- Yes
- No
Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I am presenting one of the aircraft operated by the Free French Air Forces: the B-25 Mitchell. This is probably one of the more difficult aircraft I have had to propose, mainly because information about its use by French forces is surprisingly scarce.
At the beginning of the Second World War, the French armed forces found themselves in an extremely difficult situation, fighting the German invasion while simultaneously trying to defend the country’s overseas territories. Following the French surrender in 1940, the situation became even more complicated, as military personnel were forced to choose between following the Vichy government or continuing the fight alongside the Allies. A number of officers, pilots, and other servicemen refused to accept the armistice and joined the Free French Forces.
Among the units formed by these forces was the 1/20 “Lorraine” Bomber Group, established in Chad. Initially equipped with Bristol Blenheim bombers, the unit carried out numerous missions against Axis forces and installations across North Africa. Between its creation and 1943, its crews flew hundreds of sorties against German and Italian interests within operational range.
The unit was subsequently placed under British command and transferred to the United Kingdom, where it was redesignated No. 342 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Equipped primarily with the Douglas Boston III, the squadron quickly became an experienced and effective bombing unit, carrying out numerous missions over occupied Europe.
However, among the aircraft operated by the French during this period was one that is rarely mentioned: the North American B-25 Mitchell. Following their arrival in Britain, French crews received several Mitchells for operational use (at least two versions were used—the Mitchell II and Mitchell III, the British designations for the B-25C and B-25J). The exact number of aircraft involved remains uncertain, with different sources giving different figures, and it is possible that additional aircraft were operated for a limited period (21 aircraft were used according to wikipedia) .
Unfortunately, the history of these French B-25s is particularly difficult to reconstruct. The records concerning their individual careers, missions, and eventual fates are incomplete, making it difficult to determine exactly how many aircraft were operated or how long they remained in French hands. What is known, however, is that at least one of the French Mitchells was later converted for transport duties, giving it a completely different role after its time as a bomber.
This particular aircraft is especially noteworthy because of its connection to General Philippe Leclerc, one of the most famous commanders of the Free French Forces during the Second World War. After the war, Leclerc continued to serve in the French military and was sent to Indochina. In 1947, he was killed in an aircraft accident while traveling aboard a French B-25 Mitchell.
I will therefore present the specifications and armament of the B-25C below; the B-25J will be the subject of a separate suggestion (which will be very similar).
I may have made mistakes regarding certain aircrafts models, and I apologize in advance; please feel free to correct me if you spot any.
Picture : “Des bombardiers moyens North American B-25 Mitchell du groupe de bombardement Lorraine sont au roulage avant leur décollage.” from french archives and text edited by myself
Characteristics
Length : 16.13 m
Width : 20.60 m
Height : 4.98 m
Mass :
- Empty : 8 836 kg
- Full : 15 878 kg
The aircraft is powered by two Wright R-2600-9 Twin Cyclone engines, each developing 1,700 hp, enabling it to reach a top speed of 438 km/h and a service ceiling of 7,400 m. Its range at a cruising speed of 370 km/h is 2,170 km.
Weapons
Armament is the only feature that distinguishes the two aircraft within the FAFL, as the markings are virtually identical and documentation is almost non-existent. Fortunately, the C and J versions are easily told apart: the C has its upper turret positioned towards the rear, whereas the J has it towards the front.
Offensive armament:
- 1,360 kg of bombs of various types
- 2 x 12.7mm machine guns (likely removed, as they do not appear in images of French aircraft).
Defensive armament:
- 2 x 12.7mm machine guns (rear turret)
- 2 x 12.7mm machine guns (dorsal turret, toward the rear)
- 2 x 12.7mm machine guns (side mounts, likely removed, as they do not appear in images of French aircraft)
- The ventral turret with twin 12.7mm machine guns, found on British Mitchell Mk.IIs, does not appear to have been included on the aircraft delivered to the FAFL; indeed, it does not appear in any of the images.
In-game, this aircraft would be an interesting addition to the French tree, providing a medium bomber with heavy defensive armament and rounding out the bomber line alongside the already present B-26 Marauder.
