Adrien L. J. Leps
Encyclopedia
Major Adrien Louis Jacques Leps was a World War I flying ace
credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as two probables. He served originally in the French cavalry, before shifting to flying. In later years, he served under General Armand Pinsard
during World War II.
on 19 April 1914. He went into action with his regiment on 2 August 1914. A month later, on 5 September 1914, he was promoted to Marechal-des-logis. Two months later, on 4 November 1914, he transferred to the 1e Regiment de Hussards. On 24 December 1914, he had been dubbed an Aspirant
. On 17 April 1915, he was commissioned as sous lieutenant. He was severely wounded in action on 9 July 1915, and cited in dispatches. On 3 October 1915, he was forwarded to Aéronautique Militaire as an observer/gunner.
s). On 15 July 1916, he was forwarded for pilot's training at Amberieu. He received Military Pilot's Brevet No. 4312 on 23 August 1916. He then reported for reassignment on 2 November. On 14 December 1916, he was posted to Escadrille N81.
Adrien Leps scored his first aerial victories on 16 March 1917, downing an Albatros
reconnaissance plane and another unidentified German two-seater. On 30 March, his award of the Legion d'Honneur cited these wins. He next shot down an enemy fighter plane on 27 June 1917. A week later, on 4 July, Leps was promoted to Lieutenant. He would score two more triumphs before year's end, sharing with Marcel A. Hugues
and Andre Herbelin
.
Leps was elevated to command of Escadrille 81 on 24 February 1918, as the squadron re-equipped with Spad
s. He knocked down a German plane in a solo victory on 6 April 1918. In May 1918, he teamed with Gabriel Guérin
and Paul Santelli
in wins over three German observation balloons and an Albatros; on the 11th of the month, he received the British Military Cross. On 6 June, he shared a win over another balloon with Pierre Cardon
. On the 15th, he singlehandedly shot down his fifth enemy gasbag, becoming a balloon buster
ace. In the wake of this dozenth victory, he was upgraded to capitaine on 14 August 1918. By war's end, he had the Croix de Guerre with nine palmes to accompany his Legion d'Honneur and MC.
He returned to service for World War II, assigned as a major to Groupe de Chasse No. 21 under General Armand Pinsard
. For his service in his second war, he earned a rise in status to Commandeur of the Legion d'Honneur, the 1939–1945 Croix de Guerre, and a final promotion to lieutenant colonel.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as two probables. He served originally in the French cavalry, before shifting to flying. In later years, he served under General Armand Pinsard
Armand Pinsard
General Armand Pinsard , Chevalier, Officer, Commander, and Grand Officer of the Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre with 19 palms, Medaille Militaire, British Military Cross, Italian Military Medal, Moroccan Medal, was a World War I fighter ace credited with 27 victories...
during World War II.
Cavalry service
Leps entered the 9e Regiment de Hussards on 9 October 1913 as a "soldate de 2e classe". He was promoted to the rank of enlisted BrigadierBrigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
on 19 April 1914. He went into action with his regiment on 2 August 1914. A month later, on 5 September 1914, he was promoted to Marechal-des-logis. Two months later, on 4 November 1914, he transferred to the 1e Regiment de Hussards. On 24 December 1914, he had been dubbed an Aspirant
Aspirant
Aspirant is a military rank in the Canadian Navy, French military, Brazilian military, Romanian Navy and Polish Police.-Canadian Navy:Similar to the French usage, the Canadian Navy uses the French-language rank of "Aspirant de marine" to denote a junior officer under training. The same rank in the...
. On 17 April 1915, he was commissioned as sous lieutenant. He was severely wounded in action on 9 July 1915, and cited in dispatches. On 3 October 1915, he was forwarded to Aéronautique Militaire as an observer/gunner.
Aerial service
Leps was initially assigned to Escadrille N67 (the 'N' denoting that the unit used NieuportNieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
s). On 15 July 1916, he was forwarded for pilot's training at Amberieu. He received Military Pilot's Brevet No. 4312 on 23 August 1916. He then reported for reassignment on 2 November. On 14 December 1916, he was posted to Escadrille N81.
Adrien Leps scored his first aerial victories on 16 March 1917, downing an Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
reconnaissance plane and another unidentified German two-seater. On 30 March, his award of the Legion d'Honneur cited these wins. He next shot down an enemy fighter plane on 27 June 1917. A week later, on 4 July, Leps was promoted to Lieutenant. He would score two more triumphs before year's end, sharing with Marcel A. Hugues
Marcel A. Hugues
Lieutenant Colonel Marcel Anatole Hugues was a French flying ace during World War I. He served before, during, and after the war, as he was a professional soldier...
and Andre Herbelin
André Herbelin
Lieutenant Colonel André René Celestin Herbelin was a French flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories. He returned to his country's defense again during World War II, becoming part of the French Resistance against the Nazis.Herbelin was a...
.
Leps was elevated to command of Escadrille 81 on 24 February 1918, as the squadron re-equipped with Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
s. He knocked down a German plane in a solo victory on 6 April 1918. In May 1918, he teamed with Gabriel Guérin
Gabriel Guerin
Sous Lieutenant Gabriel Fernand Charles Guérin , Legion d'Honneur, Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre, was a World War I fighter pilot credited with 23 victories.-Citations for military decorations:Médaille Militaire...
and Paul Santelli
Paul Santelli
Marechal-des-Logis Paul Marie Raphael Santelli was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was a balloon buster, all of his victories being over observation balloons.-References:...
in wins over three German observation balloons and an Albatros; on the 11th of the month, he received the British Military Cross. On 6 June, he shared a win over another balloon with Pierre Cardon
Pierre Cardon
Maréchal-des-logis Pierre Marie Joseph Cardon was a World War I balloon buster credited with five aerial victories over enemy observation balloons.-References:...
. On the 15th, he singlehandedly shot down his fifth enemy gasbag, becoming a balloon buster
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
ace. In the wake of this dozenth victory, he was upgraded to capitaine on 14 August 1918. By war's end, he had the Croix de Guerre with nine palmes to accompany his Legion d'Honneur and MC.
Post World War I
Leps commanded Escadrille 81 until its disbandment on 31 December 1919.He returned to service for World War II, assigned as a major to Groupe de Chasse No. 21 under General Armand Pinsard
Armand Pinsard
General Armand Pinsard , Chevalier, Officer, Commander, and Grand Officer of the Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre with 19 palms, Medaille Militaire, British Military Cross, Italian Military Medal, Moroccan Medal, was a World War I fighter ace credited with 27 victories...
. For his service in his second war, he earned a rise in status to Commandeur of the Legion d'Honneur, the 1939–1945 Croix de Guerre, and a final promotion to lieutenant colonel.
Reference
- Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914-1918 Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, 9780948817540.