Escadrille 38, variously known as ''Escadrille MS38'', ''Escadrille N38'', or ''Escadrille SPA38'', was a French fighter squadron founded on 8 January 1915. Fighting until the 11 November 1918 armistice, they were responsible for downing 98 German aircraft in aerial combat.

History

Escadrille 38 was founded at Châteaufort, France, as ''Escadrille MS38'' on 8 January 1915. Equipped with two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, it was assigned to support of ''IV Armee'' on 5 February 1915. The unit was re-equipped with two seat Nieuport XIIs on 20 September 1915. In accordance with regulations, the squadron was renamed ''Escadrille N38''. In February 1916, they began to be supplied with single-seat fighters.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 92 The squadron was one of four selected to be consolidated into a new wing-level formation, ''

Groupe de Combat 15 A group is a military unit or a military formation that is most often associated with military aviation. Air and aviation groups The terms group and wing differ significantly from one country to another, as well as between different branches o ...

'', on 19 March 1917. On 14 June, the entire unit was cited for having destroyed 28 German aircraft in ten months. By the Autumn of 1917, the unit had been re-equipped with

SPAD VII The SPAD S.VII C.1 was the first in a series of single-seat biplane fighter aircraft produced by ''Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés'' (SPAD) during the First World War. Like its successors, the S.VII was renowned as a sturdy and rugge ...

fighters, and was redesignated ''Escadrille SPA38''. On 29 January 1918, the unit had raised its battle score to 51 German aircraft destroyed. For this feat, the unit was cited, and its members granted the right to wear the '' Fourragere'' of the ''

Croix de Guerre The (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awarded during World ...

''. Later in the Spring of 1918, more modern

SPAD XIII The SPAD S.XIII is a French biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War, developed by ''Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés'' (SPAD) from the earlier and highly successful SPAD S.VII. During early 1917, the French designer Louis Bé ...

s would replace the SPAD VIIs. On 5 June 1918, the ''escadrille'' was assigned to a ''Groupe de Combat'' commanded by '' Capitaine'' Raoul Echard. For the final months of the war, ''Escadrille 38'' bounced about, supporting at various times ''IV Armee'', ''V Armee'', and ''VI Armee''. By the ceasefire, ''Escadrille 38'' had destroyed 98 German aircraft in aerial combat.

Commanding officers

* Lieutenant Max Boucher: 8 January 1915 - February 1916 * Lieutenant Jean d'Harcourt: February 1916 - 10 June 1916 * '' Capitaine'' Alphonse Colcomb: 10 June 1916 - 24 March 1918 * ''Capitaine''

Georges Madon Georges Félix Madon (28 July 1892 – 11 November 1924) was the fourth ranked French ace pilot of the First World War. His lengthy career and wide variety of aviation experiences were remarkable. Early years Madon was born in Bizerte, Tunisia, ...

: 24 March 1918 - ceasefire

Notable members

* ''Capitaine''

* '' Sous lieutenant'' Hector Garaud *

Adjutant Adjutant is a military appointment given to an Officer (armed forces), officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly the management of “human resources” in an army unit. The term is used in French-speaking armed ...

Gustave Douchy Capitaine Gustav Douchy (1893-1943) was a French military officer who served in both World Wars. He was a flying ace in World War I, credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. Early life Gustav Douchy was born on 14 May 1893 in Bondy. World ...

Aircraft

Morane-Saulnier Parasol The Morane-Saulnier L, or Morane-Saulnier Type L, or officially MoS-3, was a French parasol wing one or two-seat scout aeroplane of the First World War. The Type L became one of the first successful fighter aircraft when it was fitted with a sin ...

s: 8 January 1915 - 20 September 1915 *

Nieuport 11 The Nieuport 11 (or Nieuport XI C.1 in contemporary sources), nicknamed the ''Bébé'', is a French World War I single seat sesquiplane fighter aircraft, designed by Gustave Delage. It was the primary aircraft that ended the Fokker Scourge in 1 ...

s: 20 September 1915 - February 1916 *

Nieuport 10 The Nieuport 10 (or Nieuport XB in contemporary sources) is a French First World War sesquiplane that filled a wide variety of roles, including reconnaissance, fighter and trainer. Design and development In January 1914, designer joined the '' ...

s: February 1916 - Autumn 1917 *

s: Autumn 1917 - Spring 1918 *

s: Spring 1918 - 11 November 1918

End notes

References

* Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank (1993). ''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'' London, UK: Grub Street Publishing. . {{wwi-air Fighter squadrons of the French Air and Space Force Military units and formations established in 1915 Military units and formations disestablished in 1918