20.12.2008, 10:02
Here is a very rough translation done through an online language converter, of the aerial activity between Vichy French and Japanese Air Forces during what is generaly refered to as the Lang Son incident of September 1940. The event is described at: aerostories.free.fr/event/langson/
21st September 1940:
E.C. 1/595 transfered to Tong. Loire 130 seaplanes of 1/CBS at Hanoi. A Farman 221 flies a recon from Tang over the Gulf of Tonkin. 10 kg bombs are issued for use on Potez 25's.
22nd September 1940:
Japanese forces cross the border to their advanced station near Lang, supported by KI-27and KI-48 aircraft of 84 and 82 Dokoritsu Hiko Fell. Two Potez 25's are sent to Lang.
September 23rd 1940:
Two more arrive at Lang. Four recon and one artillery spotting missions are flown. At 10:10 AM five Japanese KI-48 's bomb the French airfield at Lang and destroy one Potez and damage another. The remaining aircraft are moved as five more Japanese raids take place this day.
September 24th 1940:
A Potez 631 is assigned to the sector and arrives at 6:30 AM. Between midday and 14:00 it performs a recon of Loc Dinh-Chi My. A Potez 25 escorted by three Moranes of E.C. 1/595 flies over Lan Giai and is attacked by KI-27's, the Japanese claim one aircraft downed, but apparently there were no losses. Between 16:00 and 17:00 hours a Potez 631c on a recon flight spots a Japanese column near Dang Dang. A Loire seaplane patrols Haiphong but reports no enemy activity.
September 25th 1940:
Following the launch of two earlier recon flights by Potez 25, a third, escorted by three Moranes lifts off. One of the escort develops a technical problem and returns to base leaving the remainder to complete the patrol. These two Moranes see another Potez under attack by KI-27's and go to assist, but the Potez is shot down. A second Potez is attacked and again Moranes intervene, but no further details. A Potez 631c on a recon flight is intercepted by two Japanese fighters but out runs them and returns safely to base.
September 26th 1940:
Lang falls to a Japanese assault and the conflict is effectively over. The article states that only one recon flight is performed on this day by Potez 631c, but further on it describes what appears to be the interception of a Japanese twin engined aircraft by Moranes, also on this date. It may be that my interpretation of the translation is at fault here, the outcome though is the destruction of a KI-21.
If anyone is familiar with this article, which appeared originally in a French aviation magazine, and is able to offer a more complete version of these events please feel free to correct my version of events.
Reards, Pete.
21st September 1940:
E.C. 1/595 transfered to Tong. Loire 130 seaplanes of 1/CBS at Hanoi. A Farman 221 flies a recon from Tang over the Gulf of Tonkin. 10 kg bombs are issued for use on Potez 25's.
22nd September 1940:
Japanese forces cross the border to their advanced station near Lang, supported by KI-27and KI-48 aircraft of 84 and 82 Dokoritsu Hiko Fell. Two Potez 25's are sent to Lang.
September 23rd 1940:
Two more arrive at Lang. Four recon and one artillery spotting missions are flown. At 10:10 AM five Japanese KI-48 's bomb the French airfield at Lang and destroy one Potez and damage another. The remaining aircraft are moved as five more Japanese raids take place this day.
September 24th 1940:
A Potez 631 is assigned to the sector and arrives at 6:30 AM. Between midday and 14:00 it performs a recon of Loc Dinh-Chi My. A Potez 25 escorted by three Moranes of E.C. 1/595 flies over Lan Giai and is attacked by KI-27's, the Japanese claim one aircraft downed, but apparently there were no losses. Between 16:00 and 17:00 hours a Potez 631c on a recon flight spots a Japanese column near Dang Dang. A Loire seaplane patrols Haiphong but reports no enemy activity.
September 25th 1940:
Following the launch of two earlier recon flights by Potez 25, a third, escorted by three Moranes lifts off. One of the escort develops a technical problem and returns to base leaving the remainder to complete the patrol. These two Moranes see another Potez under attack by KI-27's and go to assist, but the Potez is shot down. A second Potez is attacked and again Moranes intervene, but no further details. A Potez 631c on a recon flight is intercepted by two Japanese fighters but out runs them and returns safely to base.
September 26th 1940:
Lang falls to a Japanese assault and the conflict is effectively over. The article states that only one recon flight is performed on this day by Potez 631c, but further on it describes what appears to be the interception of a Japanese twin engined aircraft by Moranes, also on this date. It may be that my interpretation of the translation is at fault here, the outcome though is the destruction of a KI-21.
If anyone is familiar with this article, which appeared originally in a French aviation magazine, and is able to offer a more complete version of these events please feel free to correct my version of events.
Reards, Pete.