1941: Gnome & Rhône takes control of the Lorraine aero-engine firm.

1944: Two-thirds of the Gnome & Rhône plant in Gennevilliers is destroyed during a bombardment (May 10).

1945: Gnome & Rhône is nationalized, and Snecma created (May 29).

1945: Snecma creates new Flight Testing and Jet Engine departments.

1946: Creation of the "Group O", headed by Dr. Oestrich, which will develop the Snecma Atar jet engine.

1946: Snecma takes control of the Lorraine aero-engine firm.

1948: tests kick off on Atar prototype (March 26).

1948: Turbomeca tests its first jet engine, called the Pimene.

1949: Hispano-Suiza produces the Nene jet under license from Rolls-Royce.