I was listening to Bernard (the French commentator) during the Dewoitine display at Flying Legends and on both days he made the point that during the Battle of France a 1/4 of the Luftwaffe aircraft were lost. As a result the Battle of Britain was less challenging than it could have been
His implication was that the Armee de l’air through their sacrifices in the air during the Fall of France avoided the Fall of Britain during the ensuing Battle of Britain.
What was annoying me was a small recollection that British aircraft may also have been involved – so I have just been reading the book – Battle of France then and now. At the end is a tally sheet
Germany – 1814 aircraft lost (3278 crew lost)
France – 1403 aircraft lost (923 crew lost)
What Bernard may have overlooked was:
Britain 1067 aircraft lost (1127 crew lost)
Holland 264 aircraft lost ( 55 crew lost)
Belgium 327 aircraft lost (53 crew lost)
It does sound like the Dewoitine may have had some foreign assistance.
Irrespective of nationality – the loss of 5000 crew and ca. 5000 aircraft show that it was a hell of a fight with many losses and I agree with Bernard on that!
By: Sealand Tower - 5th August 2009 at 09:30
Thanks for that Consul. Talking of things French I came across a story somewhere…probably Warbirds Information Exchange…about a gentleman in Texas building from scratch a flyable Potez 633….!
By: mike currill - 5th August 2009 at 09:18
In your enthusiasm to put some balance into the contention I fear you’ve mixed up your Dewoitines with your Morane-Saulniers. 😉 The aircraft displayed at Legends was a license built MS.406.
Tim
I guess we have all seen prettier aircraft but I find it strangely attractive and still enjoy seiing it fly, especially as there is only that one airworthy. I think that it is the only one in existence though I may be wrong.
By: Consul - 1st August 2009 at 17:35
what happened to the rest of the aircraft after the accident?
The aircraft was destroyed in the crash which sadly was fatal.
Tim
By: pat1968 - 1st August 2009 at 10:10
dewoitine 520
what happened to the rest of the aircraft after the accident?
By: Consul - 31st July 2009 at 21:22
Wasn’t there a D.520 flying a few years ago ?
There was indeed. I recall it before its restoration to airworthy condition and its appearances at Ferte Alais in the 1980s. It was IIRC destroyed in a crash. Here’s a link to a website showing some photos of the machine:
http://www.choiquehobbies.com.ar/revista/notas/d520/d520e.htm
By: trumper - 31st July 2009 at 21:03
:rolleyes: The commentator also adds a pinch of salt and biased opinion if you ask me.
By: Sealand Tower - 31st July 2009 at 20:16
Wasn’t there a D.520 flying a few years ago ?
By: DCK - 31st July 2009 at 20:10
Excuse me for saying, but I’ve seen prettier aeroplanes in my time…:p
By: Consul - 31st July 2009 at 17:24
In your enthusiasm to put some balance into the contention I fear you’ve mixed up your Dewoitines with your Morane-Saulniers. 😉 The aircraft displayed at Legends was a license built MS.406.
Tim
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July 31, 2009 at 4:54 pm