''Escadrille Spa.75'' (originally ''Escadrille N.75'') was a French fighter squadron active during World War I. Beginning 12 April 1917, they became part of ''Groupe de Combat 14'', and fought as such until the 11 November 1918 ceasefire. The ''escadrille'' was
Mentioned in dispatches
To be mentioned in dispatches (or despatches) describes a member of the armed forces whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which their gallant or meritorious action in the face of t ...
for having shot down 29 German airplanes and two
observation balloon
An observation balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for gathering intelligence and spotting artillery. The use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World ...
s.
History
''Escadrille Spa.75'' was founded as ''Escadrille N.75'' on 13 July 1916; its initial designation stemmed from it being fitted with
Nieuport XIII airplanes. It supported the ''VIII Armee'' until 12 April 1917, at which time it refitted with
SPAD S.7
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 ...
s, was renamed ''Escadrille Spa.75'', and was amalgamated into ''Groupe de Combat 14''. The squadron would fight as part of the ''Groupe'' for the rest of World War I.
[''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 96]
''Groupe de Combat 14'' would support several different French field armies in several different locations, including
Flanders
Flanders ( or ; ) is the Dutch language, Dutch-speaking northern portion of Belgium and one of the communities, regions and language areas of Belgium. However, there are several overlapping definitions, including ones related to culture, la ...
from 4 May to 1 June 1918.
[
Postwar, on 23 December 1918, the squadron was ]Mentioned in dispatches
To be mentioned in dispatches (or despatches) describes a member of the armed forces whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which their gallant or meritorious action in the face of t ...
for having destroyed 29 German airplanes and two observation balloon
An observation balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for gathering intelligence and spotting artillery. The use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World ...
s.[
]
Commanding officers
* ''Capitaine'' Henri de Montfort: 16 July 1916 - 22 December 1917
* Lieutenant Pierre Blandinieres: 22 December 1917 - 11 November 1918[
]
Notable members
* '' Sous lieutenant'' William Herisson
* 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 ...
Antoine Laplasse[
]
Aircraft
* Nieuport XIII: 16 July 1916
* SPAD S.7
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 ...
: from 12 April 1917[
]
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. .
Fighter squadrons of the French Air and Space Force
Military units and formations established in 1916
Military units and formations disestablished in 1918
Military units and formations of France in World War I
Military aviation units and formations in World War I
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