On Tuesday 10th October, the Royal Air Force Club was honoured to host an event celebrating the enduring partnership between the Royal Air Force and the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace. The event commemorated French aviators within the Royal Air Force during WW2.

The attendees at the Royal Air Force Club including Club Trustees Gp Capt James Beldon and Gp Capt Al Lockwood were welcomed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng, Chief of the Air Staff, and Général d'Armée Stéphane Mille, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force. Insignias of the French Air Force and French Navy units enrolled in the Royal Air Force were presented to the Club. Alongside this, a painting by Jame's Prunier was unveiled commemorating Commandant René Mouchette, who died 80 years ago in a British Spitfire, flying for France and fighting for a free Europe. Sir Richard Knighton noted his skill, heroism and sacrifice serves as a symbol of the bond between our air forces. We are proud to display this painting, and the unit emblems of the Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres that now complete our collection here at the RAF Club.