[vtrelut]

ok i never said dont do it but some people get the words wrong

as i said how long were they in the war for??

not dont build them

Hello RAF_Leigh,


The French did take part in the whole of WWII; there were three distinct periods:

1) 1939 - June 1940: French Air Force fought and lost against Germany and Italy.

2) July 1940 - End of 1942: French air force was split into 2 parts: the majority (85% to 90%) became what we now call Vichy French Air force. They fought in the air against the allies in Africa and in the Middle East (enemies were the RAF, the Royal Navy, the US Navy, at locations such as Algeria, Senegal, Madagascar, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco). They also fought against Japan and Thailand in Indochina. Their planes were basically the same types that served in 1939 - 1940. So it means that the French aircraft of 1940 actually participated in air battles during more than 3 years, from September 1939 to the end of 1942. Although it is not so publicized, air battles featuring French pilots against British and American pilots were actually fierce and intense particularly during the Syria/Lebanon campaign in 1941, and during operation Torch, although the latter was short. The Dewoitine D-520 was used not only during the Battle of France against Germany and Italy, but also in Syria/Lebanon, for instance.

The minority rejoined the RAF and also later the VVS to form the Free French Air Force. They fought across the Channel, in Lybia, in Russia, at least.

3) From 1943 to 1945, the French air force was reborn and united again, fighting against Germany and Italy, after being requipped by the US and Britain.

I have attempted to make these forgotten events known through my campaigns French Wings, available at M4T. The missions in my campaigns are not historical, but the story is correct and campaign briefings are documented.



As far as French planes in the game are concerned, I would vote for:

1) Dewoitine D-520

2) Potez 631/633

3) Bloch 174/175

4) Bloch 152/155

5) LeO 451