Mine for the 30th April.

[Nick Colley]

Somewhere at the back of my mind I have a niggling half memory that I've written this up for a one-pager in the Journal. If so, I've no idea when. Anyway, if I can't recall it, then I don't suppose you can either.

So, in brief, the unit was formed in the autumn of 1942, and was designated Groupe de Chasse GC 3 'Normandie'. The squadron travelled via Tehran to Baku. A period of training followed, converting to the Russian Yak 7 fighter. It was deployed in three major campaigns for the USSR between 22nd March 1943 and 9th May 1945, during which time it was credited with destroying 273 enemy aircraft.

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