Paul de Montgolfier
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Paul-Joseph de Montgolfier (28 April 1913 – 8 November 1942) was a French fighter pilot, flying with the GC II/5 fighter group when World War II began.
De Montgolfier was born in Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche, France. On 6 November 1939, Paul de Montgolfier and 8 other pilots were escorting bombers over the Sarre region when they were jumped by 27 Messerschmitt fighters of . The French pilots scored 5 victories (and another 5 probable victories, including one shot down by Montgolfier) for the loss of only two of their own. This fight - known as the "9 against 27" fight was to become legendary and , the CO of JGr 102, was summoned back to Berlin and threatened with court-martial for such disastrous results.
Montgolfier went on top score more victories until the Nazi invasion of France : he was shot down on 15 May 1940 and wounded. He was credited with 5 aerial victories. After recovering, he went back to active service and was killed in action fighting the Allied landing at Casablanca on 8 November 1942.
List of aerial victories[]
1. Bf 109; 06 Nov 39 - Probable, shared with Lt Trémolet
2. He 111; 23 Nov 39 - Destroyed, shared with Sgt Audrain, Sgt Bouhy and 3 RAF pilots. Over Boulay.
3. Do 17; 02 Mar 40 - Probable, shared with A/C Gras, S/C Janebas
4. Bf 109; 10 May 40 - Destroyed over Luxemburg.
5. ??
Awards[]
- Légion d'Honneur
- Médaille Militaire
- Croix de Guerre avec palme
- 1913 births
- 1942 deaths
- French Air and Space Force personnel
- French World War II flying aces
- French military personnel of World War II
- French military personnel killed in World War II
- Recipients of the Legion of Honour
- Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)
- Aviators killed by being shot down