Armand de Turenne
Encyclopedia
Capitaine Armand Jean Galliot Joseph de Turenne was a World War I flying ace
credited with 15 aerial victories.
The Marquis de Turenne was a pre-war cavalryman who transferred to aviation after the war began. In June 1916, he was assigned to Escadrille 48 as a Nieuport
pilot. He scored his first victory on 17 November 1916; by 30 September 1917, he had half a dozen to his credit. Five of them were shared, with fellow aces Jean Matton
, Gilbert de Guingand
, and René Montrion
.
De Turenne then transferred to Escadrille 12 as its commander. In his nine victories with this squadron, he continued teamwork in combat and branched out to become a balloon buster
by downing two observation balloons. He not only shared victories with fellow aces Marcel Marc Dhome
and Emile Regnier
, but with several other pilots. An interesting sidelight on de Turenne's victory list is that he had only two solo victories, and there were no fewer than fifteen other pilots sharing one or more of the other thirteen triumphs.
He died in November 1980.
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"A very courageous pilot who gives daily the highest example of boldness and initiative. The 6th of July 1917 he downed, in the course of one flight, his third and fourth German planes, one of these in our lines. Cited in orders three times."
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 15 aerial victories.
The Marquis de Turenne was a pre-war cavalryman who transferred to aviation after the war began. In June 1916, he was assigned to Escadrille 48 as a Nieuport
Nieuport
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:...
pilot. He scored his first victory on 17 November 1916; by 30 September 1917, he had half a dozen to his credit. Five of them were shared, with fellow aces Jean Matton
Jean Matton
Capitaine Jean Georges Fernand Matton was a World War I cavalryman and flying ace. He was credited with nine confirmed and two unconfirmed aerial victories....
, Gilbert de Guingand
Gilbert de Guingand
Sous lieutenant Gilbert Marie de Guingand was a French World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories before being killed in action.-Early life:Gilbert Marie de Guingand was born at Viroflay, France on 21 July 1891...
, and René Montrion
René Montrion
Adjutant René Montrion was a French flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed aerial and eight unconfirmed victories....
.
De Turenne then transferred to Escadrille 12 as its commander. In his nine victories with this squadron, he continued teamwork in combat and branched out to become 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....
by downing two observation balloons. He not only shared victories with fellow aces Marcel Marc Dhome
Marcel Marc Dhôme
Colonel Marcel Marc Dhôme began his military career during World War I, when he became a flying ace credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. He also served his nation in World War II, and during the Korean War.-World War I:...
and Emile Regnier
Emile Regnier
Sous Lieutenant Emile Julien Mathurin Regnier was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...
, but with several other pilots. An interesting sidelight on de Turenne's victory list is that he had only two solo victories, and there were no fewer than fifteen other pilots sharing one or more of the other thirteen triumphs.
He died in November 1980.
Honors and awards
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation, 22 July 1917Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"A very courageous pilot who gives daily the highest example of boldness and initiative. The 6th of July 1917 he downed, in the course of one flight, his third and fourth German planes, one of these in our lines. Cited in orders three times."