Summary
Groupe de Combat 11 of the French Air Force was founded on 1 November 1916,[1] being formed by consolidating Escadrilles 12, 31, 48, and 57.[2]
The groupe was equipped with a melange of SPADs, Nieuports, Sopwiths, and Morane-Saulniers when it was posted to V Armee of the French Army in early February 1917. Within the month, it had moved to IV Armee. In July 1917, it moved to Flanders as fighting intensified.[2]
Groupe de Combat 11 was inducted into a larger unit, Escadre de Combat No. 2, on 27 February 1918, under command of Chef de Bataillon Phillip Fequant. GC 11 supported I Armee and III Arme from March onward. On 14 May 1918, Escadre de Combat No. 2 was one of the units incorporated into the larger 1er Division Aerienne. However, on 28 May, GC 11 was detached to support both IV Armee and V Armee.[2]
Commanding officers edit
- Capitaine Edouard Dusiegneur: January 1917 – 19 June 1918
- Capitaine Marcel Bonnevay: 20 June 1918[2]
Notable personnel edit
- Armand de Turenne
- Henri Languedoc
- Pierre Dufaur de Gavardie
- Joseph M. X. de Sévin[3]
- Lieutenant Jacques Ortoli
- Adjutant Georges Blanc
- Sous Lieutenant Jules Covin
- Sous Lieutenant François Portron[2]
References edit
- ^ Franks & Bailey (1992), p. 94.
- ^ a b c d e Franks & Bailey (1992), p. 91.
- ^ Franks & Bailey (1992), p. 89.
- Bibliography
- Franks, Norman & Bailey, Frank W. (1992). Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0.