Quote:
Originally posted by Kai-Petri:
Normandie-Niemen Regiment was a unit of Free French.
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Interestingly, as the regiment became famous they were given a free pick of what aircraft type they wanted to operate, Soviet or Lend-Lease, as they were something of a showcase unit for the Soviets. Not surprisingly they eventually ended up picking the outstanding lightweight fighter of the war, the Yak-3.
They flew this aircraft to the end of the war, when apparently each pilot received their aircraft as a pesonal gift for their outstanding service. Dunno how many were able to take this high-powered piece of military hardware with them back to France though!
