Gustave Daladier
Encyclopedia
Capitaine Gustave Victorin Daladier was a World War I flying ace
credited with twelve aerial victories.
. He transferred to the 4eme Regiment de Spahis on 22 October 1909. On 6 January 1914, he was promoted to Maréchal-des-logis. On 23 March 1915, he was again promoted, to Maréchal des logis-chef. He then transferred to aviation.
for pilot's training. He underwent advance training at Buc
. On 20 January 1916, he received Military Pilot's Brevet No. 2289. On 28 April, he was assigned to Escadrille 73. On 16 July 1916, he was reassigned to Escadrille F14 (the 'F' denoting the use of Farman
aircraft). Daladier was then promoted to Adjutant
on 25 October 1916.
On 4 May 1917, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire; two days later, he was assigned to Escadrille N93 to fly a Nieuport
. Between 14 April and 30 October 1917, he scored four victories, with one each being shared with Maurice Robert
and Fernand Guyou
. On 5 November 1917, Daladier was promoted to Adjutant-Chef.
He then upgraded to a Spad
. His last eight victories, between 29 May and 4 October 1918 were split equally between balloon bust
ing German observation balloons and destroying enemy airplanes. He did share one of his last four victories over airplanes with Pierre Delage
. He also was finally commissioned sous lieutenant on 17 June 1918. Shortly after that, on 27 July 1918, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur.
"Excellent non-commissioned officer having already given proof of high qualities in Algeria and Morocco. Transferred to aviation he has shown himself to be a pilot of utmost bravery. Has executed numerous reconnaissances of long distances and has had several combats. On 14 April 1917, he downed an enemy plane under particularly difficult circumstances."
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"Admirable pilot because of his spirit and initiative in combat. During two and a half years in aviation he has always given proof of his ability through numerous protection and pursuit missions entrusted to him with very heroic spirit and devotion. He recently brought the number of his victories to seven. Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Four citations."
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 aerial victories.
Early military service
Daladier volunteered for a three year enlistment on 3 December 1907. He began his military career in the 4eme Regiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique as an enlisted soldier. On 5 June 1909, he was promoted to 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....
. He transferred to the 4eme Regiment de Spahis on 22 October 1909. On 6 January 1914, he was promoted to Maréchal-des-logis. On 23 March 1915, he was again promoted, to Maréchal des logis-chef. He then transferred to aviation.
Aviation service in World War I
On 22 September 1915, Daladier reported to 1er Groupe d'Aviation at DijonDijon
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
for pilot's training. He underwent advance training at Buc
Buc
Buc may refer to:* Buc, Yvelines, a commune of the Yvelines département, in France* Buc, Territoire de Belfort, a commune of the Territoire de Belfort département, in France* Búč, a village in south Slovakia* buc, the ISO 639-3 code for the Bushi language...
. On 20 January 1916, he received Military Pilot's Brevet No. 2289. On 28 April, he was assigned to Escadrille 73. On 16 July 1916, he was reassigned to Escadrille F14 (the 'F' denoting the use of Farman
Farman
Farman Aviation Works was an aeronautic enterprise founded and run by the brothers; Richard, Henri, and Maurice Farman. They designed and constructed aircraft and engines from 1908 until 1936; during the French nationalization and rationalization of its aerospace industry, Farman's assets were...
aircraft). Daladier was then promoted to Adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
on 25 October 1916.
On 4 May 1917, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire; two days later, he was assigned to Escadrille N93 to fly 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:...
. Between 14 April and 30 October 1917, he scored four victories, with one each being shared with Maurice Robert
Maurice Robert
Adjutant Maurice Joseph Emile Robert was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...
and Fernand Guyou
Fernand Guyou
Sous Lieutenant Fernand Eugene Guyou was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.-Infantry service:Guyou was serving as an enlisted Brigadier in the cavalry reserves when war began. On 3 September 1914, he was assigned the duties of mounted scout for the 46eme Regiment...
. On 5 November 1917, Daladier was promoted to Adjutant-Chef.
He then upgraded to a 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:...
. His last eight victories, between 29 May and 4 October 1918 were split equally between balloon bust
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....
ing German observation balloons and destroying enemy airplanes. He did share one of his last four victories over airplanes with Pierre Delage
Pierre Delage
Adjutant Pierre Delage was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...
. He also was finally commissioned sous lieutenant on 17 June 1918. Shortly after that, on 27 July 1918, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur.
Post World War I
Daladier remained in French military aviation after the war, rising to capitaine in 1929. He was "promoted" within the Legion d'Honneur, becoming an Officier in July 1926 and Commandeur in 1949. By the end of his career, in addition to the Legion d'Honneur and Medaille Militaire, he had been awarded the Croix de Guerre with nine palmes, the Chevalier du Order of Ouissam Alaouite, and the Officier du Nichan Iftikar.Honors and awards
Médaille Militaire"Excellent non-commissioned officer having already given proof of high qualities in Algeria and Morocco. Transferred to aviation he has shown himself to be a pilot of utmost bravery. Has executed numerous reconnaissances of long distances and has had several combats. On 14 April 1917, he downed an enemy plane under particularly difficult circumstances."
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"Admirable pilot because of his spirit and initiative in combat. During two and a half years in aviation he has always given proof of his ability through numerous protection and pursuit missions entrusted to him with very heroic spirit and devotion. He recently brought the number of his victories to seven. Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Four citations."
Reference
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.
- 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 0948817542, 9780948817540.