Yak-3 Fighter from Normandie-Niemen Squadron with American Technicians — June 1945

July 28, 2025 - Reading time: 7 minutes

Soviet Yak-3 fighter from the Normandie-Niemen squadron, with American technicians inspecting the aircraft before its flight to France in June 1945.

This photograph captures a Soviet Yak-3 fighter from the legendary Normandie-Niemen squadron, stationed at an airfield near Stuttgart, Germany, in June 1945. American technical personnel are seen inspecting the cockpit of the aircraft before its departure to France. Following the end of World War II, the Soviet Union gifted 41 Yak-3 fighters to France, where they were flown by the French pilots of the Normandie-Niemen squadron.

The Yak-3, known for its agility and firepower, was a crucial aircraft during the Soviet Union's air victories. After the war, the aircraft became part of the French Air Force, serving until 1956. On June 20, 1945, the French pilots, flying the Yak-3s, made their way back to France, marking the end of an era of Soviet-French cooperation on the battlefield.

This photograph not only highlights the technological collaboration between Soviet Union and United States after the war but also commemorates the French pilots' heroic service and their role in the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany. The presence of American technicians symbolizes the close military cooperation that was forged during the final years of World War II.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: Unknown
📍 Location: Stuttgart, Germany
📅 Date of photo: June 20, 1945
📷 Photographer: Unknown

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• Normandie-Niemen squadron

• Soviet-French cooperation WWII

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• Post-war aviation

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