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Photo Credit: In Yak Attack, by artist Roy Grinnell, Roland de la Poype shoots down a German FW-190 over Russia on October 23, 1944. This was Poype’s 15th aerial victory, and the 182nd for the Normandie-Niemen Squadron.
By Andre Bernole and Glenn Barnett
The world was understandably shocked when France capitulated to Nazi Germany in June 1940, but not all Frenchmen accepted their country’s humiliation. Chief among them was General Charles de Gaulle, who fled to England to continue the struggle as the self-proclaimed head of the Free French government in exile. Almost alone at the beginning, others would join his cause.
Individually and in small groups, pilots of the French Air Force (Armée de L’air) made
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2 thoughts on “French Aces on the Eastern Front: The Normandie-Niemen Squadron”
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2 thoughts on “French Aces on the Eastern Front: The Normandie-Niemen Squadron”
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Hi
This is a great article – thank you.
I am rebuilding a YAK 7 B in New Zealand. The aircraft was purchased in the USA 2 years ago and is undergoing very extensive restoration work. I was planning to have it painted to honour ace Marcel Albert but I have discovered there is a YAK 3 in France, recently returned to flying status, painted as his aircraft. I am researching an alternate Normandie-Niemen squadron ace to honour. Do you have any suggestions ?
Regards
Mike
I love stories like these! It is nice to read about some of the lesser-known but no less fascinating episodes of WW2. Keep up the good work.