Escadrille de Chasse N15/Spa15

Anyone know where once can find online info on Esc 15? Thanks

What kind of info are you looking for ?

basically a history. When it was formed, who the COs where, pilots (I found some here at the Aerodrome but would like more) Motto they might have had, name they called themselves.....

Suppose the motto and the formation and activation/deactivation be nice for a start...OH and what was their insignia called...Heard it was Baylors helm I think...

And thanks for replying ......

Ziggy

Ziggy,
Here some information about Squadron 15.

This unit is created at Rheims on 22 August 1912. Its first equipment consists in REP 80 hp monoplanes. Its first appellation is then REP 15.

In 1914, at the outbreak of the war, REP.15 is commanded by Capitaine (Captain) Geibel and the squadron is attached to the 5th Army. In October 1914, it is transferred to the 10th Army in Artois. At the same time, Capitaine Turin become its CO (KIA in September 1916). The squadron is reequiped with Morane-Saulnier « parasol » in April 1915 and become MS.15. A reconnaissance squadron at the begining, of the war, it become progessively a fighter unit. In May and June 1915, it takes part to the offensive in Artois and, at the same time, it is reunited with F.16 and N.57 in a fighter wing under Capitaine du Pauty.

At the begining of 1916, the squadron is again reequiped, this time with Nieuport 80 and 110 hp becoming thus the N.15. In March and April 1916, it is stationed in the Verdun area, then back to the 10th Army for the Somme offensive of July. By the end of the year it is attached to Groupe de Chasse 13 and takes part to the Chemin de Dames offensive. Meanwhile it receives SPAD VII and become SPA.15. In 1917, the VIIs are replaced by XIIIs which will be in service until the Armistice. From 1917 to the end of the war, SPA.15 will be continuously in action, with 1st, 2nd, 10th, 4th and 6th Armies..

The different airfields on which SPA.15 was stationned are far too numerous to be quoted here.

By November 11th, SPA.15’s score was 73 aicraft and 5 observation balloons destroyed. Its aces were 2nd Lt Gabriel Guérin (23, 22 with SPA.15), 2nd Lt Bernard Arigau (12), 2nd Lt Lucien Jailler (12), WO Armand Berthelot (12) and 2nd Lt Antoine Cordonnier (5, 4 with SPA.15).

SPA.15 insigna was a plumed helm nicknamed in the squadron « Le casque (helm) de Bayard ». (Bayard was a famous 15-16th centuries knight and soldier who fought in every war of that time, and they were many…).

I hope that those informations will help you.

S! Helps a ton!!
By the way which reference material did you find this in? as in name publisher, date printed? OH and THANKS!!!!

I am a Frenchman, that live in France... it helps... I am not that interested in Army aviation, being more specialized in Naval aviation. But I have some books (in French of course...)and some friends (French of course...) that know a lot abour the subject.