大象传媒

Late in 1916, German submarines began to sink a large number of merchant vessels taking supplies to the front lines. One move aimed at protecting shipping was the setting up of a French seaplane base on Guernsey.

In July 1917, more than 100 French servicemen came to the island to fly and support the aircraft, which were soon protecting convoys and bombing U-boats.

Within a year the base had been awarded the Croix de Guerre for the destruction of 25 submarines, the discovery of various sea mines and minefields, and ensured the safety of numerous convoys.

Location: Model Yacht Pond, St Peter Port Harbour, Guernsey GY11AU
Image shows French WW1 seaplane at sea, moored off Sark coastline. Photo taken by 2nd-Lieutenant Barry Jones, RGLI.
Photograph courtesy of Guernsey Museums & Galleries (States of Guernsey)
Presented by Ben Chapple