Although decided on September
28, 1939, it is only May 11, 1940 that the Factory Patrol of Nantes
is really set up. It is responsible for protecting the SNCAO of
Nantes which manufactures the Morane MS406, then the LEO 451 from
May 3rd.
Four Morane 406 were assigned
as early as 12 May, but it was not until 21 May that the five
Polish pilots assigned to the Patrol joined Nantes. Captain KUZIAN,
commander of the Patrol, fighting against the red tape, will be
able to equip these aircrafts completely only at the beginning
of June. The Moranes, on permanent alert, will carry out about
forty missions until June 17. On this date, the Polish pilots
retreat to Bordeaux to try to reach England, one of the pilots
will cross the Mediterranean and land, short of fuel on the African
soil.
