SB2C-5 Helldivers and F6F-5 Hellcats flying from French carrier Arromanches during the First Indochina War circa 1954

[hw97karbine]

 

[John D. Voss]

The French Navy also operated some Douglas SBD's in their Indo China War. I am curious as to the final dispostion of these aiircraft...returned to France or deep sixed?

 

[Gnomey]

Nice one!

 

[EwenS]

The French Navy also operated some Douglas SBD's in their Indo China War. I am curious as to the final dispostion of these aiircraft...returned to France or deep sixed?

The first batch of Aeronavale SBD-5 left France on the escort carrier Dixmude (ex HMS Biter) on Jan 1947 arriving in Indochina on 3 March. 9 aircraft of 3FB / 3F. She then returned to France in April and after a refit took the SBD-5 equipped 4FB / 4F to Indochina, arriving in theatre on 20 Oct. These two units seem to have spent most of their time flying from shore bases due to limitations of flying from Dixmude's deck. At some point their aircraft seem to have been combined into a single squadron 3F. These aircraft flew their last combat sorties at the end of March 1948. By July 1949 (?) they had been retired, probably being scrapped in theatre. Dixmude herself was reduced to ferry carrier status in mid-1948.

Arromanches (ex HMS Colossus) brought another 10-12 SBD-5 (sources vary as to the exact number) of 4F to Indochina in Nov 1948. By mid Jan 1949 servicability problems were an issue at which point they were returned to France when Arromanches left for home, or at least the survivors were.

Escadrille 54S, a training unit in France continued to use them until late 1949 and in 1950 replaced them with SB2C Helldivers.