| Alfred Victor Robert Auger | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 January 1889 Constantine, Algeria |
| Died | 28 July 1917 (aged 28) |
| Allegiance | France |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Capitaine |
| Unit | Escadrille No. 11 |
| Commands held | Escadrille No. 31, Escadrille No. 3 |
| Awards | Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre |
Capitaine Alfred Victor Robert Auger was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.[1]
Auger began the war as an infantry officer; he was wounded in action on 31 August 1914. He transferred to flying service in 1915, only to be wounded again on 8 July.[2] On 22 September 1915, he took command of 31 Escadrille. He scored twice in this assignment, on 13 March and 2 April 1916. Auger was seriously injured in a crash on 16 April. He recovered, and flew with Escadrille 3 to score again on 9 February 1917. A week later, he was wounded yet again, in a dogfight with four Germans.[3] A month later, on 17 March 1917, Auger took command of Escadrille 3. He scored four more times, including a win shared with Joseph M. X. de Sévin, with his last being 28 June 1917.[4] Auger then upgraded to a Spad. On 28 July, he took his Spad into a dogfight with five German planes, and was shot in the neck. Bleeding profusely, he somehow still managed to land behind friendly lines but bled to death within a few minutes.[5] Jasta 8 seems to have been his opponent. Its commanding officer, Gustav Stenzel, was killed in this fight,[6] with no one claiming him. Rudolf Francke of Jasta 8 posted a claim that went unconfirmed, but was probably Auger.[7]
Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1-85532-961-1, 9781855329614.