Capitaine Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard was a

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviation, military aviator credited with shooting down a certain minimum number of enemy aircraft during aerial combat; the exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ...

credited with seven aerial victories.The Aerodrome websit

Retrieved 7 August 2020

Biography

Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard was born at

Rouen Rouen (, ; or ) is a city on the River Seine, in northwestern France. It is in the prefecture of Regions of France, region of Normandy (administrative region), Normandy and the Departments of France, department of Seine-Maritime. Formerly one ...

, France on 28 September 1888.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 157. Although it is not known just when he began his mandatory military service, he was serving as a

Brigadier Brigadier ( ) is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore (rank), commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several t ...

by 15 October 1908. After further promotions in the enlisted ranks, on 16 May 1910, he was chosen to be an

Aspirant Aspirant is usually an officer cadet rank used in armies, navies and air forces. In Western Christianity, an aspirant is the first stage in becoming a monastic. Religious use In Western Christianity, the term is also used in reference to rel ...

. This led to officer's training, and promotion to '' Sous lieutenant''. He was serving in an infantry regiment when World War I began. On 1 October 1915, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He was sent to pilot's training on 6 January 1916. He graduated with his Military Pilot's Brevet on 17 May. After advanced training, he was assigned to ''

Escadrille 26 ''Escadrille 26'' is a squadron of the French Air Force founded in 1914 and still active today. History Escadrille 26 was founded on 26 August 1914, at Arras. It was originally equipped with ''Morane-Saulnier'' aircraft, leading to its designation ...

'' on 7 August 1916. On 25 January 1917, he was transferred to command ''Escadrille 82''. Between 18 March and 3 May, he shot down four German airplanes. On 13 May, he was promoted to '' Capitaine'', and on the 22nd he was inducted into the ''

Legion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and civil. Currently consisting of five classes, it was ...

''. He shot down two more enemy airplanes, as well as an

observation balloon An observation balloon is a type of balloon that is employed as an aerial platform for gathering intelligence and spotting artillery. The use of observation balloons began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World ...

during 1918. He ended World War I with a ''

Croix de Guerre The (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awarded during World ...

'' with six palms to go with his Legion of Honor. He died 1922 in an Air meeting starting from Zurich. After two steps of the "circuit des Alpes", his Spad crashed in a wood near

Bodio Bodio is a municipality in the district of Leventina in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. History Bodio was first mentioned in 1227 as ''Boidi''. During the Middle Ages, Bodio and the now abandoned village of Simbra (or Saimola) formed a '' ...

, Switzerland, where he was found dead.''La mort de Raoul Echard'' webpage (in French
La mort de Raoul Echard
Retrieved 7 August 2020.

Honors and awards

He received the

Legion d'Honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and civil. Currently consisting of five classes, it was ...

and the

for his valor. The award citation of his Légion d'honneur mentions : "An energetic officer, audacious and skillful pilot. In less than a month, by his courage and combat techniques, and by the example he gives each day to everyone, he made a newly formed young escadrille into a highly efficient unit. On 3 May 1917, he downed his third enemy plane in our lines. Cited twice in orders.

List of aerial victories

Sources of information

References

* Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank (1993). ''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'' London, UK: Grub Street Publishing. . 1888 births 1922 deaths French World War I flying aces {{france-mil-bio-stub