Yak-3 Fighter from the Normandie-Niemen Squadron Preparing for Departure to France — June 1945

July 28, 2025 - Reading time: 6 minutes

Soviet Yak-3 fighter from the Normandie-Niemen squadron, ready for departure to France in June 1945, marking the end of WWII and Soviet-French collaboration.

This historic photograph shows a Soviet Yak-3 fighter from the Normandie-Niemen squadron, stationed at an airfield near Stuttgart, Germany, on June 20, 1945, preparing for its departure to France. After the end of World War II, the Soviet Union gifted 41 Yak-3 fighters to France, in recognition of the French pilots' contribution to the fight against Nazi Germany as part of the Normandie-Niemen squadron.

The Yak-3, a lightweight, high-performance fighter, had earned a reputation for its agility and effectiveness in combat. It played a key role in the Soviet Union's victory during the final stages of the war, and by June 20, 1945, French pilots were flying these iconic planes back to France. The Yak-3 remained in French service until 1956, continuing to serve in the post-war era and marking a significant chapter in Soviet-French relations.

The Normandie-Niemen squadron was one of the most distinguished foreign air units in the Soviet Red Army Air Force during the war, and the Yak-3 served as an important symbol of the cooperation between France and the Soviet Union.

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

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