Michel Coiffard

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Michel Joseph Callixte Marie Coiffard (July 16, 1892- October 29, 1918) was among the most notable French fighter pilots of the First World War. A decorated prewar infantryman, he was serving in an artillery unit when the war began in 1914.

Repeatedly wounded and cited for courage under fire, Coiffard transferred to the infantry and finally was declared unfit for ground combat. Consequently, he joined the air service. He completed flight training during the first four months of 1917 and joined Escadrille N.154. After achieving his first victory he was commissioned late that year.

Coiffard scored two more successes in early 1918. However, not until the squadron transitioned to the sturdy SPAD series did he hit his stride. As a "balloon specialist" he made his mark, destroying five Drachen in eight days of June and July. At the end of July he had run his score to 17, adding eight in August and six more in September. In downing his 34th victim (a Fokker D.VII) he was critically wounded and died the next day, 29 October. He was 26 years old.

Coiffard's record included 24 balloons (21 shared) and 10 airplanes (4 shared), ranking him sixth among French aces.

He was awarded four medals, Médaille Militaire, Officier and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, and Croix de Guerre

[edit] References

Norman Franks and Frank W. Bailey (1992). Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the U.S. and French Air Services, 1914-1918. Grub Street, London.