GLAM - Groupe de Liaisons Aériennes Ministérielles

Dassault Falcon 20

Few minutes after takeoff from Vélizy-Villacoublay, en route to Francazal Airbase in Toulouse, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in Rambouillet, about 30 km southwest of its departure point. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Douglas DC-6

The four engine aircraft with dual registration F-RAFB and 43748 was engaged in a flight from Saint-Denis de la Réunion to Paris with an intermediate stop at Djibouti City, on behalf of the Groupe de Liaisons Aériennes Ministérielles (GLAM). It arrived at Saint-Denis Airport in the morning and was supposed to stay an overnight in Saint-Denis. Thus, the crew was released for the day but finally called for a departure in the evening. 55 seconds after takeoff from runway 13 in light rain, the pilot was contacted by the controller at the airport who told him he was turning to the wrong direction and asked him to make an immediate turn to the left while gaining altitude. The pilot acknowledged the message when the left wing struck two araucarias and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 5 km southeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and only one passenger survived while 19 other occupants were killed, among them General Charles Ailleret, Chief of Staff of the French Army. He was returning to Paris following an inspection of the French troops stationed in the Indian Ocean. The only survivor was Mrs Michèle Renard, personal nurse of General Ailleret. Crew: Cpt Pradier, pilot, † Cpt Gaëtan, pilot, † S/Lt Roulot, pilot, † Lt Pezet, radio navigator, † Lt Dombey, radio navigator, † S/Lt Brando, radio navigator, † Adj Ferdonnet, mechanic, † Adj Bouzereau, mechanic, † Sgt Guiho, mechanic, † Adj Berrier, steward, † Sgt Burigo, steward, † Sgt Rouzeau, steward. † Passengers: Gen Charles Ailleret, † Mrs Liliane Ailleret, Gen Ailleret spouse, † Mrs Annick Ailleret, Gen Ailleret daughter, † Gen Henri Carles, chief of staff, † Col Fehner, Aviation chief of staff, † Cpt Philipon, Gen Ailleret personal doctor, † Cpt Commerçon, Gen Ailleret personal aide, † Mrs Michèle Renard, Gen Ailleret personal nurse.

Beechcraft E18

Shortly after takeoff from Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport, while climbing in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the airport. All three crew members were killed. They were performing a positioning flight to Vélizy-Villacoublay Airport near Paris. Crew: Lt Roger Creach, Adj Yves Plancon, Adj Daniel Colomb.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Two takeoff attempts were aborted for unknown reason. After the third takeoff roll, while in initial climb, the pilot informed ground about an engine failure and elected to return for an emergency landing. While completing a last turn to the right to reach the approach path, the aircraft banked right, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located two km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.

North American B-25 Mitchell

The aircraft christened 'Tailly 2' left Oran at 1015LT in marginal weather conditions. Enroute, due to sandstorm, the captain decided to reduce his altitude in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground. Twice, the crew informed ground that his ETA in Colomb-Béchar was delayed about fifteen minutes. While descending at a too low altitude, the twin engine aircraft hit the ground near a railroad and crashed in a huge explosion about 56 km north of Colomb-Béchar. All thirteen occupants were killed, among them the French General Philippe Leclerc. Thirteen bodies were recovered and evacuated to France, but only twelve of them were identified. A thirteenth occupant, wearing a French Army uniform with the grade of Lieutenant was recovered but unidentified. Crew: Lt François-René Delluc, pilot, Lt André-René Pilleboue, navigator, Adj Jean Guillou, mechanic, Sgt Eugène Lamotte, radio operator. Passengers: Gen Philippe Leclerc, Col Théodore Fieschi, Col Charles Clémentin, Col Louis du Garreau de la Méchenie, Col Paul Fouchet, Cpt Georges Frichement, Cdt Michel Meyrrand, S/Lt Robert Miron de L'Espinay.