No. 329 Squadron (RAF): Second World War

Aircraft - Locations - Group and Duty - Books

No.329 (GC I/2 'Cigognes') was a Free French squadron that served with the 2nd Tactical Air Force during the invasion of Normandy and the campaign in northern Europe.

The squadron was a descendent of one of the most famous French units of the First World War, GC 12 'Cigognes'. GC I/2 inherited the traditions of two of the earlier unit's squadrons, and performed well during the Battle of France in 1940. It then moved to North Africa.

Late in 1944 the unit began to move to the UK, where on 5 January 1944 it became No.329 Squadron. The new squadron became operational on 1 March, before on 14 April joining No.145 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. This wing was made up of Free French units.

No.329 helped support the D-Day landings, and the campaign in Normandy. It moved to the beachhead in August, and followed the advancing armies into the Low Countries. The squadron operated with its wing, attacking targets in Germany, until March 1945 when it returned to the UK. The squadron was disbanded on 17 November 1945.

Aircraft
February-March 1944: Supermarine Spitfire VB and VC
February 1944-February 1945: Supermarine Spitfire IX
February-March 1945: Supermarine Spitfire XVI
March-November 1945: Supermarine Spitfire IX

Location
January 1944: Ayr
January-April 1944: Perranporth
April-May 1944: Merston
May 1944: Llanbedr
May-June 1944: Merston
June-July 1944: Funtington
July-August 1944: Selsey
August 1944: Tangmere
August-September 1944: B.8 Sommervieu
September 1944: B.29 Bernay
September 1944: B.51 Lille/ Vendeville
September-November 1944: B.55 Wevelghem
November 1944-February 1945: B.70 Deurne
February-March 1945: B.85 Schijndel
March-April 1945: Turnhouse
April-May 1945: Skeabrae
May-June 1945: Harrowbeer
June 1945: Dreux
June-July 1945: Harrowbeer
July-August 1945: Fairwood Common
August-November 1945: Exeter

Squadron Codes: 5A

Duty
1944-1945: Fighter Squadron, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Part of
6 June 1944: No.145 Wing; No.84 Group; Second Tactical Air Force; Allied Expeditionary Air Force

Books

Links

Fondation de la France Libre: French language site of the Foundation for the Free French.

Help - F.A.Q. - Contact Us - Search - Recent - About Us - Privacy