Lucien Gasser
Encyclopedia
Adjutant Lucien Marcel Gasser was a French flying ace
during World War I. He was a double ace, credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.
; 10 February 1917 saw his further promotion to Maréchal-des-logis. On 25 May 1917, Gasser began pilot training at Dijon
. Once awarded Military Pilot's Brevet No. 8126 on 22 August 1917, he polished his skills at advanced training before assignment to Escadrille 87 on 1 January 1918.
Gasser used a Spad
to score his first victory on 16 February 1918. He scored four more times in March, becoming an ace on the 27th. On 23 April 1918, he was promoted to Adjutant. The Medaille Militaire that was awarded Gasser on 16 June credited him with four wins; by that time, his tally had risen to seven. On 7 July, he scored his last victory. His record showed he single-handedly shot down six enemy airplanes, teamed with other French pilots to destroy three others, and downed a German observation balloon
to become a balloon buster
. Eight days later, 15 July 1918, he was wounded so severely in the left leg that amputation resulted. On 3 August, he was selected as a Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur.
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...
during World War I. He was a double ace, credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.
World War I
On 21 August 1914, Gasser volunteered for military service until war's end. As a soldat de 2e classe, he was posted to artillery service. On 7 March 1915, he was promoted to 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....
; 10 February 1917 saw his further promotion to Maréchal-des-logis. On 25 May 1917, Gasser began pilot training at Dijon
Dijon
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....
. Once awarded Military Pilot's Brevet No. 8126 on 22 August 1917, he polished his skills at advanced training before assignment to Escadrille 87 on 1 January 1918.
Gasser used 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:...
to score his first victory on 16 February 1918. He scored four more times in March, becoming an ace on the 27th. On 23 April 1918, he was promoted to Adjutant. The Medaille Militaire that was awarded Gasser on 16 June credited him with four wins; by that time, his tally had risen to seven. On 7 July, he scored his last victory. His record showed he single-handedly shot down six enemy airplanes, teamed with other French pilots to destroy three others, and downed a German observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
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....
. Eight days later, 15 July 1918, he was wounded so severely in the left leg that amputation resulted. On 3 August, he was selected as a Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur.
Postwar
Gasser rose to Commandeur in the Legion d'Honneur. He was killed in a flying accident on 14 February 1939.External links
- http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/gasser.php
- http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/ace_Gasser.html
- http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/airplane%20at%20war/upload5/Lucien%20Gasser.htm
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.