''Groupe de Chasse'' or ''groupe de chasse'' (usually abbreviated as GC) is the French language term for " fighter

group A group is a number of persons or things that are located, gathered, or classed together. Groups of people * Cultural group, a group whose members share the same cultural identity * Ethnic group, a group whose members share the same ethnic ide ...

" or "fighter

wing A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is e ...

". More literal translations include "pursuit group" (the US term for fighter groups prior to 1942) and "hunting group" (similar to the German language '' Jagdgruppe'' or ''JG'').

Composition

A ''group de chasse'' may include one to four ''

escadrille A flight is a small military unit within the larger structure of an air force, naval air service, or army air corps; and is usually subservient of a larger squadron. A military aircraft flight is typically composed of four aircraft, though ...

s'', each of which comprises 10–12 aircraft. The commanding officer of a ''GC'' is usually a ''

Commandant Commandant ( or ) is a title often given to the officer in charge of a military (or other uniformed service) training establishment or academy. This usage is common in English-speaking nations. In some countries it may be a military or police ran ...

'', ''

Lieutenant-colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colo ...

'' or ''

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...

''.

Units

Specific units known by the name ''groupe de chasse'' include: ;'' Groupe de Chasse (Belgium)'' :a Belgian unit of World War I ;''

Groupe de Chasse Polonaise I/145 The Polish Fighter Squadron ( pl, I/145 Polski Dywizjon Myśliwski, french: Groupe de Chasse Polonais), also known by its designation GC I/145, was the largest fighter unit of the Polish Air Forces in France. Formed of Polish pilots who evaded cap ...

'': a Polish unit fighting alongside France in 1940

France

References

Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * * * * Air force units and formations Air units and formations of France in World War II Military units and formations of the French Air and Space Force {{France-mil-stub fr:Groupe de Chasse