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Georges Guynemer

Portrait card of the French Ace Georges Guynemer in French and Arabic. In his hand, and by his side, are machine guns, presumably from the plane he shot down, number 43.
Text:
Le Capitaine Guynemer qui a abattu 43 avions. (Captain Guynemer who shot down 43 aircraft.)
Reverse: Post Card. Carte Postale. Postkarte. Briefkarrt. Cartolina Postal. Tarjeta Postal. [Russian]

Portrait card of the French Ace Georges Guynemer in French and Arabic. In his hand, and by his side, are machine guns, presumably from the plane he shot down, number 43.

Image text

Le Capitaine Guynemer qui a abattu 43 avions.



Captain Guynemer who shot down 43 aircraft.



Reverse:

Post Card. Carte Postale. Postkarte. Briefkarrt. Cartolina Postal. Tarjeta Postal.

Other views: Larger

Georges Guynemer was second of French aces after René Fonck.

From June 1915 to March 1916, Guynemer fought in 21 combats and shot down eight planes. In May 1916, he was at Verdun. The next month he was over the Somme battlefield.

On September 22, 1916, Guynemer attacked and shot down three enemy planes. He was hit by enemy artillery, wounded in the knee, and brought down, but he landed safely.

As the year ended, he was promoted lieutenant on December 31.

In 1917, he flew on the Somme and in Lorraine. In the four days from January 23 to 26, he destroyed five enemy planes, and on February 8 forced down a triplane. He was made Captain on February 18.

He moved to the airfield at Bonnemaison prior to the April 16, 1917 Second Battle of the Aisne, part of the Nivelle Offensive. On April 14, he won his 36th victory at La Neuville.

In May, he had victories on the 2nd and the 4th. On May 25 he brought down four enemy planes and a final one for the month two days later.

Guynemer had his plane outfitted with a cannon that fired through the propeller shaft. Besides its recoil, the cannon had the drawback that it filled the cockpit with smoke.

Commander of the Escadrille SPA 3, Les Cigognes - The Storks - Guynemer flew the Spad VII and Spad XIII. He called his planes, and had painted on their fuselages, "Vieux Charles" (Old Charles).

On September 11, 1917, Guynemer set out with a fellow pilot and pursued a German observation plane. Set upon by German Fokkers, the fellow pilot lost sight of Guynemer, and returned alone.

No trace of Guynemer or his plane was found.

At his death, Guynemer had 53 victories.

September 11, 1917

France

Roles held by Georges Guynemer

Role Start Date End Date
Combatant - Pilot