GB I/12 before joining GB II/31 to take command.
Born on 10 June 1903
Died 19 March 1966
 
SABOURDY Pierre - Marie
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
On May 29, 1940, the Leo 451 No128 was shot down by the Flak. Lieutenant SABOURDY is killed.
Born on 2 September 1913 in Paris (75)
Killed on 29 May 1940 at Cambron (80 - Somme)
TOURRES Pierre - Antoine
Adjutant
Pilot
Pierre TOURRES, a scholarship holder at the Caudron flying school, obtained his pilot's licence on 29 August 1931.
On 29 May 1940, LéO 451 No 128 was shot down by Flak. Warrant Officer TOURRES managed to evacuate the aircraft, but was killed before reaching the ground. His body, hanging from a tree, was not found until 20 July...
Born on 30 December 1911 at Tassin La Demi-lune (69 - Rhône)
Killed on 29 May 1940 at Abbeville (80 - Somme)

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Crew
JOLY Marcel
Lieutenant
Pilot
Bloch 200 No 163 : Shot down during an air fight near Saarbrücken on September 9, 1939: the crew is killed
DELOZANNE Eugène
Commander
Crew Chief
CHARREIRE Jean
Sub-Lieutenant
Machine Gunner
PETTON Guillaume
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine Gunner
GAILLERES Jean
Adjutant
Machine Gunner
PIOGER Raoul
Chief Warrant Officer
Radio
LéO 451 No 94 : Shot down by ... French DCA May 18th, 1940. The crew evacuated the aircraft, but Chief Warrant Officer PIOGER drowned in the Marne
Crew
TOURRES Pierre
Adjutant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 128 : Shot down by Flak on May 29, 1940. Lieutenant SABOURDY, Adjutant TOURRES and Sergeant MOSER are killed. Staff Sergeant BOZON is taken prisoner
SABOURDY Pierre
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
BOZON André
Staff Sergeant
Radio
MOSER Ferdinand
Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
Crew
LOISELEUX Daniel
Adjutant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 73 : Shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. The crew parachutes. Sergeant CALLAC and Sergeant LE-MEZO are injured
RAPOPORT Eugène
Sub-Lieutenant
Crew Chief
CALLAC Roger
Sergeant
Radio
LE-MEZO Michel
Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
Crew
MAGNAN Maurice
Adjutant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 268 : Shot down by Fighters May 31, 1940. The crew, unscathed, parachute.
MILLET Paul
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
CAUDRY Pierre
Staff Sergeant
Radio
PROTEAU Marc
Staff Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
Crew
D'IRUMBERY-DE-SALABERRY Charles
Captain
Pilot
LéO 451 No 29 : Shot down by Fighters on May 31, 1940. Sergeant DAUGE is killed. Sergeant REY is seriously injured. Lieutenant DE-LA-TOUR-DU-PIN and Captain D'IRUMBERY-DE-SALABERRY are unscathed.
DE-LA-TOUR-DU-PIN VERCLAUSE Geoffroy
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
DAUGE Pierre
Sergeant
Radio
REY René
Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
Crew
MAGNAN Maurice
Chief Warrant Officer
Pilot
LéO 451 No 271 : Shot down by Fighters on June 6, 1940. This crew is shot down for the second time ... The crew is unscathed, only the Staff Sergeant CAUDRY is seriously injured.
MILLET Paul
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
CAUDRY Pierre
Staff Sergeant
Radio
PROTEAU Marc
Staff Sergeant
Maxchine Gunner
Crew
ALEXANDRE Jean
Staff Sergeant
Pilot
LéO 451 No 275 : Severely damaged by the Flak on June 13, 1940, the aircraft was destroyed on landing. The crew is unscathed.
PRE Roland
Lieutenant
Crew Chief
MESPLES Raymond
Staff Sergeant
Radio
BARDON Gilbert
Master Corporal
Maxchine Gunner

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Marigny Le grand
51 - Marne
August 26, 1939
Vimory
45 - Loiret
September 18, 1939
Lézignan
11 - Aude
December 9, 1939
Claye-Souilly
77 - Seine et Marne
May 18, 1940
Chartres
28 - Eure et Loir
May 21, 1940
Til-Châtel
21 - Côte d'Or
June 1, 1940
Dôle Tavaux
39 - Jura
June 13, 1940
Istres
13 - Bouches du Rhône
June 15, 1940
Arles Les Chanoines
13 - Bouches du Rhône
June 16, 1940
Istres
13 - Bouches du Rhône
June 24, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GB II/31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Aircrafts

The GB II/31 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 :

  • 1 Bloch MB200
  • 13 Lioré & Olivier LeO451

 


Casualties

Crewmen killed
10
Commander DELOSANNE (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Lieutenant JOLY (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Sub-Lieutenant CHARREIRE (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Chief Warrant Officer PETTON (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Adjutant GAILLERES (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Chief Warrant Officer PIOGER (Méprise)
May 18, 1940
Lieutenant SABOURDY (Combat)
May 28, 1940
Adjutant TOURRES (Combat)
May 28, 1940
Sergeant MOSER (Combat)
May 28, 1940
Sergeant DAUGE (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Crewmen injured
4
Sergeant CALLAC (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Sergeant LE-MEZO (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Sergeant REY (Combat)
May 31, 1940
Staff Sergeant CAUDRY (Combat)
June 6, 1940
Crewmen prisoner
1
Staff Sergeant BOZON
May 28, 1940

 


Sources

- 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
- ...