''Escadrille Spa.96'' (originally ''Escadrille N.96''), was a French fighter squadron active during the World War I years of 1917 to 1918. They were an integral part of larger, more potent fighting formations for most of their existence. The squadron was credited with destroying 15 German airplanes and two

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 during the war.

History

''Escadrille Spa.96'' (originally ''Escadrille N.96'') was founded drawing upon previously existing ''Detachment de Chasse 510''. Established in ''II Armee'' during June 1917, the squadron was equipped with Nieuport fighters and dubbed ''Escadrille N.96''. It shifted operations on 9 July 1917 to ''IV Armee'', then on 22 July to ''V Armee''. In February 1918, it and three other squadrons were incorporated into '' Groupe de Combat 19''. At the same time, it refitted with SPAD fighters, changing the unit designation to ''Escadrille Spa.96''. ''Escadrille Spa.96'' would be part of ''Groupe de Combat 19'' until war's end. In fact, the ''Groupe'' would be one of several such further massed into '' Escadre de Combat No. 1''. On 8 September 1918, the ''Escadre'' was tasked to the U.S. First Army 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 ...

. On 4 October, ''Escadrille Spa.96'', along with the rest of the ''Escadre'', 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 ...

. By war's end, ''Escadrille 96'' was credited with the destruction of 15 German airplanes and two

s.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 102

Commanding officers

* ''Capitaine'' Masse: June 1917 - 25 September 1917 * ''Capitaine'' Eugene Verdon: 25 September 1917 - 6 January 1918 * Lieutenant Maurice Barthe: 6 January 1918 - missing in action 6 May 1918 * Lieutenant

Charles Lefevre Charles Eugene Joseph Marie Lefevre (1893-1948) was a French flying ace credited with six aerial victories during the First World War. He led two different fighter squadrons into combat to do so, and won the ''Legion d'honneur'' for his exploits.T ...

: 6 January 1918 - wounded in action 29 August 1918 * Lieutenant Pierre Fauquet-Lemaitre: 29 August 1918 - 11 November 1918

Aircraft

* Nieuport fighters: June 1917 - February 1918 * SPAD fighters: February 1918 onwards

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. . Fighter squadrons of the French Air and Space Force Military units and formations established in 1917 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