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 balloons, as well as extensive photo intelligence coverage of enemy positions.
Escadrille Spa.77 was founded on 19 September 1916 at Lyon-Bron, France. It was equipped with Nieuport XII and Nieuport XVII 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 fighters. In June, they received Nieuport XXIVs. By September 1917, they had become entirely equipped with SPADs. They were redesignated Escadrille Spa.77.[1]
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.[1]
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 observation balloons. 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.[1]
Commanding officersedit
Lieutenant Joseph de l'Hermite: 19 September 1916 - 19 July 1917
^ abcdefgOver the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 97
^Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 217
Referencesedit
Bergese, Francis (July 1971). "GC I/7: Le livre de bord de deux escadrilles de chasse célèbres" [The Logbooks of Two Famous Fighter Squadrons]. Le Album de Fanatique de l'Aviation (in French) (24): 18–19. ISSN 0757-4169.
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. ISBN978-0-948817-54-0.
January 01, 1970
escadrille, originally, escadrille, french, fighter, photo, reconnaissance, squadron, active, from, 1916, 1918, during, first, world, they, were, credited, with, destruction, german, airplanes, observation, balloons, well, extensive, photo, intelligence, cover. 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 balloons as well as extensive photo intelligence coverage of enemy positions Escadrille Spa 77Active1916 1918Country FranceBranch French Air ServiceTypeFighter photo recon SquadronBattle honoursTwice Cited in orders Contents 1 History 2 Commanding officers 3 Notable members 4 Aircraft 5 End notes 6 ReferencesHistory editEscadrille Spa 77 was founded on 19 September 1916 at Lyon Bron France It was equipped with Nieuport XII and Nieuport XVII 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 fighters In June they received Nieuport XXIVs By September 1917 they had become entirely equipped with SPADs They were redesignated Escadrille Spa 77 1 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 1 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 observation balloons 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 1 Commanding officers editLieutenant Joseph de l Hermite 19 September 1916 19 July 1917 Capitaine Pierre Muranval 19 July 1917 Lieutenant Henri Decoin 30 May 1918 1 Sous lieutenant Gilbert Sardier 5 July 1918 2 Notable members editLieutenant Maurice Boyau Lieutenant Gilbert Sardier Lieutenant Alexandre Marty Sous lieutenant Yves F Barbaza Adjutant Francis Guerrier 1 Aircraft editNieuport XII 19 September 1916 early 1917 Nieuport XVII 19 September 1916 September 1917 Nieuport XXIV April 1917 September 1917 1 SPAD VII April 1917 1 End notes edit a b c d e f g Over the Front The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services 1914 1918 p 97 Over the Front The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services 1914 1918 p 217References editBergese Francis July 1971 GC I 7 Le livre de bord de deux escadrilles de chasse celebres The Logbooks of Two Famous Fighter Squadrons Le Album de Fanatique de l Aviation in French 24 18 19 ISSN 0757 4169 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 ISBN 978 0 948817 54 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Escadrille Spa 77 amp oldid 1221148387, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
