No. 341 Squadron (RAF): Second World War

Aircraft - Locations - Group and Duty - Books

No.341 (French) Squadron 'G.C. III/2 'Alsace' was a French-manned fighter squadron that served with 2nd Tactical Air Force, taking part in the liberation of Europe in 1944-45.

During 1942 a Free French Flight was operating in the Western Desert, but towards the end of the year its personnel were moved to Britain, where on 15 January 1943 they formed the new No.341 Squadron. Two months later the Spitfire-equipped fighter squadron moved south to Biggin Hill, from where it took part in offensive sweeps over northern France.

In October 1943 the squadron moved to Cornwall, from where it few offensive sweeps over Brittany. In April 1944 the squadron moved back to the south-east, where it joined 2nd Tactical Air Force, the British contribution to the massive air force being created to support the D-Day landings. No.341 Squadron formed part of No.145 Wing, where it operated alongside a number of other French fighter squadron.

The squadron helped support the D-Day Landings. It moved into the Normandy beachhead in August, and advanced with the Allied armies, reaching Belgium in September. The squadron remained on the continent for most of the rest of the war, although February 1945 was spent back at Turnhouse, where it had been formed. The squadron flew armed reconnaissance missions over German occupied territory, focusing on communications targets.

The squadron remained on the continent after the end of the war. On 7 November 1945 the squadron, but not its aircraft, was passed to the Armée de l'Air.

Aircraft
January-March 1943: Supermarine Spitfire VB
March-October 1943: Supermarine Spitfire IXB
October 1943-February 1944: Supermarine Spitfire VB
February 1944-March 1945: Supermarine Spitfire IXB
March-November 1945: Supermarine Spitfire XVI

Location
January-March 1943: Turnhouse
March-October 1943: Biggin Hill
October 1943-April 1944: Perranporth
April-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.37 Gamaches
September 1944: B.51 Lille/ Vendeville
September-November 1944: B.55 Wevelghem
November 1944-February 1945: B.70 Deurne
February-March 1945: Turnhouse
March-April 1945: B.85 Schijndel
April-July 1945: B.105 Drope
July-November 1945: B.152 Fassberg

Squadron Codes: NL

Duty
1943-1944: Fighter Command
1944-1945: 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.

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