French News

YAM Opens Exhibition dedicated to WWII French Aircrew in Central London

by Ian Richardson June 18, 2013

A new exhibition in Central London created by the Yorkshire Air Museum will be officially opened today 18th June – on the anniversary of General de Gaulle’s appeal to the French people to fight on against the NAZI’s and the creation of the Free French on 18th June 1940. The new exhibition at the Lycee Charles de [...]

BBC 1 – 7:30 – Monday 25th February

by Ian Reed February 20, 2013

The Yorkshire Air Museum will feature in a special edition of BBC1′s “Inside Out” programme on Monday 25th February at 7:30pm. The programme features the remarkable personal search by former BBC TV News presenter Jan Leeming in her quest to find out about an anonymous French air ace, Rene Mouchotte, whose name she sponsored on the Battle of [...]

Henry Lafont dies.

by Ian Reed December 4, 2011

Henry Lafont, the last Free French fighter pilot of the Battle of Britain sadly died on Friday 2 December 2011. He will be buried with full military honours in Les Invalides in Paris on Wednesday 7th December. Henry and René MOUCHOTTE (who was the only non-Commonwealth officer to command a British Squadron) escaped from North Africa in the same stolen aircraft [...]

Another film up for 2012 London Awards

by Ian Reed November 26, 2011

Following the successful nomination of “Flightpaths” at last year’s IWM London Film Festival it has just been announced that “De lourds souvenirs” (Heavy Memories) by Genevieve Monneris and her son Thomas Lesgoirres has been chosen for the 2012 Festival. The film is about Genevieve’s father, Col. Andre Guedez (91), who was present at this year’s French in York [...]

Cérémonies du Souvenir – 13 novembre 2011

by Ian Reed November 9, 2011

Cérémonies du Souvenir – 13 novembre 2011 Dimanche 13 novembre 2011. Cette année, les cérémonies du souvenir se dérouleront au Mémorial de l’Armée de l’Air Française (route d’York), à Elvington à 11h00 et au Allied Air Forces Memorial à 12h30 au Yorkshire Air Museum. Des représentants de la Royal Air Force et de l’Armée de [...]

French In York Week 17th – 23rd October

by Ian Reed November 2, 2011

At 10:30am on 20th October this year, the inauguration of the French Air Force Memorial took place in York Minster – the 66th anniversary of the French heavy bomber squadrons leaving Elvington to return to liberated France. Over 2500 visitors of all nationalities attended the Minster from Britain, France and other nations including veterans, servicemen and women [...]

Remembrance Ceremonies – 13th November 2011

by Ian Reed October 31, 2011

Sunday 13th November 2011. This year’s Remembrance Ceremonies will take place at the French Air Force Memorial in York Road, Elvington at 11:oo followed by the Allied Air Forces Memorial ceremony at 12:30 at the Yorkshire Air Museum. The well supported ceremony at the French Memorial, Elvington Village, will feature the colourful Parade of Scouts, [...]

French Air Force Memorial – Update

by Ian Reed May 14, 2011

The Inauguration of the French Air Force Memorial in York Minster on October 20th 2011 is growing into a week long series of events across the City of York. With exhibitions, displays, lectures, presentations and even a film premier the City of York has opened the doors to a whole range of Anglo / French [...]

Two Lovely Movies on Elvington Based Heavy Bomber Squadrons

by admin March 30, 2011

Two highly evocative short films by Yohan Zedoun about the only two French heavy bomber squadrons of WWll. Based at RAF Elvington these two squadrons lost 50% of their aircrew in just 18 months in actions over France ad Germany. These atmospheric films, with footage taken maily at Elvington, also show Yohan’s grandfather Emile Machaly [...]

Petit France (Elvington’s Wartime Name)

by Ian Reed January 13, 2011

During World War Two, the only French Heavy Bomber Squadrons were based at Elvington, York. Over 2000 French airmen from 346 Guyenne and 347 Tunisie Squadrons lived in and around the city. Along with British and Allied crews within RAF Bomber Command, over 50% of their young aircrews were killed, often in horrific circumstances, for [...]