''Escadrille Spa.112'' (also known as ''Escadrille V.29'', ''Escadrille VB.112'', ''Escadrille F.112'', and ''Escadrille N.112'') was a French air force squadron active for the near-entirety of World War I. After serving until mid-1917 in various iterations of a bombing squadron, they were re-equipped with

Nieuport Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars. History Beginnings Originally formed as Nieuport-Duplex in ...

fighters. With their Nieuports, and their subsequent SPADs, they destroyed 28 enemy airplanes by the ceasefire.

History

''Escadrille Spa.112'' began its existence on 1 September 1914 as ''Escadrille V.29'', the squadron designation reflecting its equipment with

Voisin Voisin (French for "neighbour") may refer to: Companies *Avions Voisin, the French automobile company :*Voisin Laboratoire, a car manufactured by Avions Voisin *Voisin (aircraft), the French aircraft manufacturer * Voisin, a Lyon-based chocolat ...

aircraft. On 18 December, they were tasked to support ''Ier Armee''. On 15 May 1915, they were renamed ''Escadrille VB.112'', meaning they must have been outfitted with new bomber airplanes. The ''escadrille'' was one of those concentrated into ''Groupe de Bombardement No. 4'', a more powerful bombardment force.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 104 The squadron fought in the

Second Battle of Artois The Second Battle of Artois (french: Deuxième bataille de l'Artois, german: Lorettoschlacht) from 9 May to 18 June 1915, took place on the Western Front (World War I), Western Front during the First World War. A German-held Salient (military), ...

, and was

Mentioned in dispatches To be mentioned in dispatches (or despatches, MiD) 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 ...

on 25 July 1915. Afterwards, the squadron was disbanded within ''Groupe de Bombardement No. 4'' on 20 November 1915, only to be reconstituted within ''Groupe de Bombardement No. 1''. Then they were refitted with

Farman Farman Aviation Works (french: Avions Farman) was a French aircraft company founded and run by the brothers Richard, Henri, and Maurice Farman. They designed and constructed aircraft and engines from 1908 until 1936; during the French national ...

s and redubbed ''Escadrille F.112''. On 19 March 1916, the squadron moved to support ''IV Armee''. On 20 March, it became part of a larger fighter unit, ''Groupe de Combat 15''. On 11 June 1916, they were supplied with

fighters to become ''Escadrille N.112''. Resupplied with SPAD fighters in December, they were renamed as ''Escadrille Spa.112''. On 10 January 1918, ''Escadrille Spa.112'' was transferred to '' Groupe de Combat 16''. The ''Groupe'' supported an array of field armies; this included assignment to the 1st American Army from 1 April to 10 September 1918 for the

Battle of Saint-Mihiel The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a major World War I battle fought from 12–15 September 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and 110,000 French troops under the command of General John J. Pershing of the United States against ...

. By the Armistice, the squadron was credited with 28 verified aerial victories.

Commanding officers

* ''Captaine'' Sourdeau: 1 September 1914 - 18 December 1914 * ''Capitaine'' Gustave Ludmann: 18 December 1914 * Lieutenant Pierre Merat: 15 March 1916 - war's end

Notable members

* ''

Sous lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until 19 ...

Victor Régnier ''Sous Lieutenant'' Victor François Marie Alexis Régnier (1889-1961) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.The Aerodrome websitRetrieved on 29 March 2010 World War I Victor Régnier was an experienced soldier when Wor ...

* ''Sous lieutenant''

Fernand Henri Chavannes Sous Lieutenant Fernand Henri Chavannes (1897-1985) was a French World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.The Aerodrome websitRetrieved on 29 April 2010. Biography Fernand Henri Chavannes was the son of renowned sinology, sin ...

* ''Sous lieutenant''

Lionel de Marmier Lionel Alexandre Pierre de Marmier was a World War I flying ace credited with six confirmed aerial victories in World War I.The Aerodrome websitRetrieved on 29 April 2010. He remained involved in aviation postwar, setting flying records and serving ...

Aircraft

: 1 September 1914 - 15 May 1915 * Unknown type of bomber(s): 15 May 1915 - ? *

: ? - 11 June 1916 *

fighters: 11 June 1916 - December 1916 * SPAD fighters: December 1916 - war's end

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. . French Air and Space Force squadrons Military units and formations established in 1914 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 {{France-mil-unit-stub