About This File
GBA I/51 France 1940
Breguet BR-693 (13 aircraft)
The Breguet 693 was a light bomber that usually carried 8 50kg bombs.
When they were delivered, the Breguets were popular with their crews, although the unreliable engines in the Br-691 caused headaches. Only in March 1940 were the first combat-worthy Br-693s delivered, and there were now five squadrons to equip: GBA I/51, GBA II/51, GBA I/54, GBA II/54, and GBA II/35, with a theoretical complement of 13 aircraft each.
It showed promise in its role and all Breguet variants (691,693 and 695) flew 500 sorties against the German invasion. 79 Br-693s were lost in action.
It seems most Br-693s went into service without underwing codes. While there are plenty of pictures of this aircraft in Vichy colours, it didn't serve outside metropolitan France and didn't see combat after the Armistice.
Amended DATA and LOADOUT files are included.