, the first French single-seat fighter. Dubbed
Escadrille N67 for the
Nieuport two-seaters they operated, the new unit performed numerous
reconnaissance, photographic, artillery direction, and bombing missions. For their efforts, they were cited on 25 January 1916. In July, they were cited a second time, for engaging in 257 combats and downing 11 enemy aircraft. The second citation entitled the unit to wear a
fourragere denoting a unit award of the
Croix de Guerre;
Escadrille N 67 was the first aerial unit to win this award. During that Summer of 1916, the
escadrille traded its two-seaters for Nieuport single-seater fighters. On 1 November 1916, the unit would be incorporated into
Groupe de Combat 13, joining
Escadrille 65,
Escadrille 112, and
Escadrille N.124. single-seat fighter . After service with
GC 13, the
escadrille was detached from the
groupe on 1 June 1917. It was assigned to an
ad hoc Groupe Provisoire de Bonneuil subordinated to
III Armee. After 1 August 1917, the
escadrille re-equipped with
SPAD fighters, becoming
Escadrille SPA.67. On 18 January 1918, it was posted to replace
Escadrille 73 in
Groupe de Combat 12.
Escadrille SPA 67 remained with
GC 12 until war's end. The
escadrille was credited with 42 victories during the war. , typical of the escadrille's equipment.
Escadrille SPA 67 remains an active part of the French Air Force. ==Commanding officers==