 After Operation Torch, French forces in North Africa joined the Allied forces, and Marin la Meslée's unit left for Tafaraoui, Algeria in September 1943 to receive American equipment that eventually materialized as P-39 Airacobras.Marin la Meslée was promoted as CO of his unit, then renamed GC 1/5 "Champagne", on January 9, 1944.The group went back to combat on September 30, 1944, operating from Salon-de-Provence in support of the French and Allied forces pursuing the Germans along the Rhône River, flying mostly ground support missions.