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Free French Air Forces | |
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Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres | |
Active | 17 June 1940–8 May 1945 |
Country | France |
Type | Air force |
Role | Aerial warfare |
Size | 900 (1941) |
Part of | Free French Forces |
Engagements | World War II |
The Free French Air Forces (French: Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres, FAFL) were the air arm of the Free French Forces in the Second World War, created by Charles de Gaulle in 1940. The designation ceased to exist in 1943 when the Free French Forces merged with General Giraud's forces. The name was still in common use however, until the liberation of France in 1944, when they became the French Air Army. Martial Henri Valin commanded them from 1941 to 1944, then stayed on to command the Air Army.