Osprey - French Aces of World War 2

Osprey Aircraft Of The Aces Series

The best-selling aviation series of recent years, with over 350,000 copies sold since its launch
Comprehensive histories of the elite fighter pilots and the aircraft that they flew
A unique source of information researched by recognized experts and brought to life by first-hand accounts from the combat veterans themselves
Concise, authoritative text is supported by at least 30 specially commissioned original color artworks, new scale plans and the best archival photography from around the world

French pilots endured the almost unique experience of fighting both with and against the allies during World War 2.

possessing perhaps the most obsolescent aircraft of any major airforce in Europe at the outbreak of the war, the Armee de L'Air was decimated in the wake of the Blitzkrieg.

Never short of targets, a number of fighter units achieved credible scores flying curtiss Hawks, Morane MS.406's and Dewoitine D.520's, although they also suffered serious losses at the hands of marauding Bf 109's and Bf 110's.

Following the capitulation of France at the end of June 1940, many aces continued to fly with the now Vichy French squadrons that had fled to North Africa.

Many of these pilots subsequently saw action against their former Allies in North Africa - particularly over Syria in 1941 and in opposition to the Anglo-American Torch landings of November 1942, when they took a heavy toll of US Navy and Fleet Air French pilots also escaped to Britain following the surrender, and a handful achieved notable success with the RAF flying Hurricanes, spitfires and Tempests.

In Russia, the formation of French-manned "Normandie-Niemen" regiment of 1943 also saw near on 40 pilots achieve ace status flying Yak fighters on the Eastern Front.

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