Biography

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I René Alphonse Pelissier was born on 30 April 1886 in

Versailles The Palace of Versailles ( ; ) is a former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV located in Versailles, Yvelines, Versailles, about west of Paris, in the Yvelines, Yvelines Department of Île-de-France, Île-de-France region in Franc ...

, France.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 202 On 2 August 1914, he was called to serve as an infantryman. He was promoted rapidly through the enlisted ranks until he was wounded on 30 April 1915. Rendered unfit for infantry service, he began pilot's training on 17 August 1915. On 14 January 1916, he graduated with his Military Pilot's Brevet. He reported for his first posting on 8 March 1916, to fly a '' Caudron'' for ''Escadrille C.53''. He was wounded on 30 April and sent to hospital. Upon his return, he reported to ''Escadrille C.202'' on 17 June 1916, again as a ''Caudron'' pilot. On 29 July, he shot down a German

Fokker Fokker (; ) was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer that operated from 1912 to 1996. The company was founded by the Dutch aviator Anthony Fokker and became famous during World War I for its fighter aircraft. During its most successful period in the 19 ...

for his first aerial victory. On 26 October 1916, Pelissier was pulled from combat duty to become an aviation instructor. Although there is no record of his reassignment from teaching, on 28 June 1917, he shot down 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 ...

for his fourth victory. On 6 January 1918, he was posted to '' Escadrille N.155''. On 20 April 1918, he was commissioned into the officer's ranks as a '' Sous lieutenant''. On 1 September 1918, he was granted command of ''Escadrille Spa.175''. With them, he scored his sixth and last win on 16 September 1918. The records of his aerial combats are both incomplete and contradictory. ''Escadrille N.155''—which by 1918 was actually ''Escadrille Spa.155''—claims that Pelissier scored five of his six victories with them. However, ''Escadrille C.202'' says he scored four victories while with them—two on unknown dates in 1916. And his victory over an

with a ''Caudron'' bomber from C.202 seems unlikely. However it is agreed he shot down six enemy aircraft.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', p. 106The Aerodrome websit

Retrieved 25 August 2020. Regardless of confusion over his victories, Pelissier flew 694 hours of combat during World War I. For his valor, he was awarded the ''

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 five ''palmes'' and an ''etoile de argent'', plus the ''

Médaille militaire The ''Médaille militaire'' (, "Military Medal") is a military decoration of the French Republic for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. It is the third highest award of the French Republic, ...

''. On 29 September 1918, 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 ...

''. René Alphonse Pelissier died in Paris on 27 March 1969.

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. . {{DEFAULTSORT:Pelissier, René 1886 births 1969 deaths French World War I flying aces