First Free French Fighter Squadron of the R.A.F. The Free French Air Force in Great Britain is composed of former members of the Armee De L'Air, the Free French Air Arm, who all had remarkable escapes at the time of the French collapae in June 1940, and of ***** who have volunteered since that date, coming from all parts of the world. The force is under the command of General De Brigade Aerienne Martial Valin, whose rank corresponds with that of Air Commodore in the R.A.F. Hitherto the free French airman have been distributed among R.A.F. Squadrons but now, the first Free French fighter Squadron has been formed. May 01, 1944.