''Escadrille Spa.69'' (originally named ''Escadrille N.69'') was a French fighter squadron derived from one of its military's oldest aviation units. Active from September 1915 until the 11 November 1918 Armistice, the ''escadrille'' campaigned on both the Western and Italian Fronts with ''X Armee''. It was credited with 38 aerial combat victories.

History

''Escadrille Spa.69'' had its origins in one of France's oldest military aviation units; BL C5 was an observation unit flying Bleriots that was attached to the cavalry. Personnel were drawn from BL C5 in September 1915 to form ''Escadrille N. 69'', which was equipped with

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fighters.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 96 The squadron was posted to ''X Armee''. On 28 February 1916, the ''escadrille'' moved to the

Battle of Verdun The Battle of Verdun (french: Bataille de Verdun ; german: Schlacht um Verdun ) was fought from 21 February to 18 December 1916 on the Western Front in France. The battle was the longest of the First World War and took place on the hills north ...

. They returned to ''X Armee'' in July. When the squadron had notched 20 aerial victories, it 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 28 October 1917, the squadron accompanied ''X Armee'' to the Italian theater of operations. While in Italy, the squadron was re-equipped with SPAD fighters, changing its name to ''Escadrille Spa.69''. The newly outfitted squadron accompanied ''X Armee'' in its return to the Western Front, transferring on 26 March 1918. On 30 September 1918, ''Escadrille Spa.69'' was Mentioned in dispatches a second time, credited with destruction of 34 enemy aircraft. This second citation gave the unit the right to display the Fourragere of the ''

Croix de Guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''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 awa ...

''. By the Armistice, ''Escadrille Spa.69'' was credited with destroying 38 enemy aircraft.

Commanding officers

* ''Capitaine'' Robert Massenet-Royer de Marancour: Until 25 January 1917. * Lieutenant Paul Malavialle: 25 January 1917 until war's end.

Notable members

* Major

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* ''Capitaine'' Paul Malavialle * Lieutenant Honoré de Bonald * Sergeant Paul Rodde''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 96

Aircraft

French Nieuport 12bis of Escadrille N69 at the Somme (cropped)

* Blériot observation aircraft while still BL C5 *

fighters: September 1915 * SPAD fighters: c. November 1917 until war's end

End notes

Reference

* 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 Military units and formations of France in World War I Military aviation units and formations in World War I