The Regent (disambiguation) and Pierre Clostermann: Difference between pages
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| name =Pierre Clostermann |
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| image =Pierre Clostermann.jpg |
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| image_size =180px |
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| caption =Pierre Clostermann c. 1945 |
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| birth_date ={{birth date|1921|2|28|df=y}} |
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| birth_place =[[Curitiba]], [[Brazil]] |
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| death_date ={{death date and age|2006|3|22|1921|2|28|df=y}} |
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| death_place =Montesquieu-des-Albères, [[France]] |
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| known_for = [[Aviator]], war [[flying ace]], author, engineer and politician. |
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| occupation =Aviator, author and politician |
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| spouse = |
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}} |
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'''Pierre Clostermann,''' Grand-Croix of the French [[Légion d'Honneur]], [[Croix de Guerre]] France, [[Distinguished Service Order| DSO]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] and [[Medal bar|bar]], [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States Army)|Distinguished Service Cross]] (USA), [[Silver Star]] (USA), [[Air Medal]] (USA), ([[28 February]] [[1921]]–[[22 March]] [[2006]]) was a [[France|French]] [[flying ace]], author, engineer, politician and [[sport fishing|sporting fisherman]]. |
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==Early life== |
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Clostermann was born in [[Curitiba]], [[Brazil]], into a French diplomatic family. He completed his secondary education in France and gained his private pilot's licence in 1937. |
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==Wartime service== |
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On the outbreak of war the French authorities refused his application for service, so he travelled to [[Los Angeles]] to become a commercial pilot, studying at a school named Ryan College. Clostermann joined the [[Armée de l'Air (Part II: Fighting for Free France, 1940-1945)|Free French Air Force]] in Britain in March 1942. |
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After training at [[RAF Cranwell]] and 61 OTU, Clostermann, a [[Sergeant Pilot]], was posted in January 1943 to [[No. 341 Squadron RAF]] (known to the Free French as ''Groupe de Chasse n° 3/2 "Alsace"''), flying the [[Supermarine Spitfire]]. |
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===Spitfires 1943-44=== |
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He scored his first two victories on [[27 July]] [[1943]], destroying two [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]s over France. |
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In October 1943, Clostermann was commissioned and assigned to [[No. 602 Squadron RAF]], remaining with the unit for the next ten months. He flew a variety of missions including fighter sweeps, bomber escorts, high-altitude interdiction over the [[Royal Navy]]'s [[Scapa Flow]] base, and strafing or dive-bombing attacks on [[V-1]] launch sites on the French coast. Clostermann served through [[Battle of Normandy|D-Day]] and was one of the first Free French pilots to land on French soil, at temporary airstrip B-11, near [[Longues-sur-Mer]], [[Normandy]] on [[18 June]] [[1944]], touching French soil for the first time in more than four years. Clostermann was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] shortly afterwards, after which he was reassigned to French Air Force Headquarters. |
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===Tempests 1945=== |
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In December 1944, Clostermann returned to the front line, on secondment to the RAF as a supernumerary [[Flight Lieutenant]]. Clostermann joined [[No. 274 Squadron RAF]] flying the new [[Hawker Tempest]] Mk V. In an aircraft which he dubbed ''Le Grand Charles'', Clostermann flew an intensive and highly successful round of fighter sweeps, airfield attacks, "rat scramble" interceptions of [[Messerschmitt 262]] jet fighters, and rail interdiction missions over northern Germany over the next two months. |
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In March 1945, Clostermann briefly served with No. 56 Squadron before a transfer to No. 3 Squadron. On [[24 March]] [[1945]], he was wounded in the leg by German [[flak]] and after belly-landing his badly damaged aircraft, he was hospitalized for one week. From [[April 8]], he was commander of A Flight, [[No. 3 Squadron RAF]]. Clostermann was awarded a Bar to his [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] for his successful tour of duty. He had to bail out for the first time on [[12 May]] [[1945]], when during a victory [[parade|fly-past]], a Tempest collided with his aircraft. Clostermann continued operations with No. 122 Wing RAF until he left the military altogether on [[27 July]] [[1945]]. |
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In his 432 sorties, Clostermann was credited officially with 23 victories (19 solo, 14 shared, most of them against fighters) and five "probables", with eight more "damaged". He also claimed 225 motor vehicles destroyed, 72 locomotives, five tanks and two [[Schnellboot|E-Boat]]s (fast torpedo boats). Many references credit him with 29 to 33 victories, although these probably include his "ground" kills. Recent, more detailed analysis of his combat reports and squadron accounts indicate that his true score was 11 destroyed, with possibly another seven, for a total of 15-18 victories.<ref>Shores and Williams 1994, p. 180.</ref><ref>Thomas 1999, p. 86.</ref> |
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==Postwar== |
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Clostermann wrote a very successful book, ''The Big Circus'' (''Le Grand Cirque''), on his experiences in the war. One of the very first post-war fighter pilot memoirs, its various editions have sold over two and a half million copies.<ref>''Wings Encyclopedia of Aviation'' p. 593.</ref> [[William Faulkner]] commented that this is the finest aviation book to come out of [[World War II]]. The book was reprinted, in expanded form, in both paperback and hardcover editions in 2004. he also wrote ''Flames in the Sky'' (''Feu du Ciel'') (1957), a collection of heroic air combat exploits from both Allied and Axis sides. |
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After the war, Clostermann continued his career as an engineer, participating in the creation of [[Reims Aviation]], acting as a representative for [[Cessna]], and working for [[Renault]]. In parallel, Clostermann had a successful political career, serving eight terms as a ''député'' (Member of Parliament) in the French National Assembly between 1946 and 1969. |
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He also briefly re-enlisted in the ''[[Armée de l'Air]]'' in 1956-57 to fly ground attack missions during the [[Algerian War]]. He subsequently wrote a novel based on his experiences there, entitled "Leo 25 Airborne". |
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During the 1982 [[Falklands War]] between Argentina and the UK, Clostermann apparently praised Argentine pilots for their courage, perhaps as a result of personal ties formed while [[Argentinian Air Force]] pilots were being trained in France in the 1970s. As a result of this perceived "betrayal" of the RAF, Clostermann attracted hostility from parts of the English press. He also attracted controversy in France for his vehement anti-war stance in the run-up to the 1991 [[Gulf War]]. |
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Clostermann was also a sporting fisherman of international repute. |
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==Tributes and honours== |
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On [[6 June]] [[2004]], a road in Longues-sur-Mer, near temporary airstrip B-11, was named after Clostermann, |
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===Medals and awards=== |
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* Grand-Croix of the French [[Légion d'Honneur]], the order's highest rank |
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*[[Compagnon de la Libération]] |
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*[[Médaille Militaire]] |
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*[[Croix de Guerre]] 1939-45 with 19 palmes (the most) |
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* ''Croix de la Valeur Militaire'' with 2 citations |
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* ''Free French Volunteer Service Cross'' |
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* ''French Resistance Medal'' |
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* ''Star for Wounded'' |
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*[[Distinguished Service Order]] |
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*[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] with bar |
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*[[Distinguished Service Cross (United States Army)|Distinguished Service Cross]](USA)'' |
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*[[Silver Star]] |
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*[[Air Medal]] |
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==References== |
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====Notes==== |
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{{reflist}} |
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====Bibliography==== |
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{{refbegin}} |
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* Clostermann, Pierre. ''The Big Show''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2004. ISBN 0-29784-619-1. |
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* Thomas, Chris. ''Typhoon and Tempest Aces of World War 2''. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1999. ISBN1-85532-779-1. |
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* Shores, Christopher and Williams, Clive. ''Aces High''. London: Grub Street, 1994. ISBN 1-89869-700-0. |
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* ''Wings Encyclopedia of Aviation''. London: Orbis Publishing, 1979. |
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{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/222.html Ordre de la Libération: Pierre Clostermann (French)] |
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*[http://www.pierre-clostermann.com/index.html Site dedicated to Pierre Clostermann] |
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*[http://koti.mbnet.fi/~jjuvonen/pilots_eng/cloclo_letter_eng.html Clostermann's response to the Falklands War comments] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clostermann, Pierre}} |
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[[Category:1921 births]] |
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[[Category:2006 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross]] |
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[[Category:French Air Force personnel]] |
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[[Category:Companions of the Liberation]] |
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[[Category:Légion d'honneur recipients]] |
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[[Category:French World War II pilots]] |
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[[el:Πιέρ Ανρύ Κλόστερμαν]] |
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Revision as of 03:42, 11 October 2008
Pierre Clostermann | |
|---|---|
 Pierre Clostermann c. 1945 | |
| Born | 28 February 1921 |
| Died | 22 March 2006 (aged 85) Montesquieu-des-Albères, France |
| Occupation(s) | Aviator, author and politician |
| Known for | Aviator, war flying ace, author, engineer and politician. |
Pierre Clostermann, Grand-Croix of the French Légion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre France, DSO, DFC and bar, Distinguished Service Cross (USA), Silver Star (USA), Air Medal (USA), (28 February 1921–22 March 2006) was a French flying ace, author, engineer, politician and sporting fisherman.
Early life
Clostermann was born in Curitiba, Brazil, into a French diplomatic family. He completed his secondary education in France and gained his private pilot's licence in 1937.
Wartime service
On the outbreak of war the French authorities refused his application for service, so he travelled to Los Angeles to become a commercial pilot, studying at a school named Ryan College. Clostermann joined the Free French Air Force in Britain in March 1942.
After training at RAF Cranwell and 61 OTU, Clostermann, a Sergeant Pilot, was posted in January 1943 to No. 341 Squadron RAF (known to the Free French as Groupe de Chasse n° 3/2 "Alsace"), flying the Supermarine Spitfire.
Spitfires 1943-44
He scored his first two victories on 27 July 1943, destroying two Focke-Wulf Fw 190s over France.
In October 1943, Clostermann was commissioned and assigned to No. 602 Squadron RAF, remaining with the unit for the next ten months. He flew a variety of missions including fighter sweeps, bomber escorts, high-altitude interdiction over the Royal Navy's Scapa Flow base, and strafing or dive-bombing attacks on V-1 launch sites on the French coast. Clostermann served through D-Day and was one of the first Free French pilots to land on French soil, at temporary airstrip B-11, near Longues-sur-Mer, Normandy on 18 June 1944, touching French soil for the first time in more than four years. Clostermann was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross shortly afterwards, after which he was reassigned to French Air Force Headquarters.
Tempests 1945
In December 1944, Clostermann returned to the front line, on secondment to the RAF as a supernumerary Flight Lieutenant. Clostermann joined No. 274 Squadron RAF flying the new Hawker Tempest Mk V. In an aircraft which he dubbed Le Grand Charles, Clostermann flew an intensive and highly successful round of fighter sweeps, airfield attacks, "rat scramble" interceptions of Messerschmitt 262 jet fighters, and rail interdiction missions over northern Germany over the next two months.
In March 1945, Clostermann briefly served with No. 56 Squadron before a transfer to No. 3 Squadron. On 24 March 1945, he was wounded in the leg by German flak and after belly-landing his badly damaged aircraft, he was hospitalized for one week. From April 8, he was commander of A Flight, No. 3 Squadron RAF. Clostermann was awarded a Bar to his DFC for his successful tour of duty. He had to bail out for the first time on 12 May 1945, when during a victory fly-past, a Tempest collided with his aircraft. Clostermann continued operations with No. 122 Wing RAF until he left the military altogether on 27 July 1945.
In his 432 sorties, Clostermann was credited officially with 23 victories (19 solo, 14 shared, most of them against fighters) and five "probables", with eight more "damaged". He also claimed 225 motor vehicles destroyed, 72 locomotives, five tanks and two E-Boats (fast torpedo boats). Many references credit him with 29 to 33 victories, although these probably include his "ground" kills. Recent, more detailed analysis of his combat reports and squadron accounts indicate that his true score was 11 destroyed, with possibly another seven, for a total of 15-18 victories.[1][2]
Postwar
Clostermann wrote a very successful book, The Big Circus (Le Grand Cirque), on his experiences in the war. One of the very first post-war fighter pilot memoirs, its various editions have sold over two and a half million copies.[3] William Faulkner commented that this is the finest aviation book to come out of World War II. The book was reprinted, in expanded form, in both paperback and hardcover editions in 2004. he also wrote Flames in the Sky (Feu du Ciel) (1957), a collection of heroic air combat exploits from both Allied and Axis sides.
After the war, Clostermann continued his career as an engineer, participating in the creation of Reims Aviation, acting as a representative for Cessna, and working for Renault. In parallel, Clostermann had a successful political career, serving eight terms as a député (Member of Parliament) in the French National Assembly between 1946 and 1969.
He also briefly re-enlisted in the Armée de l'Air in 1956-57 to fly ground attack missions during the Algerian War. He subsequently wrote a novel based on his experiences there, entitled "Leo 25 Airborne".
During the 1982 Falklands War between Argentina and the UK, Clostermann apparently praised Argentine pilots for their courage, perhaps as a result of personal ties formed while Argentinian Air Force pilots were being trained in France in the 1970s. As a result of this perceived "betrayal" of the RAF, Clostermann attracted hostility from parts of the English press. He also attracted controversy in France for his vehement anti-war stance in the run-up to the 1991 Gulf War.
Clostermann was also a sporting fisherman of international repute.
Tributes and honours
On 6 June 2004, a road in Longues-sur-Mer, near temporary airstrip B-11, was named after Clostermann,
Medals and awards
- Grand-Croix of the French Légion d'Honneur, the order's highest rank
- Compagnon de la Libération
- Médaille Militaire
- Croix de Guerre 1939-45 with 19 palmes (the most)
- Croix de la Valeur Militaire with 2 citations
- Free French Volunteer Service Cross
- French Resistance Medal
- Star for Wounded
- Distinguished Service Order
- Distinguished Flying Cross with bar
- Distinguished Service Cross(USA)
- Silver Star
- Air Medal
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Clostermann, Pierre. The Big Show. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2004. ISBN 0-29784-619-1.
- Thomas, Chris. Typhoon and Tempest Aces of World War 2. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1999. ISBN1-85532-779-1.
- Shores, Christopher and Williams, Clive. Aces High. London: Grub Street, 1994. ISBN 1-89869-700-0.
- Wings Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Orbis Publishing, 1979.