The (Free) French Air Force in 1940-1945 (Listing attempt)

[Ron Bolesta]

The French B-26 bombers flew 627 missions and launched 7,036 tons of bombs. 14 planes were lost and among the crew members there were 58 KIAs, 24 WIAs and 31 POWs. per David Lehman How do I find the names and information on the 31 POWs?

My name is Ron Bolesta. I am on the Board of Directors of the B-26 Marauder Historical Society.
I recently completed a 600 hour research project to isolate of the 145,000 American POWs in WWII which POWs were B-26 Marauder crewmembers. I have now developed a webpage for our membership and general public to access that data collected. The web site is B26pows.com

One of the items on my "to do" list is to expand that database with individuals who also were B-26 POWS from other allied air forces. Ccan anyone help with any info about these 31 POWS?

[Truebrit]

Folks, does anyone have any list of foreign pilots (Czechs, Poles etc.) who flew with/for the French Air Force during the Battle for France 39/40? Did France award any specific medals to these foreign volunteers (excepting gallantry awards)?
Many thanks

[Loïc]

hello

here a list of 176 Polish pilots
https://www.passionair1940.fr/Armee%20d ... -G-H-I.htm

and 121 Czechoslovakians
https://www.passionair1940.fr/Armee%20d ... heques.htm

the Poles and Czechoslovakians in France were not foreign volunteers, except for those really in the French Army of course, but pilots from both allied Polish and Czechoslovakian Armies rebuilt in France even if in the complex case of the rebirth of their Air Forces they served often with french crews and units,
but there was a first whole fighter polish group raised of the 4 planned for the Polish Air Force in France : the Groupe de Chasse 1/145 "Varsovie" and the same was planned from the 800 to 900 Czechoslovakian (2 fighter groups and a bomber group to be raised after july 1940)