French SBD 166 of the 4th Flottille Bombardement 4FB
In anticipation of the invasion of Europe, the original Aeronavale units previously flying Consolidated Catalinas were withdrawn to Agadir, Morocco, in April 1944 to re-equip with Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft. The first unit to receive the new aircraft was the 3rd Flottille de Bombardement (3 FdB) under Lieutenant Felix Orton, known to the US Navy as VFB-1 of FAW-15. An intensive training program was conducted to familiarize Aeronavale air and ground crews with the Dauntless and its attack methods. During training, the unit suffered its first loss on 21 July and another on 19 August, both accidents resulting in the deaths of the crews.
Despite these setbacks, on 21 September 1944, 3 FdB moved to Port-Lyautey under a US Navy liaison officer’s command. They became part of the Moroccan Sea Frontier Forces, conducting numerous patrols and providing convoy air cover. By the end of September 1944, 3 FdB was launching six aircraft daily on patrols, which reduced to two per day by mid-October as enemy activity along the African coast decreased. Operations ceased in early November.
Establishment of 4th Flottille de Bombardement
Following 3 FdB, the 4th Flottille de Bombardement (4 FdB) arrived in Agadir in May 1944 to convert to the SBD-5 under Lieutenant Raymond Behic. The crews also familiarized themselves with American English due to US Navy instructors. Once training was complete, the unit was designated VFB-2 of FAW-15. A rotating detachment to Gibraltar was established to guard convoys entering the Mediterranean and monitor Axis submarines. Although the Aeronavale pilots found the Dauntless slow with a short range, they appreciated its handling.
D-Day and the French Liberation
With the invasion of France on 6 June 1944, both Flottilles were eager to participate but were hampered by a lack of suitable bombs and disagreements between the USAAF and the US Navy regarding their optimal use. Ultimately, the commander of FAW-15 managed to place both Flottilles under US Army command near Bordeaux to target German resistance pockets on the Atlantic coast. On 22 and 23 November 1944, the Flottilles moved to Cognac. Supplies and bombs were delivered by USAAF C-47s, and non-flying personnel were transported via the SS Duquesne and Catalinas from Flottilles 6 F.E and 8 F.E.
Winter Operations and Tactical Air Force Integration
By December 1944, Aeronavale No. 2, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Francis Laine with 36 aircraft, was ready for action on the Saintonge front, attached to the Atlantic Air Forces under General Comiglion-Moliner. Coordinated airstrike operations involved SBDs and A-24Bs, targeting German forces and their anti-aircraft defenses. Throughout December 1944 and January 1945, they conducted numerous successful attacks on retreating German forces.
Transition to Coastal Command Duties
In early 1945, the SBDs were assigned coastal command duties despite severe manpower shortages. They focused on defensive areas around U-boat pens until new supplies and reinforcements arrived in mid-April. The final German resistance pockets were heavily bombed, leading to their eventual surrender.
Post-War Reorganization and Carrier Operations
In August 1944, the French naval base at Hyeres near Toulon was recaptured, and by early 1945 it was refurbished for Aeronavale use. The carrier HMS Biter, renamed Dixmude, was loaned to France by the US Navy to operate the Dauntless aircraft of Flottille 3F. Later, HMS Colossus, renamed Arromanches, was acquired from Britain, providing better maintenance facilities. By November 1946, both Flottilles deployed aboard the carrier for qualification flying, despite the challenges of operating from a smaller deck.
Deployment to Indochina
In January 1947, Dixmude departed for French Indochina with Flottille 3F. The territory, under Vichy control during WWII, had been occupied by Japan and later governed by the Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh. The Aeronavale units continued their operations in the region, supporting French efforts during the post-war period.