''Escadrille Spa.77'' (originally ''Escadrille N.77'') was a French fighter and photo reconnaissance squadron active from 1916 to 1918 during the First World War. They were credited with the destruction of 34 German airplanes and

observation balloon An observation balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War ...

s, as well as extensive photo intelligence coverage of enemy positions.

History

''Escadrille Spa.77'' was founded on 19 September 1916 at Lyon-Bron, France. It was equipped with Nieuport XII and

Nieuport XVII The Nieuport 17 C.1 (or Nieuport XVII C.1 in contemporary sources) was a French sesquiplane fighter designed and manufactured by the Nieuport company during World War I. An improvement over the Nieuport 11, it was a little larger than earlier ...

fighters, leading to its original designation of ''Escadrille N.77''. It was assigned to ''VIII Armee''. By April 1917, the Nieuport XIIs were gone, and the unit had added Nieuport XXIVs, and a few

SPAD VII The SPAD S.VII was the first of a series of highly successful 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 r ...

fighters. In June, they received Nieuport XXIVs. By September 1917, they had become entirely equipped with SPADs. They were redesignated ''Escadrille Spa.77''.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 97 On 5 February 1918, the squadron, along with three others, had been incorporated into '' Groupe de Combat 17''. Later that month, ''Groupe de Combat 17'' joined other ''Groupes'' in ''Escadre de Combat No. 2''. On 14 May, the ''Escadre'' was itself posted into the ''1er Division Aerienne''. Although details of combat operations are lacking, ''Escadrille Spa.77'' was obviously engaged; it was Cited in orders on 18 July 1918 for downing 22 German airplanes and 13

s. Their extensive photo reconnaissance missions were also lauded for producing 1,000 photos. Their second time being Cited in orders, on 9 October 1918, credited the squadron with destruction of 34 German airplanes and 25 observation balloons. The unit would destroy one more observation balloon before the Armistice on 11 November 1918.

Commanding officers

* Lieutenant Joseph de l'Hermite: 19 September 1916 - 19 July 1917 * ''Capitaine'' Pierre Muranval: 19 July 1917 * Lieutenant Henri Decoin: 30 May 1918 * ''

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 ...

Gilbert Sardier Lieutenant Jean Marie Luc Gilbert Sardier (1897-1976) was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.The Aerodrome websitRetrieved 27 January 2010. He remained active in aviation following World War I. During World War II, he was de ...

: 5 July 1918''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 217

Notable members

* Lieutenant

Maurice Boyau Maurice Jean-Paul Boyau (8 May 1888 – 16 September 1918) was a French rugby union player and a leading French ace of the First World War with 35 victories, and one of the most successful balloon busters. Balloon busting was the dangerous act ...

* Lieutenant

Alexandre Marty Lieutenant Alexandre Paul Leon Madeleine Marty was a French World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.The Aerodrome website page on MartRetrieved 21 August 2020 Biography See also Aerial victory standards of World War I Alexand ...

* ''

'' Yves F. Barbaza *

Adjutant Adjutant is a military appointment given to an 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 forces as a non-commission ...

Francis Guerrier

Aircraft

* Nieuport XII: 19 September 1916 - early 1917 *

: 19 September 1916 - September 1917 * Nieuport XXIV: April 1917 - September 1917 *

: 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. . {{wwi-air 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