GC III/3 in 1939–1940. Condors and Pirates in Combat.

A tragedy during this transfer cost the group 6 of its pilots, killed or severely wounded. Reconstituted at Salon-de-Provence, the III/3 moved to eastern France and spent the Phoney War at Ochey (Meurthe-et-Moselle). Their first success on 30 September 1939 lifted morale, but the missions that followed through to April would consist mainly of escort duties for reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft.

The arrival of Captain Richard in January 1940 at the head of the group brought a new spirit, but his untimely death shortly before the shock of 10 May 1940 may be one of the reasons for the unit's relative lack of "media" coverage. And yet, its successes (and losses) scored in Belgium and Picardy flying Moranes, before being converted squadron by squadron to the Dewoitine 520, would rank it 11th in terms of aerial victories.

GC III/3 managed to withdraw to North Africa but was disbanded in August 1940 after 482 days of existence. Although few official documents have survived to this day, the authors are able to recount this journey thanks to remarkable archives preserved within the families.

We invite you to discover the history of this Armée de l'Air unit and its airmen through 208 pages, 300 photographs, 4 maps and 27 profiles by Yann Le Gal.