| Escadrille Spa.69 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1915–1918 |
| Country |  France |
| Branch |  French Air Service |
| Type | Fighter Squadron |
| Battle honours | TwiceMentioned in dispatches;Fourragere of theCroix de Guerre |
Escadrille Spa.69 (originally namedEscadrille N.69) was a French fighter squadron derived from one of its military's oldest aviation units. Active from September 1915 until the 11 November 1918 Armistice, theescadrille campaigned on both the Western and Italian Fronts withX Armee. It was credited with 38 aerial combat victories.
Escadrille Spa.69 had its origins in one of France's oldest military aviation units; BL C5 was an observation unit flyingBleriots that was attached to the cavalry. Personnel were drawn from BL C5 in September 1915 to formEscadrille N. 69, which was equipped withNieuport fighters.[1]
The squadron was posted toX Armee. On 28 February 1916, theescadrille moved to theBattle of Verdun. They returned toX Armee in July.[1]
When the squadron had notched 20 aerial victories, it wasMentioned in dispatches. On 28 October 1917, the squadron accompaniedX Armee to the Italian theater of operations. While in Italy, the squadron was re-equipped withSPAD fighters, changing its name toEscadrille Spa.69.[1]
The newly outfitted squadron accompaniedX Armee in its return to the Western Front, transferring on 26 March 1918. On 30 September 1918,Escadrille Spa.69 was Mentioned in dispatches a second time, credited with destruction of 34 enemy aircraft. This second citation gave the unit the right to display theFourragere of theCroix de Guerre.[1]
By the Armistice,Escadrille Spa.69 was credited with destroying 38 enemy aircraft.[1]
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