Escadrille Normandie Niemen by Roy Grinnell

The Groupe de Chasse GC3 Normandie was formed in 1942 by General de Gaulle to represent the Free French forces on the eastern front. It trained in Rayak on Dewoitine 520 and moved to Ivanovo where it was trained on Yak 1. Early in 1943 more personnel joined this early group and three squadrons were formed. In August 1943 the Yak 9 replaced the battle weary Yak 1. After a rest period in Toula (Near Moscow) during the winter of 1943, the group resumed fighting early in 1944. It took part in the Battle of Borovskie and, on June 26, the river Niemen is crossed. It was then that the name of the Unit changed for Normandie Niemen and starts fighting the final offensive. On May 8, 1945, the group is at Heiligenbeil, near Poland.

At the end of the hostilities, the group totaled 273 confirmed victories, 37 probable, 869 combat missions flown in 4534 hours. Of the 97 pilots who took part in the fighting, 42 died in combat.

Signed in France by Normandie Niemen Aces Gen. Joseph Risso and Roland de la Poype. There is also a limited number of prints that were signed in Florida by the legendary French Ace Marcel Albert. All prints are signed by Roy Grinnell

Signatures:

General Joseph RISSO

Roland De La POYPE

Marcel ALBERT