CAEN: Eighty years ago, the French air regiment “Normandy,” commanded by Major Pierre Pouyade, was deployed to the 3rd Belorussian Front.
This regiment, known as the “Normandy-Neman” Regiment, was the first separate French fighter aviation unit to participate in the Great Patriotic War on the Soviet-German front against Nazi Germany. In November 1942, 72 volunteers of the Normandy Squadron arrived in the USSR.
During the summer of 1944, the French fighter regiment, part of the 303rd Air Division, played a significant role in the liberation of Belarus during Operation “Bagration,” from June 23 to August 29, 1944.
The regiment provided air cover for the troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front, engaged in combat with enemy aircraft, and targeted enemy airfields at Bolbasovo, Dokudovo, near Tolochin, and Borisov (Belarus).
Following the conclusion of Operation “Bagration,” starting from September 1, 1944, the French regiment supported infantry and tank units involved in reconnaissance south of the Neman River. Subsequently, it was stationed in the village of Antonovo between Kaunas and Koenigsberg, participating in battles in the Baltic States.
From 1943 to 1945, the pilots of the Normandy-Neman air regiment flew over 5,000 combat sorties and engaged in 869 aerial battles, shooting down approximately 280 enemy planes. On November 28, 1944, in recognition of their successful actions during the crossing of the Neman River, the regiment was bestowed with the honorary name “Neman,” becoming known as the “Normandy-Neman” Regiment.
Throughout the war, many pilots were awarded orders and medals by the USSR. The regiment suffered losses totaling 42 personnel.
In honor of the Normandie-Neman Regiment, a street in Borisov (Belarus) bears its name, and one of the schools in Borisov hosts a museum dedicated to the history of the French air regiment.
In the Vitebsk region, in the village of Kopti, there stands a stele commemorating the pilots with the inscription “Distant France! On this land, your sons fought and died.” One of the Yak-3 airplanes used by the legendary air regiment is currently preserved at the Museum of Aviation and Astronautics at the “Le Bourget” air show in France.
