TIMELINE OF THE...
France pioneers military aviation in the early 20th century, with the Armée de l’Air fighting in conflicts ranging from the World Wars to the War on Terror
1925-34
RIF WAR 02
Aéronautique Militaire aircraft are deployed to French Morocco during the Rif War between the breakaway Republic of Rif in Spanish Morocco and the combined forces of Spain and France. The French conduct aerial operations against Berber tribesmen.
1909-12
AÉRONAUTIQUE MILITAIRE 01
The French recognise the potential of military aviation and from 1909 train army soldiers to fly. The Aéronautique Militaire forms in 1910 as the aviation branch of the French Army and is officially established in 1912. This is the world’s first effective ‘air force’.
1914-18
FIRST WORLD WAR
Aéronautique Militaire uses thousands of aircraft in combat on the Western Front, including fighters and bombers. Innovative French aircraft include the Nieuport and SPAD fighter biplanes. By 1918, Aéronautique Militaire is the world’s largest air force.
August 1933
ARMÉE DE L’AIR
France’s air force is renamed Armée de l’Air when it gains operational independence from the French Army. However, French military aviation programmes remain inadequate during the 1930s compared to the rise of Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe.
10 May – 25 June 1940
BATTLE OF FRANCE 03
Despite being one of the largest in the world, the French Air Force is swiftly defeated during the German invasion of France. It is beset by obsolete aircraft, equipment, communications and military doctrine that enables the Luftwaffe to shoot down many French fighters and bombers.
June 1940 – December 1942
After the fall of the French Third Republic, the pro-Nazi Vichy regime forms its own air force from the partial remains of Armée de l’Air. It fights against the Allies (including the Free French) across the world in North Africa, the Levant, Madagascar and the Far East.
17 Jun
