No. 342 (GB I/20 'Lorraine') Squadron RAF

RAF 342 Squadron

Motto: Nous Y Sommes (We are here)

Role: Light Bombardment Group

No. 342 (GB I/20 'Lorraine') Squadron RAF

Active: 7 April 1943 – 2 December 1945
Country: United Kingdom
Allegiance: Free French Forces
Branch: Royal Air Force
Part of RAF Fighter Command
Nickname: GB I/20 'Lorraine'
Motto: Nous Y Sommes (We are here)
Insignia: On a billet in bend indented to the base, three alérions
Squadron code: OA (Apr 1943 – Dec 1945)

The No. 342 Squadron also known in French as 'Groupe de Bombardement n° 1/20 Lorraine', was a Free French squadron in the RAF during World War II.

History

No. 342 Squadron was formed on 7 April 1943 at RAF West Raynham with personnel from the Free French Air Forces (Forces aériennes françaises libres) transferred from the Middle East, in particular the personnel of the French escadrilles 'Metz' and 'Nancy'. The squadron was part of No. 2 Group RAF of RAF Bomber Command and equipped with Douglas Mk IIIA Bostons (aka Douglas A-20C Havocs). They later moved with their sister squadron No. 88 Squadron to RAF Hartford Bridge.

While flying Bostons, the aircraft of the Squadron featured in the film The Way to the Stars.

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 the Allied invasion.

In October 1944 the squadron relocated to France from where it continued to support the Allied advance. In March/April 1945 the Bostons were replaced by North American B-25 Mitchells and the squadron relocated to the Netherlands. The squadron was transferred from RAF control to the French Air Force ( Armée de l'Air ) on 2 December 1945.

Among those who served with the squadron as aircrew was the novelist (and post-war diplomat) Romain Gary.

Web Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._342_Squadron_RAF