In combat against enemy fighters, the M.S.406 often experienced mixed results. While there were isolated incidents of favourable results being achieved with the type even against the capable Bf 109 - that was 100 km/h faster than the Morane - the 406 was usually outclassed by the Luftwaffe fighters. The story or GC III/7 was tragically typical. On 15 May, nine Moranes of this fighter unit encountered a dozen Bf 109s over Mézières. The Messerschmitt's stayed a few thousands feet above their French opponents and dived down in pairs to attack, with a single firing pass, before climbing back and then repeat the attack. Three M.S.406 went spinning down in flames and only one pilot bailed out, severely wounded. A fourth Morane, riddled with bullets, crash-landed at Soissons and was wrecked. A fifth pilot, Sergent Deshons, was wounded in the head by splinters, forcing him to land. Six days later, on 21 May, 17 Morane of the same unit, over Compiègne, intercepted 50 Dorniers escorted by as many Bf 109s. Before the Morane could close in to open fire, the Messerschmitts jumped them and shot down four Moranes almost at once. Two more were so badly damaged that could not be repaired. On their side, the French pilots claimed two Bf109s.