Paul Barbreau
.
Paul Augustin Edouard Barbreau | |
---|---|
Born | Renault, Oran, Algeria | 16 September 1894
Died | 2 June 1976 Marseille, France | (aged 81)
Allegiance | France |
Service/ | French Army French Air Force |
Years of service | 1914–1919 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | 5e régiment de chasseurs d'Afrique Escadrille 154 Escadrille 164 |
Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
Awards | Légion d'honneur Médaille militaire Croix de Guerre with four Palmes, an Étoile de vermeil, an Étoile d'argent, and an Étoile de bronze |
Captain Paul Augustin Edouard Barbreau (16 September 1894 – 2 June 1976) was an Algerian-born French World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1]
Early life[]
Barbreau was born in Renault, Oran, Algeria,[2] the son of Pierre Augustin Barbreau, an administrateur-adjoint, and Marie Louise Benoist.[3] He joined the French Army on his twentieth birthday, 16 September 1914. His initial assignment was as a Soldat de 2e Classe in the 5e Regiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique. He was promoted to the rank of enlisted brigadier in November 1914, and to maréchal-des-logis on 6 February 1915.[1][3]
World War I aviation service[]
Barbreau transferred to the army's military aviation branch in April 1917, reporting to Amberieu for pilot's training. On 14 May, he received Military Pilot's Brevet No. 6406. On 1 June, he passed on to Avord for advanced training. After polishing his skills at Pau and Cazaux, he was posted to a Nieuport squadron, , on 1 October 1917.[2][fn 1]
The squadron eventually upgraded its equipment to SPAD S.VII fighters, and subsequently changed its name to . Under the command of Michel Coiffard SPA 154 specialized in attacking enemy observation balloons,[4] with Barbreau sharing their success, as he became a balloon buster, destroying eight between 2 June and 8 August 1918. His victories brought him the Médaille militaire and a temporary commission as an officer. He was transferred to Escadrille 164 on 8 August 1918.[2]
List of aerial victories[]
Barbreau is believed to have flown some version of the SPAD to score his aerial victories.[5][6]
No. | Date/time | Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 June 1918 | German observation balloon | Destroyed | Igny d'Abbesse | Shared with Sous-lieutenant Paul Waddington |
2 | 5 June 1918 @ 18:00 hours |
German observation balloon | Destroyed | Trigny, France | Shared with Sous-lieutenants Louis Prosper Gros and Paul Waddington |
3 | 30 June 1918 @ 06:50 hours |
German observation balloon | Destroyed | Beuvardes, France | Shared with Sous-lieutenant Michel Coiffard and Maréchal-des-logis Jacques Ehrlich |
4 | 17 July 1918 @ 08:45 hours |
German observation balloon | Destroyed | Beine, France | Shared with Sous-lieutenant Paul Waddington |
5 | 18 July 1918 @ 19:15 hours |
German observation balloon | Destroyed | Forêt-de-Ris | Shared with Sergeant Wainwright Abbott (Lafayette Flying Corps) |
6 | 1 August 1918 @ 17:40 hours |
German observation balloon | Destroyed | Caurel, France | Shared with Sous-lieutenant Paul Waddington |
7 | 3 August 1918 @ 19:35 to 19:37 hours |
German observation balloon | Destroyed | North of Somme-Py, France | Shared with Sous-lieutenant Michel Coiffard |
8 | German observation balloon | Destroyed |
Post World War I[]
Although his heroics ended at the ceasefire of 11 November 1918, he was not made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur until 12 July 1919, while serving as a second lieutenant (reserve) in Algeria. The accompanying citation mentioned victories over five enemy aircraft, but there is no individual listing or confirmation of these victories.[2][7]
He eventually retired from the French Air Force with the rank of captain, receiving promotion to the rank of Officier of the Légion d'honneur on 31 October 1961.[7]
He died in Marseilles on 2 June 1976.[1][3]
Footnotes[]
- ^ Note: When a French squadron upgraded its equipment, it eventually changed its unit designation to reflect the new equipment. Thus, Barbreau originally flew in Nieuports.
References[]
Notes
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Paul Barbreau". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Franks & Bailey (1992), p. 116.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Barbreau, Paul Augustin Edouard". Ciel de gloire.com (in French). Retrieved 27 August 2017.
- ^ Guttman (2002), pp. 59–60.
- ^ Guttman (2001), p. 37.
- ^ Guttman (2002), p. 60.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Barbreau, Paul Augustin Edouard". Base Léonore (in French). Archives Nationales. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
Bibliography
- Franks, Norman & Bailey, Frank W. (1992). Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0.
- Guttman, Jon (2001). Spad VII Aces of World War I: Volume 39 of Aircraft of the Aces. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-84176-222-7.
- Guttman, Jon (2002). SPAD XII/XIII Aces of World War 1: Volume 47 of Aircraft of the Aces. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-84176-316-3.
- 1894 births
- 1976 deaths
- People from Oran Province
- French World War I flying aces
- Officiers of the Légion d'honneur
- Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)
- Recipients of the Médaille militaire (France)