| Escadrille REP 15 - MS - 15 - N 15 - SPA - 15 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 22 August 1912 - Present |
| Country |  France |
| Branch |  French Air Service |
| Type | Fighter Squadron |
| Home station | Reims |
| Engagements |  World War I |
Escadrille 15 is one of the oldest units of the French Air Force, which was founded on 22 August 1912 at Reims, France, and is still active.
Escadrille 15 was originally equipped with Robert-Esnault-Pelleterie K 80 machines. When World War I erupted, the escadrille went into action. It moved bases 16 times during August and September 1914. On 7 October 1914, it was posted to X Armee of the French Army. [1]
On 30 March 1915, it re-equipped with Morane-Saulnier L aircraft, becoming Escadrille MS 15. In September 1915, it traded machines again, gaining Nieuport 11s and being renamed Escadrille N 15. The escadrille was then consolidated into an ad hoc Groupe de Chasse along with Escadrille F 16 and Escadrille N 57. Under the command of Capitaine Paul de Peuty, this groupe was committed to the Third Battle of Artois. On 24 October 1915, the groupe was cited for its performance. [1]
In early March 1916, Escadrille N 15 moved to the vicinity of Verdun. On 8 May 1916, it was reassigned to X Armee. On 13 December 1916, it moved again, to VI Armee. It was gathered into the new Groupe de Combat 13 on 12 March 1917. The escadrille was detached again from 17 March to 6 June 1917, to support VI Armee. It then rejoined GC 13 for the remainder of the war. [1]
On 17 October 1917, the escadrille was supplied with SPAD fighters, and became Escadrille SPA 15. Under its new designation, the unit would twice be cited for its deeds. On 10 September 1918, it again shared in a groupe citation. Out of the 166 aerial victories scored by GC 13, Escadrille SPA.15 was credited with 73 victories over aircraft and seven over observation balloons. [1]
Escadrille 15 continues its service in the present French Air Force.
Escadrille 3Les Cigognes was a famous French aviation unit during the World War I. It was often referred to as the 'Stork Escadrille N3' due to its insignia. Pilots from Groupe de Combat 12 adopted the name and placed images of storks in different phases of flying on their planes.
Escadrille 103 of the French Air Force was an elite aviation unit on the Western Front during World War I. One of its many aces, René Fonck was the highest scoring Allied fighter-pilot.
Escadrille 12 of the French Air Force was formed in 1912 and known for introducing Nieuport aircraft to the World War I air combat.
Escadrille 26 is a squadron of the French Air Force founded in 1914 and still active today.
Escadrille 73 of the French Air Force originated at Corcieux on 23 May 1915 as Detachment N 49 during the World War I.
Escadrille 65 of the French Air Force was established during World War I. It was founded at Lyon-Bron Airport on 2 August 1915.
Escadrille 67 of the French Air Force was founded at Lyon-Bron Airport during the First World War, on 17 September 1915. On 24 September, they were assigned to the IV Armee of the French Army. By late October, the escadrille was assigned to the defense of Verdun.
Escadrille 23 of the French Air Force was formed at Brie on 4 August 1914.
Escadrille 31 of the French Air Force was founded at the beginning of the World War I, on 24 September 1914, at Dijon Air Base. Once equipped with Morane-Saulnier Ns, it was posted to I Armee of the French Army.
Escadrille 37 of the French Air Force was established at Chateauford, France in January 1915. Its original equipment of Morane-Saulniers led to its original designation of Escadrille MS 37.
Groupe de Combat 11 of the French Air Force was founded on 1 November 1916, being formed by consolidating Escadrilles 12, 31, 48, and 57.
Escadrille MS 57(Squadron Morane-Saulnier 57) of the French Air Force was founded during World War I, on 10 May 1915. Now known as Escadrille 57S, they are currently a training squadron based at BAN Landivisiau flying the Dassault Falcon 10MER.
Escadrille 38, variously known as Escadrille MS38, Escadrille N38, or Escadrille SPA38, was a French fighter squadron founded on 8 January 1915. Fighting until the 11 November 1918 armistice, they were responsible for downing 98 German aircraft in aerial combat.
Escadrille Spa49 was a squadron of the French Air Services active during World War I, from 1915 - 1918. Credited with 37 aerial victories over German aircraft, it won a unit citation on 8 November 1918.
Escadrille Spa.81 was a French fighter squadron active in World War warfare during 1917 and 1918. With nine flying aces in its ranks, it downed 88 German aircraft. It was twice Cited in orders and entitled to the Fourragere of the Croix de Guerre.
Escadrille Spa.97 was a French fighter squadron active during the World War I years of 1917 and 1918. It was credited with destroying 17 enemy airplanes and eight observation balloons.
Escadrille Spa.77 was a French fighter and photo reconnaissance squadron active from 1916 to 1918 during the First World War. They were credited with the destruction of 34 German airplanes and observation balloons, as well as extensive photo intelligence coverage of enemy positions.
Escadrille Spa.78 was a French fighter squadron active from December 1916 until the end of World War I on 11 November 1918. It spent most of its existence as a component of a larger Groupe de Combat involved in offensive operations. The squadron was credited with a minimum of 40 confirmed aerial victories during the war.
Escadrille Spa.112 was a French air force squadron active for the near-entirety of World War I. After serving until mid-1917 in various iterations of a bombing squadron, they were re-equipped with Nieuport fighters. With their Nieuports, and their subsequent SPADs, they destroyed 28 enemy airplanes by the ceasefire.
Escadrille Spa.68 was a French fighter squadron active from Autumn 1915 until the Armistice that ended World War I. It was equipped with a mixed lot of Nieuports until they were gradually replaced by SPADs in November 1917. The squadron was one of four bundled into Groupe de Combat 20 in February 1918. By war's end, Escadrille Spa.68 was credited with the destruction of 15 enemy aircraft.