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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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No 342 (Free French) Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
[1943 | ]
Personnel Movements: Apr - Dec 1943
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| April | |||
| Wg Cdr | A C P Carver | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 342 Sqn |
| Cmdt | H M G de Rancourt | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Officer Commanding (French), No 342 Sqn |
| Capt | Charbonnaux | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Officer Commanding 'A' Flight |
| Capt | Ezanno | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Officer Commanding 'B' Flight |
| Capt | de Thuisy | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Deputy Flight Commander 'A' Flight |
| Capt | d'Hautecourt | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Deputy Flight Commander 'B' Flight |
| Capt | Veber | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Senior Observer |
| Capt | de Montal | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Flt Lt | Brown | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant |
| Lt | Langer | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Weill | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Lt | de Brettes | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Forsans | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Stoloff | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Lamy | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Schaffner | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Paturau | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Goychman | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Foret | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Pineau | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Stone | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Colconap | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | Williams | 7 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Engineer Officer |
| Asp | Laurent | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Adjt/Chef | Pernot | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Adjt/Chef | Johanny | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Adjt/Chef | Luce | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Adjt | Griélen | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Adjt | Prandi | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Adjt | Murray | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | Barat | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | Delfau | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | Gibert | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | Luineaud | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Bernard | 7 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Nanot | 7 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Tual | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | d'Hainaut | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Roussarie | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Verchin | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Leconte | 7 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Lang | 8 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Tounier | 8 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Saville | 8 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Adjt | Balcaen | 8 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Adjt | A Canick | 8 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Lt | de Gramont Gabriel | 10 Apr 1943 | Killed in a flying accident when BZ324 spun into the ground at Great Massingham |
| Lt | Garot | 10 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Dugot | 10 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Rousselot | 10 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Jean | 10 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Drés | 10 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Mara | 10 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Ehrman | 10 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Bourne | 10 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Mathis | 11 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Lt | le Bivic | 12 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Hetigin | 12 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Jacqinot | 12 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Asp | Sinibaldi | 12 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Pecqeux | 12 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Dufau-Hitou | 12 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Cmdt | Blumental | 13 Apr 1943 | Arrived on special duty |
| Lt | Valton | 13 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | L J Ducorps | 13 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Petain | 13 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Barlier | 13 Apr 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Asp | Lucchesi | 13 Apr 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Cohen | 13 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Armfield | 13 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Marulli | 13 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | L A Bond | 14 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Navigation Officer and Bombing Leader |
| Wg Cdr | A C P Carver | 18 Apr 1943 | Promoted to Act Gp Capt and posted to command No 24 OTU |
| Cmdt | H M G de Rancourt | 18 Apr 1943 | Promoted to Lt Col and assumed command of No 342 Sqn |
| Capt | Charbonnaux | 18 Apr 1943 | Officer Commanding 'A' Flight, promoted to Cmdt |
| Capt | Ezanno | 18 Apr 1943 | Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, promoted to Cmdt |
| SO | Jeanne Massias | 20 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| S/Lt | Letessier | 21 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Deputy Adjutant |
| Sgt/Chef | Bauden | 23 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | Bodin | 23 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | Dumont | 23 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | J Allain | 23 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | A Carton | 24 Apr 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt/Chef | de Savy | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Godin | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| AC2 | R Urbe | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Cdt | Chasragne | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Cdt | Jouniaux | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Cdt | de Reynal | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Cdt | Carette | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Cdt | Bourret | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Cdt | Schteinberg | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Cdt | Bagnalasta | 27 Apr 1943 | AG, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Bercault | 28 Apr 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Medical Officer |
| May | |||
| Flt Lt | Meyer | 1 May 1943 | Arrived on posting, wef 25 Apr 1943 |
| Fg Off | Dubois | 1 May 1943 | Arrived on posting, wef 28 Apr 1943 |
| Plt Off | Beswick | 1 May 1943 | Assumed temporary duties of adjutant |
| Adjt | Blache | 3 May 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as WO i/c Discipline |
| Asp | Masquelier | 4 May 1943 | Arrived on posting for Administrative duties |
| Adjt/Chef | Ollivier | 4 May 1943 | Arrived on posting for Administrative duties |
| Adjt/Chef | Rat | 4 May 1943 | WOp, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Mathis | 5 May 1943 | Transferred to 'A' Flight |
| S/Lt | Rousselot | 5 May 1943 | Transferred to 'A' Flight |
| Sgt | Ehrman | 5 May 1943 | Transferred to 'A' Flight |
| Adjt | Griélen | 5 May 1943 | Transferred to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Nanot | 5 May 1943 | Transferred to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Tual | 5 May 1943 | Transferred to 'B' Flight |
| Lt | Gins | 11 May 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Asp | Baudens | 11 May 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Lt | Schaffner | 12 May 1943 | Promoted to Capt |
| S/Lt | Saville | 12 May 1943 | Promoted to Lt |
| Lt | le Bivic | 22 May 1943 | Admitted to Kings Lynn Hospital following a flying accident (AL285) |
| S/Lt | Jacqinot | 22 May 1943 | Died in Kings Lynn Hospital from injuries sustained in a flying accident (AL285) |
| Sgt | Cohen | 22 May 1943 | Killed in a flying accident (AL285) |
| Cpl/Chef | Desertiaux | 22 May 1943 | Killed in a flying accident (AL285) |
| Cmdt | Charbonnaux | 31 May 1943 | Officer Commanding 'A' Flight, 'grounded' on medical grounds |
| Capt | de Thuisy | 31 May 1943 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| S/Lt | Gatissou | 31 May 1943 | Arrived on posting from RAF Cosford for duty as Engineering Officer |
| June | |||
| Asp | Sinibaldi | 2 Jun 1943 | Attached to RAF Sutton Bridge for Gunnery Leaders' Course |
| S/Lt | L J Ducorps | 6 Jun 1943 | Killed in a flying accident (Havoc AH529) |
| Sgt/Chef | Armfield | 6 Jun 1943 | Killed in a flying accident (Havoc AH529) |
| Cmdt | J M Pouliquen | 7 Jun 1943 | Arrived on posting for duty as Deputy Commanding Officer |
| Lt | Goychman | 16 Jun 1943 | Promoted to Capt, wef 15 Jun 1943 |
| Lt | Garot | 16 Jun 1943 | Promoted to Capt, wef 15 Jun 1943 |
| Adjt/Chef | Pernot | 16 Jun 1943 | Promoted to S/Lt, wef 15 Jun 1943 |
| Adjt/Chef | Rat | 16 Jun 1943 | Promoted to S/Lt, wef 15 Jun 1943 |
| Capt | d'Hautecourt | 21 Jun 1943 | Deputy Flight Commander 'B' Flight, temporarily grounded for medical reasons |
| S/Lt | Dugot | 27 Jun 1943 | Admitted to hospital after ditching off Skegness in BZ376 |
| Sgt | Drés | 27 Jun 1943 | Killed in a flying accident when BZ376 ditched off Skegness |
| Sgt | Mara | 27 Jun 1943 | Admitted to hospital after ditching off Skegness in BZ376 |
| Cmdt | Charbonnaux | 28 Jun 1943 | Resumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Capt | de Thuisy | 28 Jun 1943 | Relinquished command of 'A' Flight |
| S/Lt | Hussar | 28 Jun 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| Asp | Challier | 28 Jun 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| July | |||
| S/Lt | Pineau | 3 Jul 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ366 'D', target - Langerbrugge) |
| S/Lt | Petain | 3 Jul 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ366 'D', target - Langerbrugge) |
| Sgt/Chef | Barat | 3 Jul 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ366 'D', target - Langerbrugge) |
| Capt | Mendes-France | 3 Jul 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | A Langer | 3 Jul 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Masson | 3 Jul 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| Lt | le Bivic | 6 Jul 1943 | Died in St Alban's Hospital from injuries sustained in a flying accident on 22 May 1943 |
| Cmdt | Ezanno | 7 Jul 1943 | Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, posted to CIA, Camberley |
| Cmdt | Charbonnaux | 7 Jul 1943 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Capt | de Thuisy | 7 Jul 1943 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Lt | L J Pettit | 17 Jul 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| Lt | C Ghigliotti | 17 Jul 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| S/Lt | Ratisbonne de Ravenel | 17 Jul 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| Adjt | Djabian-Paris | 17 Jul 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| Sgt | R Marchecourrt | 17 Jul 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| Sgt | Mongard | 17 Jul 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| Fg Off | L A Bond | 28 Jul 1943 | Navigation Officer and Bombing Leader, promoted to Flt Lt |
| Cmdt | Gorri | 30 Jul 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| Asp | Hennecart | 30 Jul 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting from No 13 OTU |
| August | |||
| Lt | de Brettes | 9 Aug 1943 | Killed in a flying accident (BZ341 'P') |
| S/Lt | Hetigin | 9 Aug 1943 | Killed in a flying accident (BZ341 'P') |
| Lt | Gary de Kacew | 23 Aug 1943 | Observer, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | Puyt | 23 Aug 1943 | Pilot, arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Linieres | 23 Aug 1943 | WOp/AG, arrived on posting |
| S/Lt | C Lang | 25 Aug 1943 | Observer, promoted to Lt |
| September | |||
| Capt | Schaffner | 2 Sep 1943 | Failed to return from an operation and later reported to be a POW |
| Lt | Gins | 2 Sep 1943 | Failed to return from an operation and later reported to be a POW |
| Sgt | Pecqeux | 2 Sep 1943 | Failed to return from an operation and later reported to be a POW |
| Sgt | d'Hainaut | 2 Sep 1943 | Failed to return from an operation and later reported to be a POW |
| Capt | de Thuisy | 12 Sep 1943 | Posted to Free French HQ, London |
| Cmdt | Gorri | 12 Sep 1943 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Cmdt | Charbonnaux | 20 Sep 1943 | OC, 'B' Flight, posted to RAF Bournemouth |
| Capt | Veber | 20 Sep 1943 | Departed on posting |
| Lt | Langer | 20 Sep 1943 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Capt | Barberon | 23 Sep 1943 | Arrived on posting |
| Lt | Ibos | 23 Sep 1943 | Arrived on posting |
| Lt | Rozoy | 23 Sep 1943 | Arrived on posting |
| Adjt/Chef | Lagatu | 23 Sep 1943 | Arrived on posting |
| Adjt | Furst | 23 Sep 1943 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Mainery | 23 Sep 1943 | Arrived on posting |
| October | |||
| Lt | T F S Lamy | 3 Oct 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ319 'H', target - Chevilly La Rue) |
| Adjt | J Balcaen | 3 Oct 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ319 'H', target - Chevilly La Rue) |
| Sgt | R Roussarie | 3 Oct 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ319 'H', target - Chevilly La Rue) |
| Sgt | J Jouniaux | 3 Oct 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ319 'H', target - Chevilly La Rue) |
| S/Lt | Lucchesi | 3 Oct 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, but later returned having evaded capture |
| S/Lt | Barlier | 3 Oct 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, later reported to be a POW |
| Sgt | Marulli | 3 Oct 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, but later returned having evaded capture |
| Sgt | Godin | 3 Oct 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, later reported to be a POW |
| Cmdt | Gorri | 10 Oct 1943 | Proceeded on anti-gas course |
| Cmdt | Gorri | 15 Oct 1943 | Returned from anti-gas course |
| Lt | S Stoloff | 22 Oct 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, later reported to be a POW |
| S/Lt | C Lang | 22 Oct 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ393 'R', target - Courcelles) |
| Sgt | J Allain | 22 Oct 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, later reported to be a POW, but died from wounds |
| Sgt | G Schteinberg | 22 Oct 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ393 'R', target - Courcelles) |
| November | |||
| S/Lt | Lucchesi | 10 Nov 1943 | Returned to the unit after evading capture |
| S/Lt | Laurent | 11 Nov 1943 | Killed in a flying accident |
| S/Lt | Colconap | 11 Nov 1943 | Killed in a flying accident |
| December | |||
| Lt | L J Pettit | 23 Dec 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, later reported to be a POW |
| Lt | C Ghigliotti | 23 Dec 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ393 'R', target - Meauil-Allard) |
| Sgt | R Marchecourrt | 23 Dec 1943 | Failed to return from an operation, later reported to be a POW |
| Sgt | L Marin | 23 Dec 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ393 'R', target - Meauil-Allard) |
| Adjt | Prandi | 23 Dec 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ269 'S', target - Meauil-Allard) |
| Sgt | Genestal | 23 Dec 1943 | Killed in action (Boston IIIA, BZ269 'S', target - Meauil-Allard) |
| Capt | H de Montal | 30 Dec 1943 | Killed in a flying accident in BZ364 'J' which collided with BZ299 'P' |
| Adjt | A Canick | 30 Dec 1943 | Killed in a flying accident in BZ364 'J' which collided with BZ299 'P' |
| Sgt/Chef | A Carton | 30 Dec 1943 | Killed in a flying accident in BZ364 'J' which collided with BZ299 'P' |
| Sgt | R Urbe | 30 Dec 1943 | Killed in a flying accident in BZ364 'J' which collided with BZ299 'P' |
| Asp | Challier | 30 Dec 1943 | Injured in a flying accident in BZ299 'P' which collided with BZ364 'J' |
| Sgt | Latrille | 30 Dec 1943 | Killed in a flying accident in BZ299 'P' which collided with BZ364 'J' |
| S/Lt | Hussar | 31 Dec 1943 | Died from injuries sustained in a flying accident in BZ299 'P' which collided with BZ364 'J' |
Source - No 342 ORB (AIR 27/1739)
Organisational Movements: Apr - Dec 1943
| Date | Notes |
| April | |
| 7 Apr 1943 | No 342 Squadron was formed at RAF West Raynham from French personnel brought back from the Middle East, equipped Boston IIIs and IIIAs |
 |
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| May | |
| 15 May 1943 | The squadron moved to RAF Sculthorpe, a satellite of RAF West Raynham |
| 28 May 1943 | The squadron was transferred from Bomber Command to Fighter Command, wef 1 Jun 1943 |
| June | |
| 9 Jun 1943 | 5 x Boston IIIAs were delivered from the ATA Pool |
| 12 Jun 1943 | 3 X Boston carry the squadron's first Circus with No 107 Sqn |
| 28 Jun 1943 | No 342 Sqn was declared fully operational by HQ Fighter Command |
| July | |
| 19 Jul 1943 | The squadron moved from RAF Sculthorpe to RAF Great Massingham |
| August | |
| No relevant entries recorded in this month's ORB | |
| September | |
| 6 Sep 1943 | The squadron moved from RAF Great Massingham to RAF Hartford Bridge |
| October | |
| No relevant entries recorded in this month's ORB | |
| November | |
| 24 Nov 1943 | 7 x aircraft and crews detached to RAF Aston Down for fighter affiliation exercises |
| December | |
| 1 Dec 1943 | All aicraft and crews return from RAF Aston Down |
Source - No 342 ORB (AIR 27/1739)
This entry was last updated on 06/08/25
