Halifax VI H7-L of No. 346 “Guyenne” Squadron
Bomber with French national roundels and blue-white-red rudder stripes.
French Air Force and the Handley Page Halifax
French Air Force’s (Armée de l’Air) relationship with the Handley Page Halifax began during World War II with the formation of two “Free French” bomber squadrons within the British Royal Air Force (RAF).
- In 1944, French personnel with experience on the twin-engine Loire et Olivier 451 bomber were assembled in England to form No. 346 Guyenne Squadron and No. 347 Tunisie Squadron.
- These squadrons, assigned to No. 4 Group, were based at RAF Elvington in Yorkshire.
- Before becoming operational, the French crews underwent refresher training at No. 20 Operational Training Unit (using Wellingtons) at RAF Lossiemouth and familiarization training on early marks of the Halifax at RAF Driffield.
World War II Operations:
- No. 346 Guyenne Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. G. E. Venot, was declared operational on May 16, 1944, with an establishment of 20 Halifax B.Vs (16 in use and 4 in reserve).
- The squadron’s Halifaxes proudly displayed French blue-white-red roundels on the fuselage sides.
- Their first mission took place on the night of June 1/2, 1944, targeting a German radio-listening station at Ferme-d’Urville as part of a larger force of 101 Halifaxes.
- No. 347 Tunisie Squadron, led by Lt. Col. M. Vigouroux, was formed at Elvington on June 20, 1944, and commenced operations on June 27/28, bombing Mont Candon with 12 aircraft.
Postwar Service:
Following the war, the two French Halifax squadrons were integrated into the Armée de l’Air’s Groupes de Bombardement as GB. II/23 Guyenne and GB. I/25 Tunisie, operating from Bordeaux-Marignac.
To support the continued operation of their B.VIs, the French received at least four Halifax B.IIs and B.Vs from the RAF for ground training at Rochefort.
The squadrons’ roles expanded beyond bombing to include:
- Meteorological flights (GB. I/25)
- Search and rescue missions (GB. I/25)
- Long-range transport (GB. II/23)
- These transport aircraft were modified to carry up to 20 passengers.
French Halifaxes flew to destinations including:
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- Indochina
- French outposts across the Pacific
- South America (for diplomatic and casualty relief work)
The strength of the French Halifax units in 1947 was approximately 31 aircraft, bolstered by a further delivery of 14 surplus RAF B.VIs in October.
Final Flights and Legacy:
- The last public appearance of the Halifax in French service occurred on Bastille Day (July 14), 1948, when five aircraft participated in a fly-past over Paris.
- The type was officially retired from Armée de l’Air service in October 1951.
- Some Halifaxes continued to be used for experimental work by organizations such as the Centre d’Essais en Vol (CEV) at Bretigny and Istres.
- The final two French Halifaxes, believed to be RG703 and RG828, were used for air tests with missiles until the spring of 1953.