French Escadrilles in Syria 1919-1920

agblume · 26 August 2006, 09:45 AM

I'm seeking details on the French Escadrilles that carried out operations in Syria during 1919 and 1920. Need arrival dates, airfield movements and dates they left the theatre. Any help is appreciated. Cheers, agblume

vb136 · 27 August 2006, 06:28 AM

Escadrille 575 arrived at Port Said 27 August 1918, and the first detachment from this unit arrived to Beirut 18 November 1918. The unit was finally assembled in Beirut on 23 April 1919.

It was renamed 8e escadrille/1er Régiment d'Observation on 1 January 1920, and renamed again in September of that year, to 57e escadrille/Aéronautique du Levant.

Commanding officers:
Cpt Robert de Branquilanges until July 1920, Lt Lahire thereafter.
Aircraft used: Caudron G 6, and Bréguet 14A2 from April 1920.

agblume · 27 August 2006, 07:36 AM

Hello vb136, Thank you for details on ESC.575. Any idea when they may have left the Levant??? I believe ESC.BR.559 also played a role in Syria. Perhaps other French units served there as well. Maybe someone has additional details. Cheers, agblume

vb136 · 28 August 2006, 11:31 AM

Hello,

The escadrille was still there in 1920, when my source "dries up". Other units may have been transferred to Lebanon/Syria at a later date, but I have no information on these, sorry.

agblume · 28 August 2006, 01:22 PM

Hello vb136, Very much appreciated your input. Am hoping that some of our other colleagues may be able to fill in some holes. Cheers, agblume

Tsuru · 28 August 2006, 01:29 PM

Gentlemen,

Among the different members of this mission, have you ever come across the name of Henri-Nicolas Arcouët? A pilot, an observer, a mechanic, else..?
Thanks!

Regards,
Tsuru

agblume · 29 August 2006, 05:30 AM

Hello Tsuru, Sorry that I am unable to help you as I have no names of any of the French personnel in Syria. Cheers, agblume

vb136 · 29 August 2006, 11:38 AM

You are correct in assuming that escadrille VR 559 was assigned to Syria/Lebanon. The unit was formed some time in 1918, equpped with Voisin 10 a/c. These were exchanged for more modern material, Bréguet 14A2, in 1920. The unit chenged name to 6e escadrille/1er RO on 1 January 1920, and again later that year to 56e escadrille/35e RAO, before being dissolved in 1920. I have no information about CO's, bases etc, but have seen photographs taken in 1920, when the unit was based at Adana, then i Cilicia, now Turkey.

agblume · 30 August 2006, 05:34 AM

Hello vb136, Thank you very much for information on ESC.VR.559. Do anyone know when the French escadrilles were withdrawn from Syria/Lebanon??? Cheers, agblume