During the First World War, French aviation was a worthy rival to the Kaiser Air Force - the French "newpores" and "recessions" were in no way inferior to the German "fockers" and "albatrosses," and the names of the famous "Gallic" aces are inscribed in gold history. Where did all this loud fame disappear by the beginning of World War II? Why in 1940 could the vaunted Armée de l'Eure (French air force) not fight back against the Luftwaffe? What is the reason for the crushing defeat of French aviation - are aircraft designers and industrialists to blame for not providing it with modern aircraft, or general headquarters that have adopted a vicious aircraft program, or insufficient training of French pilots? A new book by a leading Air Force historian answers these questions by analyzing the combat capabilities of all French World War II fighters without exception (both the latest and outdated, not only mass, but also experimental vehicles) and the features of their combat use at all stages of the French campaign - both during the "Strange War," and during the German Blitzkrieg. Of particular interest is information about the actions of Vichy aviation in North Africa, Syria, Indochina, Senegal and Madagascar, as well as about the combat operations of the fighter units of Free France, including the legendary Normandy-Niemen regiment.