Constant Soulier
Encyclopedia
Marechal-des-Logis Constant Frederic Soulier was a World War I
flying ace
credited with six confirmed aerial victories and nine unconfirmed.
Soulier was a student at the Ecole Polytechnique
when World War I began. His first attempts to join the military were frustrated by his ill health and his minority, as he was only seventeen years old. Soulier managed to join the artillery in March 1915, but then wangled a transfer to aviation. He began aviation training at Pau in March 1916, and was brevetted a pilot two months later. He was posted to Escadrille 26 under command of Commandant Brocard in June 1916. He began his aerial victories as a balloon buster
, destroying a German observation balloon on 24 August 1916. He had two additional wins before he began a prolonged hospital stay in January 1917. He returned to duty in March, and in May shot down two more enemy planes. On the 27th, Soulier became the youngest ace in French service, his predecessor, Paul Sauvage
, having been killed in action. Soulier returned to hospital at the end of June 1917, and remained there until December. His illness ended his combat duty. He was shipped off to the United States to demonstrate combat flying to American pilots. He made a favorable impression on this public relations junket, being referred to as short and boyish, but solemn and self-assured. He was attributed with 430 flying hours and 60 dogfights.
"Voluntarily enlisted for the duration of the war. Has shown himself to be an excellent pursuit pilot, skillful as well as audacious. Has had numerous combats during the course of which he has downed three enemy appareils and forced four others to fall disabled." (Médaille Militaire citation, 8 March 1917)
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
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 six confirmed aerial victories and nine unconfirmed.
Soulier was a student at the Ecole Polytechnique
École Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research in Palaiseau, Essonne, France, near Paris. Polytechnique is renowned for its four year undergraduate/graduate Master's program...
when World War I began. His first attempts to join the military were frustrated by his ill health and his minority, as he was only seventeen years old. Soulier managed to join the artillery in March 1915, but then wangled a transfer to aviation. He began aviation training at Pau in March 1916, and was brevetted a pilot two months later. He was posted to Escadrille 26 under command of Commandant Brocard in June 1916. He began his aerial victories as 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....
, destroying a German observation balloon on 24 August 1916. He had two additional wins before he began a prolonged hospital stay in January 1917. He returned to duty in March, and in May shot down two more enemy planes. On the 27th, Soulier became the youngest ace in French service, his predecessor, Paul Sauvage
Paul Sauvage (aviator)
Sergent Paul Joannes Sauvage was a World War I flying ace credited with eight confirmed and six unconfirmed aerial victories. He was originally posted to fly a Nieuport for Escadrille 65, and scored his first victory with them on 16 July 1916...
, having been killed in action. Soulier returned to hospital at the end of June 1917, and remained there until December. His illness ended his combat duty. He was shipped off to the United States to demonstrate combat flying to American pilots. He made a favorable impression on this public relations junket, being referred to as short and boyish, but solemn and self-assured. He was attributed with 430 flying hours and 60 dogfights.
Honors and awards
Médaille Militaire"Voluntarily enlisted for the duration of the war. Has shown himself to be an excellent pursuit pilot, skillful as well as audacious. Has had numerous combats during the course of which he has downed three enemy appareils and forced four others to fall disabled." (Médaille Militaire citation, 8 March 1917)