Although little known to the
French general public, the British air effort was important in the
battle of France.
In 1936, in the face of growing tension in Europe, France and England signed agreements for the sending of British aircraft to French territory in the event of conflict.
As early as September 2,
1939, according to the agreements signed, the British began to deploy
their aircrafts on French soil. This air force, The British Air
Force (BAFF) under the Air Marshal Barratt is divided into two groups:
the Advanced Air Strike Force (AASF), which includes the Bombardment,
and the AC (Air Component) who is in charge of Reconnaissance and
Fighter aviation.
The AASF includes 5 Wings
equipped with Fairey
Battle light bombers while the CA includes 4 Wings equipped
with Lysander, Bristol
Blenheim MkIV , Gloster
Gladiator and Hawker
Hurricane .
The British will refuse to send more aircraft on the continent in spite of increasingly pressing French demands. The reason is simple and logical: the British want to preserve their aviation, in particular the Spitfire fighters in order to be able to ensure the air defense of its territory if necessary.
By May 10, 1940, the RAF had engaged 416 planes including 92 fighters and 192 bombers on French soil.
As of May 30th, 35 fighters (out of 650 possessed by the United Kingdom) and 40 bombers (out of 286) were in France.
The BAFF
lost 959 aircraft and deplored 1,526 killed, wounded and disappeared (Casualties slightly higher than those of the French Air Force) and claimed 940 victories (presumably around 500 wins) and 3,968 tons of bombs dropped.
