Sir, – Further to Michael O'Loughlin's review of Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance, by Robert Gildea (September 5th), Charles de Gaulle and his Free French were certainly not a "small and powerless group" nor was he "loathed and disregarded" by Churchill. The Free French Air Force, which joined with the RAF two years before the Americans entered the war, were much appreciated by him, and included many famous squadrons, including those named Cross of Lorraine, Alsace and Normandy. Their contributions to the Allied war efforts were noteworthy and diverse (the Normandy squadron served with great distinction in Russia).
Free French contributions to the air war extended beyond service in war-torn skies. My lifelong friend, Roland Lepers (now, like myself, 93 years young), who joined me at wartime flying training school prior to active service, had been a member of the Resistance before he joined the Free Air Force. He was part of the organisation led by the legendary Dr Albert Guerrisee, whose nom de guerre was Patrick O'Leary. This organisation took on the role of transferring Allied airmen from the occupied territories back to England, so that they could return to combat.
Roland joined the Free French Air Force following his delivery to the safety of Spain, for onward transfer, of a group of 12 airmen. He had been advised not to return to occupied France because the Gestapo had discovered his identity and his role in the Resistance. Recognition of his role in that organisation and in the air war led to the award of the Légion d'honneur.
One of the pilots Roland rescued was Group Capt Hal Bufton, who together with his brother Air Vice Marshal Sidney Osborne Bufton, played a pivotal role in the development of the Pathfinder Force, the elite of Bomber Command. The Buftons flew in the force that attacked and destroyed Hitler’s rocket site at Peenemunde, as did fellow Dubliners Pat Connery of Fairview, and Jim Redmond of Terenure. – Yours, etc,
FRANCIS P LEADON,
Castlepollard,
Co Westmeath.