Rare grouping RAF 342 Squadron , Free French squadron.

grouping of 30 pictures from the RAF No. 342 Squadron

Really rare, one of a kind grouping of 30 pictures from the RAF No. 342 Squadron, well known as ‘Groupe de Bombardement n° 1/20 “Lorraine’ and was a Free French squadron.

These pictures were made by one photographer, and kept together after the war.
Seen in the pictures are formations of b25 bombers, a low leven reconnaissance of Cologne Germany and 1 pictures of Gliders at D-day.

No.342 Squadron was formed on 7 april 1943 with personal from the Free French Air Force ,in particular the personnel of the French Escadrilles “Metz” and “Nancy”. The squadron flew low-level bombing and strafing missions (nicknamed “hedgehopping”), over France and the Netherlands, in particular against V-1 bases in Northern France and selected sites connected with the preparation for D-Day.

In October 1944 the squadron relocated to France from where it continued to support the Allied advance. end 1944, begin 1945 the Bostons were replaced by B-25 Mitchells and the squadron relocated to the South of The Netherlands, Gilze-rijen. The squadron was transferred from RAF control to the French Air Force ( Armée de l’Air ) on 2 December 1945.