Active 1914 Branch French Air Service Engagements World War I | Country France Type Fighter Squadron | |
Escadrille 23 of the French Air Force was formed at Brie on 4 August 1914.
Contents
History
Escadrille 23 was equipped with Morane-Saulniers and forwarded to VI Armee of the French Army in September, and transferred to IV Armee in October 1914. Later that month, it moved to the Somme. It would operate from there until 6 August 1915. It then returned to the VI Armee for a short spell before being posted to IV Armee on 21 August 1915.
On 20 September 1915, the unit re-equipped with Nieuports and became Escadrille N23. Its performance earned it a citation in orders on 5 November 1916. It was credited with victories over 17 enemy aircraft and four observation balloons.
On 3 February 1917, the escadrille was posted to VII Armee; it soon moved to support II Armee. On 19 March 1918, the escadrille earned the fourragere of the Croix de guerre by being cited again, for downing another 23 enemy airplanes. The unit subsequently retooled with SPAD fighters, but did not change its designation to Escadrille SPA.23 until August 1918. Wartime victories for Escadrille SPA.23 totaled 59 aircraft destroyed.
Escadrille SPA.23 still serves in today's French Air Force.