Free French Air Force
At de Gaulle's initiative, the Free French Air Force "Groupe de Chasse 3 "Normandie"" was formed on September 1, 1942, for service on the Eastern Front along the Soviet 1st Air Army. It served with distinction with Soviet aircraft and was awarded the supplementary title "Niemen" (from the Belaruss river) by Stalin. Its first commander was Jean Tulasne who was KIA