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Reconnaissance Group GR I/52
1st Squadron
2nd Squadron


Historical

On the date of the outbreak of the German attack of May 10, 1940, the GR I / 52 is attached to the 3rd Air Division of the "Air Forces Reserves" of the ZOAE (East Air Operations Area).

The GR I / 52 is first dissolved after the Armistice, before being reformed in September 1940. It is one of three Recognition Groups equipped with Potez 63-11 to be based overseas

 


Staff

Commanders of the group GR I/52
Captain POINSOT
 
Captain MASSIE Roger
 
Lieutenant-Colonel D'ARNAUD DE-VITROLLES René
October 1939
April 1940
 
Commander FAYE Léon
April 1940
May 7, 1940
 
Commander MARTRE Marcel
May 8, 1940
 
Commander of the 1st Squadron
Lieutenant BERTAUX Maurice
June 2, 1940
 
Lieutenant LAYEC Gilbert
June 3, 1940
 
Commander of the 2nd Squadron
Lieutenant GUILLOCHON  
Lieutenant FOURQUET Michel

 

 


Personnel

Pilots and crew of the Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Sqn.
Informations
Civil Statut
Photos
Citations
BARBIER Léo - Arthur
Adjutant
Pilot

On March 24th, 1940, the Potez 637 No.36 is shot down during a fight opposing it to 4 Me109. The plane crashes to the ground. Adjutant BARBIER is injured

Léo BARBIER, then Second Lieutenant, was killed on 15 October 1943 in Russia while serving with the Normandy-Niemen Fighter Group.

Born on 18 August 1908 in Neuilly-l'Evèque (52 - Haute-Marne)
Killed on 15 October 1943 in Ivanovo (Russia)
 
BERTAUX Maurice - Joseph
Captain
Pilot
EM 1st Sqn.
On June 2, 1940, during a test flight, Bloch MB 174 No.29 went into a spin and crashed to the ground. The crew was killed.
Born on 16 April 1910 at Saint-Seine en Bâche (21 - Côte d'Or)
Killed on 2 June 1940 at Pleurs (51 - Marne)
 
BIOUSSE Henri
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
 
BLANCHOT Hubert - Armand
Staff-Sergeant
Mécanicien
1st Sqn.
On June 2, 1940, during a test flight, Bloch MB 174 No.29 went into a spin and crashed to the ground. The crew was killed.
Born on 16 February 1914 at Jasney (70 - Haute-Saône)
Killed on 2 June 1940 at Pleurs (51 - Marne)
 
BOULAY
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
May 7, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.40 crashes shortly after takeoff. The aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unscathed.    
BRABANT Roger - Jules
Lieutenant
Observer
May 13, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.11 is shot down by 3 Me109. The crew is killed.
Born on 1st June 1909 at Valenciennes (59 - Nord)
Killed at Niecy (55 - Meuse) on 13 May 1940
 
BRARD Raymond - Robert
Adjutant
Pilot
On September 26, 1939, the Potez 637 No.46 is shot down by German fighters and the Flak. Adjutant BRARD wounded, parachute but is taken prisoner, Born on 5 August 1911  
BRUGEROLLES Elie
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On March 24th, 1940, the Potez 637 No.36 is shot down during a fight opposing it to 4 Me109. The plane crashes to the ground. Sub-Lieutenant BRUGEROLLES is killed.
Born on 18 March 1912 at Asnières (27 - Eure)
Killed at Armesvillers on 24 March 1940
 
BRUNERIE Roger - Lucien
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On May 25, 1940, returning from a night mission, the Potez 637 No.35 crashes on landing. Sub-Lieutenant BRUNERIE, injured, is the only survivor.
Born in Paris on 2 November 1916
Died in Toulouse (31 - Haute-Garonne) on 16 April 1972
 
BUTZ Alphonse - Paul
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On May 25, 1940, returning from a night mission, the Potez 637 No.35 crashes on landing. Staff Sergeant BUTZ is killed.
Born on 17 January 1908 at Neuves-maisons (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
Killed on 25 May 1940 at Vengiron d'Attigny (08 - Ardennes)
 
CAMPMAS
Master-Corporal
Machine-Gunner
CANONNE
Sergeant
Pilot
On September 6, 1939, returning from a night mission in bad weather, the Potez 637 No.47 must land in the campaign on the belly and is destroyed.The crew is unscathed.    
CARLIER
Lieutenant
Observer
   
CHAMPEAUX Julien - Robert
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Sub-Lieutenant CHAMPEAUX will be killed on 30/12/1941 in Rabat (Morocco) during the test of a Glenn Martin 167F. This aircraft was equipped with aerodynamic brakes. These were forgotten in the open position, preventing the aircraft from reaching take-off speed. They hit a tree and a house. Two of the four crew members were killed in the accident.
Born on 1 April 1912 in Reims (51 - Marne)
Killed at Rabat (Morocco) on 30 December 1941
CUGNOT Georges - Albert
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
With a civilian pilot's licence in his pocket, Georges CUGNOT joined the French Air Force in January 1936 for three years. In 1937, he was attached to the GR I/52. During the French Campaign, he flew 19 reconnaissance missions, including 7 at night. At the command of a Dewoitine D520, he managed to rejoin his unit, which had been transferred to North Africa. He later joined the FAFL and was assigned to transport squadrons. After the war, he pursued a busy flying career, notably at the controls of a venerable Junker 52. Source: Mr T. CUGNOT, his son, via the website http://www.aviation-memorial.com/Aviation/Cugnot/index.html
Born in Blénod Les Toul (54 - Meurthe et Moselle) on 16 April 1915
Died at Bretagne-de-Marsan (40 - Landes) on 5 July 2000
DENAIN Jacques - Edouard
Adjutant
Pilot
Jacques DENAIN is one of the sons of General DENAIN, former Minister of Air. He wanted his two sons to fight in the GR I/52: the two brothers were killed 12 days apart .
- May 7, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.40 crashes shortly after takeoff. The aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unscathed.
- May 13, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.11 is shot down by 3 Me109. The crew is killed.
Born in Paris on 1 August 1912
Killed on 13 May 1940 at Nicey (55 - Meuse)
 
DENAIN Jean
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
JEAN DENAIN is one of the sons of General DENAIN, former Minister of Air. He wanted his two sons to fight in the GR I/52: the two brothers were killed 12 days apart .
On May 25, 1940, returning from a night mission, the Potez 637 No.35 crashes on landing. Staff Sergeant DENAIN is killed.
Born on 8 April 1916 at Boulogne-Billancourt (92 - Hauts de Seine)
Killed on 25 May 1940 at Attigny (08 - Ardennes)
   
D'ARNAUD DE-VITROLLES René - Marie
Lieutenant-Colonel
Observer
Staff Group

René D'ARNAUD DE VITROLLES started out as an infantryman and took part in the fighting of the 1st World War. He eventually joined the French Air Force and passed his pilot's licence in 1922. He took part in a record attempt with Coste: Paris - Aswan 3400 kms... On mobilisation, he commanded a Bombardment Group in Marrakech, before taking command of GR I/52.
After the Armistice, he joined the French Interior Forces and became part of the "Alliance" organisation. Arrested by the Germans, he was imprisoned in Lyon, but managed to escape to London and then to General Giraud in Algiers.
After the war, he was in charge of Air Maroc, then the 3 Région Aérienne in Bordeaux, the Ecoles de l'Armée de l'Air in Paris, and finally the 5eme Région Aérienne in Algiers.
He then spent 24 years as mayor of Vitrolles.

On March 16, 1940, the Potez 637 is hit by the flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot being wounded, it is the Lieutenant-Colonel DE-VITROLLES who thanks to the double-orders, succeeds to return and to land without encumbrance on his ground.

Born on 1 January 1899 in Marseille (13 - Bouches du Rhône)
Died on 24 September 1993

 
DU TERTRE
Lieutenant
Observer
On September 6, 1939, returning from a night mission in bad weather, the Potez 637 No.47 must land in the campaign on the belly and is destroyed.The crew is unscathed.    
DUMAS Hubert - Marius
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On March 24th, 1940, the Potez 637 No.36 is shot down during a fight opposing it to 4 Me109. The plane crashes to the ground Sergeant DUMAS badly wounded, will die soon after.
Born on 25 May 1918 at Raon-l'Etape (88 - Vosges)
Killed on 25 March 1940 at the Saint-Louis Les Bitche Supplementary Hospital (57 - Moselle)
 
FAYE Léon
Commander
Observer
Staff Group
Léon FAYE took part in the fighting of the First World War as a gunner. He ended the war as a Second Lieutenant.
It was not until February 1925 that he joined the French Air Force and obtained his observer's licence.
Between 1930 and 1934, he commanded the 3rd, 6th and 37th Aviation Regiments. In 1937, he joined the Ecole Supérieure de Guerre Aérienne, graduating top of his class.
During the French Campaign, he took command of GR I/52 from March to May 1940.
After the Armistice, as an active fighter in the Alliance resistance organisation, he was arrested and deported to Germany in November 1943. In January 1945, he was interned in Sonnenburg prison and was murdered by the Germans as Soviet troops approached.

May 7, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.40 crashes shortly after takeoff. The aircraft is destroyed, but the crew is unharmed, Commander FAYE being slightly injured.

Born on 10 June 1899 in Vergt (24 - Dordogne)
Killed on 30 January 1945 in Sonnenburg (Germany)
   
FEVRIER Jules - Henri
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
On April 20, 1940, his aircraft, the Bloch MB174 No.31 is shot down by German Fighters. The crew is killed
Born in Carpentras (84 - Vaucluse) on 16 April 1901
Killed on 20 April 1940 at Turquestein Blancrupt (57 - Moselle)
 
FOURQUET Michel
Lieutenant
Pilot
EM 2nd Sqn.
Michel FOURQUET chose a career in the French Air Force after graduating from the Ecole Polytechnique.
During the French Campaign, he commanded the 2nd Escadrille of GR I/52. He left the Armistice Army in January 1941.
He then joined the "Alliance" movement for a time before moving to London, where he became second-in-command of the FAFL, then Commander of the "Lorraine" Group under the pseudonym "Gorri".
After the war, he continued his career in the French Air Force, and was appointed to President Charles de Gaulle's General Staff. He refused to take part in the General putsch in Algiers in April 1961.
Appointed Air Corps General, he held a number of senior positions before becoming Chief of Staff of the French Army in April 1968, replacing General Charles Ailleret who was killed in a plane crash. Michel FOURQUET left active service in September 1971 with the rank of Air Force General.
Born on 9 June 1914 in Brussels
Died in Neuilly sur Seine on 20 November 1992.
 
FULCRAND Jean - Kleber
Lieutenant
Observer
- On 19 May 1940, Bloch MB174 No. 8 was shot down by German fighters and crashed to the ground, killing the crew.
Born on 5 February 1913 at Montbazin (34 - Hérault)
Killed on 19 May 1940 at Vaudesincourt (51 - Marne)
   
GABRY Roger - Jules
Captain
Pilot
 
Assigned to the CIR of Rennes from 9 September 1939 to 7 June 1940, he joined the GR I/52 on 11 June 1940 as Deputy Commander of the Group.
When the Group was dissolved at the end of 1942, he joined the GR I/22.
He was killed by accident in July 1943 in Morocco during a test of a Douglas DB7
Born 23 June 1911 in Bougemont (25 - Doubs)
Died at Khemisset (Morocco) on 10 July 1943
   
GRAND Marie
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
- On 19 May 1940, Bloch MB174 No. 8 was shot down by German fighters and crashed to the ground. The crew was killed.
Born on 29 March 1907 at Longuyon (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
Killed on 19 May 1940 at Vaudesincourt (51 - Marne)
   
GUILLOCHON
Lieutenant
EM 2nd Sqn.
   
GUYOT
Chief-Warrant-Officer
Pilot
 
HEITZ Erwin - Joseph
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On September 26, 1939, the Potez 637 No.46 is shot down by German Fighters and the Flak. Sergeant HEILTZ is killed at his machine-gunner position by the Me109.
Born on 29 March 1916 in Riffer (68 - Haut-Rhin)
Killed on 26 September 1939 at Sigmaringen
 
HUBIN Lucien
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
1st Sqn.
On June 2, 1940, during a test flight, Bloch MB 174 No.29 went into a spin and crashed to the ground. The crew was killed.
Born on 7 June 1919 at Longwy (54 - Meurthe et Moselle)
Killed on 2 June 1940 at Pleurs (51 - Marne)
 
HURTEVENT Henri - Alexis
Chief-Warrant-Officer
Observer
Henri HURTEVENT died of illness on 24 February 1941.
Born 27 November 1904, Vendin le Vieil (62 - Pas de Calais)
Died 24 February 1941 at Marseille (13 - Bouches du Rhône)
 
LABOURDETTE Abel - Alexis
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
May 13, 1940, Bloch MB174 No.11 is shot down by 3 Me109. The crew is killed.
Born on 24 February 1908 at Estos (64 - Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Killed on 13 May 1940 at Nicey (55 - Meuse)
 
LAGARDE René - Louis
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
On September 26, 1939, the Potez 637 No.46 is shot down by German Fighters and the Flak. Chief Warrant Officer LAGARDE parachutes, but too low and kills himself when he gets to the ground.
Born on 26 July 1901 at Saint-Gratien Savigny (58 - Nièvre)
Killed on 26 September 1939 at Sigmaringen)
 
LANEUZE Pierre - Maurice
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
On April 20, 1940, his aircraft, the Bloch MB174 No.31 is shot down by German Fighters. The crew is killed
Born on 25 April 1915 at Saint-Yrieux (16 - Charente)
Killed on 20 April 1940 at Turquestein Blancrupt (57 - Moselle)
 
LAYEC Gilbert - Marie
Lieutenant
Pilot
EM 1st Sqn.

- On March 16, 1940, the Potez 637 is hit by the flak during a low-altitude mission. The Lieutenant LAYEC being wounded, it is the Observer who thanks to the double-commands, succeeds to return and to land without encumbrance on his ground.
- June 15, 1940, his camera, a Bloch MB 174 is damaged by the Flak, but he manages to bring it back to the ground. Lieutenant LAYEC is unharmed.

He was killed on 20 October 1943 in England during a training flight while serving with the FAFL in RAF Fighter Group Alsace - 341.

Born on 20 June 1915 in Saint-Gildas de Rhuys (56 - Morbihan)
Killed on 23 October 1943 at Perramporth (England)
 
LE-SAOUT Henri - François
Adjutant
Pilot
- On October 3, 1939, Potez 637 No.39 was badly damaged by the Flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot managed to join the French lines, but crashed on landing. The crew is unscathed.
- December 21, 1939, the Potez 637 No.41 is shot down by German Fighters and crushes on the ground. The crew is killed
Born on 1 May 1910 in Brest (29 - Finistère)
Killed on 21 December 1939 at Barembach (67 - Bas-Rhin)
   
MARTRE Marcel - François
Commander
Observer
Staff Group
In 1936, Marcel MARTRE was appointed Air Force Lieutenant in Brazzaville.
He returned to Metropolitan France in 1938 and took part in the French Campaign as Commander of GR I/52 from May 1940.
Marcel MARTRE joined the Free French Forces and took part in the fighting with the French expeditionary corps and the Provence landings.
After the war, he attended the Ecole de Guerre, then took part in the Indochina War. He was Inter-Allied Commander in Europe and was responsible for the 2nd administrative office in Fontainebleau. He was also Chief of Staff of the Air Force in Germany.
Appointed Air Brigadier General in 1958, he was appointed Commander of the 3rd Air Zone in Bordeaux in April 1961.
He was appointed Air Division General in 1962.

June 15, 1940, his camera, a Bloch MB 174 is damaged by the Flak, but he manages to bring it back to the ground. Captain MARTRE is injured

Born on 5 December 1910 in Villelongue la Salanque (66 - Pyrénées Atlantiques)
Died in Boulogne Billancourt (92 - Haut de Seine) on 30 June 2003
 
MASSIE Roger
Captain
Observer
Staff Group
Born on 20 June 1905
Killed on 5 December 1950
 
MELOT jean
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
- On September 6, 1939, returning from a night mission in bad weather, the Potez 637 No.47 must land in the campaign on the belly and is destroyed.The crew is unscathed.
- On October 3, 1939, Potez 637 No.39 was badly damaged by the Flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot managed to join the French lines, but crashed on landing. The crew is unscathed
- On December 21, 1939, Potez 637 No.41 was shot down by German fighters and crashed to the ground. The crew is killed
Born on 25 July 1912 at Montbard (21 - Côte d'Or)
Killed on 21 December 1939 at Barembach (67 - Bas-Rhin)
   
MOUGEL Paulin - Joseph
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
- Injured during an air fight on September 9, 1939
- On April 20, 1940, his aircraft, the Bloch MB174 No.31 is shot down by German Fighters. The crew is killed
Born on 22 October 1910 at Rupt-sur-Moselle (88 - Vosges)
Killed on 20 April 1940 at Turquestein Blancrupt (57 - Moselle)
 
POINSOT
Captain
Staff Group
   
POULARD Lucien - François      
Initially a car mechanic, Lucien POULARD joined the French Air Force in 1937.
During the French Campaign, he was attached to the GR I/52. Demobilised in September 1940, he joined the Nice telegraph service.
In February 1942, his former Chief, Commandant Faye, contacted him to ask him to join the "Alliance" organisation: he first took the pseudonym "Mathurin" and then "Nandou" after a wave of arrests.
He was arrested in turn on 24 September 1943. First interned in Fresnes prison, he was deported to Germany on 16 December 1943. Tried for spying for an enemy power, he was sentenced to death and shot on 21 August 1944 at the Schlieffen barracks in Heilbronn.

Born in Paris on 2 December 1917
Killed on 21 August 1944 in Heilbronn (Germany)

   
RAGUANT
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
On March 16, 1940, the Potez 637 is hit by the flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot being injured, it is the Observer who thanks to the double-controls, manages to return and land safely on his ground. Staff-Sergeant RAGUANT is unharmed.    
ROZES Paul - Marie
Lieutenant
Pilot
A former student of the Ecole Polytechnique, he fought with the GR I/52 during the French Campaign and later joined the 34th Medium Bombardment Wing of the FAFL. He also took part in the Italian Campaign.
Born in Agen (47 - Lot et Garonne) on 22 July 1913
Died in Neuilly sur Seine (92 - Haut de Seine) on 13 October 1983
 
RUAS
Capiain
Observer
Artillery Detached Observer
   
VERON Adrien - Marcel
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
- On October 3, 1939, Potez 637 No.39 was badly damaged by the Flak during a low-altitude mission. The Pilot managed to join the French lines, but crashed on landing. The crew is unscathed
- December 21, 1939, the Potez 637 No.41 is shot down by the hunt and crushes on the ground. The crew is killed
Born in Dijon (21 - Côte d'Or) on 6 April 1902
Killed on 21 December 1939 at Barembach (67 - Bas-Rhin)
   
ZINCK Emile
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
May 19, 1940, the Bloch MB174 No.8 is shot down by German Fighters and crushes on the ground. The crew is killed.
Born in Strasbourg on 22 February 1908
Killed on 19 May 1940 at Vaudesincourt (51 - Marne)
   

 

 

Stories of crews

Crews of Group
Names of crew members
Rank
Function
Informations
Crew
BERTAUX Maurice
Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 637 n°45
CARLIER
Lieutenant
Observer
Crew
CANONNE
Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 637 n°47 :Aircraft accident, placed on the stomach on September 6, 1939
DU TERTRE
Lieutenant
Observer
MELOT Jean
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
BRARD Raymond
Adjutant
Pilot
Potez 637 n°46 : Destroyed in air combat on September 26, 1939. Chief Warrant Officer LAGARDE and Sergeant HEILTZ are killed. Adjutant BRARD wounded is taken prisoner
LAGARDE René
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
HEITZ Erwin
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LE-SAOUT Henri
Adjutant
Pilot

Potez 637 n° 39 : Destroyed by the Flak on October 3, 1939. The crew is unscathed

VERON Adrien
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
MELOT jean
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LE-SAOUT Henri
Adjutant
Pilot

Potez 637 n° 41 : Shot down by German Fighters December 21, 1939. The crew is killed

VERON Adrien
Chief Warrant Officer
Observer
MELOT jean
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LAYEC Gilbert
Lieutenant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° ? : Damaged March 16, 1940. The wounded Pilot, it is the Lieutenant-Colonel DE-VITROLLES who manages to bring back the Aircraft thanks to the double-command
D'ARNAUD DE-VITROLLES René
Lieutenant-Colonel
Observer
RAGUANT
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
BARBIER Léo
Adjutant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 36 : Shot down by BF109E on March 24, 1940. Sergeant DUMAS and Sub-Lieutenant BRUGEROLLES are killed. Adjutant BARBIER is injured
BRUGEROLLES Elie
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
DUMAS Hubert
Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
FEVRIER Jules
Sub-Lieutenant
Pilot
Bloch MB174 n° 31 : Shot down in aerial combat by a BF109E patrol on April 20, 1940. Crew killed
LANEUZE Pierre
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
MOUGEL Paulin
Chief Warrant Officer
Machine-Gunner
Crew
DENAIN Jacques
Adjutant
Pilot
Bloch MB174 n° 40 :Destroyed by accident at take off on May 7, 1940. The crew is unharmed, except Commander FAYE who is slightly injured
FAYE Léon
Commander
Observer
BOULAY
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
DENAIN Jacques
Adjutant
Pilot
Bloch MB174 n° 11 : Shot down in air combat on May 13, 1940. The crew is killed.
BRABANT Roger
Lieutenant
Observer
LABOURDETTE Alexis
Adjutant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
CUGNOT Georges
Sergent
Pilote
Bloch MB174 : Attacked by Messerschmitt BF109s, the crew managed to shoot down one aircraft and damage another. The aircraft returned to the field heavily damaged, but the crew was unharmed
CHAMPEAUX Julien
Sous-Lieutenant
Observateur
CAMPMAS
Caporal-Chef
Mitrailleur
Crew
GRAND Marie
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Bloch MB174 n° 8 : Shot down in air combat on May 19, 1940. The crew is killed.
FULCRAND Jean
Lieutenant
Observer
ZINCK Emile
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
DENAIN Jean
Staff-Sergeant
Pilot
Potez 637 n° 35 : Crashes when landing on May 25, 1940, returning from a night flight. Staff-Sergeants DENAIN and BUTZ are killed. The Sub-Lieutenant BRUNERIE is injured.
BRUNERIE Roger
Sub-Lieutenant
Observer
BUTZ Paul
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
BERTAUX Maurice
Captain
Pilot
Bloch MB 174 n° 29 : Destroyed by accident on June 2, 1940. The crew is killed.
BLANCHOT Hubert
Staff-Sergeant
Mechanic
HUBIN Lucien
Staff-Sergeant
Machine-Gunner
Crew
LAYEC Gilbert
Lieutenant
Pilot
Bloch MB 174 n° ? : Damaged by Flak on June 15, 1940. Captain MARTRE is injured
MARTRE Marcel
Captain
Observer

 


Airfield

Airfields
Period of use of airfields
Names
County
Nancy-Azelot
54 - Meurthe et Moselle
August 28, 1939
Chaumont Semoutiers
52 - Haute-Marne
August 31, 1939
Auzainvilliers
88 - Vosges
September 17, 1939
Saint-Dizier
52 - Haute-Marne
April 2, 1940
Feurs
42 - Loire
May 11, 1940
Châtillon-Sur-Seine
21 - Côte d'Or
June 11, 1940
Bourges Le Subdray
18 - Cher
June 13, 1940
Limoges / Bergerac
87 - Haute-vienne
June 16, 1940
Lézignan
11 - Aude
June 19, 1940
Perpignan / Alger
66 - Pyrénées orientales
Algérie
June 20, 1940
Oran La-Sénia
Algérie
June 22, 1940
Oulad-Okba
Maroc
June 23, 1940

Click on the map to enlarge :

Itinerary of the GR I/52

 


Aircrafts

The GR I/52 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 :

  • 8 Potez 637
  • 2 Potez 63-11
  • 7 Bloch MB174

Casualties

Crewmen killed
21
Chief Warrant Officer LAGARDE (Combat)
September 26, 1939
Sergeant HEILTZ (Combat)
September 26, 1939
Chief Warrant Officer VERON (Combat)
December 21, 1939
Adjutant LE SAOULT (Combat)
December 21, 1939
Staff-Sergeant MELOT (Combat)
December 21, 1939
Sub-Lieutenant BRUGEROLLES (Combat)
March 24, 1940
Sergeant DUMAS (Combat)
March 24, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant LANEUZE (Combat)
April 20, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant FEVRIER (Combat)
April 20, 1940
Chief Warrant Officer MOUGEL (Combat)
April 20, 1940
Lieutenant BRABANT (Combat)
May 13, 1940
Adjutant DENAIN (Combat)
May 13, 1940
Adjutant LABOURDETTE (Combat)
May 13, 1940
Lieutenant FULCRAND (Combat)
May 19, 1940
Staff-Sergeant GRAND (Combat)
May 19, 1940
Staff-Sergeant ZINCK (Combat)
May 19, 1940
Staff-Sergeant DENAIN (Accident)
May 25, 1940
Staff-Sergeant BUTZ (Accident)
May 25, 1940
Captain BERTAUX (Accident)
June 2, 1940
Staff-Sergeant HUBIN (Accident)
June 2, 1940
Staff-Sergeant BLANCHOT (Accident)
June 2, 1940
Crewmen injured
7
Adjutant MOUGEL (Combat)
September 9, 1939
Adjutant BRARD (Combat)
September 26, 1939
Lieutenant LAYEC (Combat)
March 16, 1940
Adjutant BARBIER (Combat)
March 24, 1940
Commander FAYE (Accident)
May 7, 1940
Sub-Lieutenant BRUNERIE (Accident)
May 25, 1940
Captain MARTRE (Combat)
June 15, 1940
Crewmen prisoners
1
Adjutant BRARD
26 septembre 1939

 


Sources

- Mr Thierry CUGNOT : Staff-Sergeant Georges CUGNOT was his Father
- Mr Joel GARRON : Captain Roger GABRY was his maternal grandfather
- 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
- ...