Edmond Marin La Meslée

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A French fighter pilot in World War II, Edmond Marin La Meslée ranks as the 5th highest-scoring French ace of this conflict with 16 aerial victories.

[edit] Biography

Edmond Marin la Meslée was born on 5 February 1912 in Valenciennes, France. After studying law, he took government-subsidized flying lessons at the Morane flight school and gained his license in 1931. At 19, he entered the French Air Force and, after graduating from the school in Istres, was assigned to a unit in Strasbourg. At the end of his two-year tour, he re-enlisted for another two years, despite having to serve at a lower rank.

In October 1937, he was admitted to the Air Force Academy and graduated with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to the GC I/5 fighter group (Reims), flying Curtiss 75 Hawk fighters. There he was taught by Jean Accart, who thought highly of potential as a fighter pilot.

During the May 1940 invasion of France, Marin la Meslée distinguished himself by shooting down 16 German aircraft, although some sources credit him with as many as 20. On 11 June, his leader was wounded and Marin replaced him at the head of the first squadron of GC I/5.

After the armistice, GC I/5 was evacuated to Saint-Denis-du-Sig and later to Rabat (Morocco), but did not see much action against the British.

After the invasion of Northern Africa, he joined the Allied forces and his group left for Tafaraoui in September 1943 to receive American equipment.

Marin La Meslée was promoted as CO of GC 1/5 "Champagne" on January 9, 1944. The group went back to combat on 30 September 1944, operating from Salon-de-Provence in support of the French and Allied forces pursuing the Germans along the Rhône River, flying mostly ground support missions.

On 4 February 1945, near Colmar, Edmond Marin La Meslée was shot down during a strafing attack when his Republic P-47 suffered a direct hit from a 40 mm shell. His aircraft exploded in the crash but his body was nevertheless recuperated by the Germans. He had received a piece of shrapnel in the head, and had probably died even before the crash.

On 14 February 1953, his name was given to the french air base of Reims.

[edit] List of credited aerial victories

1. 11 January 1940 ; Do 17 ; Longwy

2. 12 May 1940 ; Ju 87 ; Bouillon

3. 12 May 1940 ; Ju 87 ; Pouru St-Rémy

4. 12 May 1940 ; Ju 87 ; Sainte-Cécile

5. 13 May 1940 ; Bf 109 ; Stonne

6. 15 May 1940 ; Hs 126 ; Vendresse

7. 16 May 1940 ; Do 215 ; Rethel

8. 18 May 1940 ; He 111 ; Rethel

9. 18 May 1940 ; He 111 ; Ponsart

10. 18 May 1940 ; He 111 ; Laon

11. 19 May 1940 ; He 111 ; Hesse

12. 24 May 1940 ; Hs 126 ; Saint-Loup-au-Terrier

13. 25 May 1940 ; Hs 126 ; Boult-aux-Bois

14. 26 May 1940 ; He 111 ; Tannay

15. 3 June 1940 ; Hs 126 ; Sommauthe

16. 10 June 1940 ; Ju 88 ; Chatillon-sur-Bar

[edit] Awards

Légion d’honneur ;

Croix de guerre (avec onze palmes) ;

Distinguished flying cross.