The primary French versions became the "LeO H-257" and "LeO H-258" marks. In the former, the Hispano-Suiza engines were given up for Gnome-Rhone 14Kbrs series powerplants and an enclosed cockpit made the type slightly more modern. This aircraft served as the pre-production form for the "LeO H-257bis" mark to follow. By this time, the engines were upgrade to Gnome-Rhone 14Kirs series engines and the nose gun tub was covered over for some crew comfort and modernization. The understructure of the aircraft was also reinforced for robustness. Some 60 of the type were taken on by the French Air Force. In the latter, the "LeO H-258" - based on the H-257bis - was hurried along though with Hispano-Suiza 12Nbr engines instead. This was to shore up stocks of the bomber until the H-257bis could be had in number. Some 26 of this mark were procured.
LeO 25 series bombers in service with the French Air Force were operated across a single bomber group - the Groupe de Bombardment 11/25. The French Navy operated the type across seven total escadrilles. Beyond their use by Brazil and Romania, the LeO 25 did not enjoy widespread service outside of France but in practice, it proved a serviceable, reliable, and rugged aircraft for its time.
The line did see considerable service in the years leading up to World War 2. They were put on "neutrality patrols" during the regional instability brought about by the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Their ability to be rigged for land-based work or sea-based launches/recovery allowed for tactical flexibility in and around French airspace. Bomber group 11/25 was formed within French-held territory in North Africa. Despite its technological obsolescence, its early 1930s introduction ensured that some were on hand during the early battles of World War 2.
The war began on September 1st, 1939 with the German invasion of Poland. After the fall of the Low Countries, the Battle of France began. What LeO 25 airframes still remained serviceable were pressed into combat roles for which they eventually proved ill-suited for. Early sorties revolved around maritime patrolling of French waters and these graduated to land bombing of advancing German forces. However, the aircraft's size and speed made for easy targets in the modern war and the series did not fare well in the ensuing sorties. France eventually fell to the invading Germans and would have to suffer both the humiliation and viciousness of defeat to its long-time enemy for years, even decades after formal fighting had ended.
At least 50 of the LeO 25s were still in flyable condition after the French surrender and this batch now fell to the Axis-aligned Vichy government. With their best flying days behind them, however, the line was withheld from any further serious battlefield work and relegated to training instead. The last airframes were given up for good in 1944.
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