A session of FranClub was held at the Primakov Centre (Samara), dedicated to the history of the “Normandie-Niemen” fighter regiment and its contribution to the victory over fascism during the Second World War.
The guest of honor and lecturer, Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor of the Department of Romance-Germanic Philology and Foreign Regional Studies of Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education, Alina Ivanovna Abdulova, presented an informative lecture on the formation of the “Normandie-Niemen” fighter regiment and the fate of French pilots and Soviet mechanics who went through numerous battles, hardships, and trials together.
The squadron consisted of 72 French volunteers and 17 Soviet aircraft mechanics.
Four French pilots of the “Normandie-Niemen” regiment were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union: Marcel Albert, Roland de la Poype, Jacques André, and Marcel Lefèvre.
During the session, attendees also watched the documentary “Normandie-Niemen. Monologue” with great interest. The film tells the story of the legendary Soviet-French squadron. Its core consists of vivid monologues and recollections by the participants, their descendants, and researchers of this historical period.
The story of the “Normandie-Niemen” regiment has become a symbol of friendship between the peoples of Russia and France, born in the struggle against a common enemy — a symbol of combat brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support between Soviet and French pilots.
