''Escadrille Spa.78'' (originally ''Escadrille N.78'') was a French fighter squadron active from December 1916 until the end of World War I on 11 November 1918. It spent most of its existence as a component of a larger ''Groupe de Combat'' involved in offensive operations. The squadron was credited with a minimum of 40 confirmed aerial victories during the war.

History

''Escadrille N.78'' was organized on 12 December 1916 at Saint Etienne-a-Temple, France. It was formed under the guidance of Lieutenant Armand Pinsard. On 17 March 1917, it was one of four squadrons combined into '' Groupe de Combat 15'' in support of ''IV Armee''. In the latter part of 1917, the squadron re-equipped with SPAD fighters, and renamed ''Escadrille Spa.78''. The squadron would fight as part of the ''Groupe'' until the Armistice on 11 November 1918. The ''Groupe'' would operate with various French field armies until 10 September 1918. It fought in support of the U.S. First Army until 28 September, when it passed to support of ''IV Armee''. On 23 October 1918, it moved to its final assignment with ''V Armee''. ''Escadrille Spa.78'' ended World War I credited with destruction of at least 40 German aircraft, with another 40 claims judged probable victories.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 97

Commanding officers

* Lieutenant Armand Pinsard: 12 December 1916wounded in action 12 July 1917 * ''Capitaine'' Eugene Verdon: 12 July 1917 - 25 September 1917 * ''Capitaine'' Gustave Lagache: 25 September 1917 - war's end

Notable members

* Lieutenant Armand Pinsard * ''

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 ...

'' Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarié

Aircraft

* Various types of

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: 12 December 1916 - late 1917 * SPAD fighters: Late 1917 - 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. . 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 {{France-mil-unit-stub