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Eugène Weismann

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Eugène Weismann
Born18 March 1896
Paris
Died20 July 1973(1973-07-20) (aged 77)
Paris
AllegianceFrance
Service / branchInfantry; aviation
Years of service1914–1918
RankLieutenant
Unit28c Regiment d'Infanterie
Escadrille 132
AwardsLégion d'honneur
Médaille militaire
Croix de Guerre

Lieutenant Eugène Weismann (18 March 1896 – 20 July 1973) joined the infantry on 28 September 1914 and suffered frostbite and three wounds before transferring to aerial service in 1917. The loss of a foot to a grenade did not prevent him from becoming an aerial gunner and a flying ace with seven confirmed aerial victories.[1] Weismann was one of five notable Jewish aces.[2] He also received citations in World War II.[3]

Biography

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See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

Eugène Weismann was born in Paris on 18 March 1896.[4]

On 28 September 1914, he volunteered for the military, being accepted as an infantryman. In November, he suffered shrapnel wounds; in December, his feet froze. In May 1915, shrapnel once again found the body of Eugène Weismann. Promoted to Sergeant in October 1915, he was considered for officerhood. He became an Aspirant for officer's rank on 1 May 1916. Nine days later, he rejoined his regiment, only to have a foot blown away on 1 June. Despite the amputation, he returned to regimental duty on 23 May 1917, only to transfer to aviation duty. He was subsequently brevetted as an aerial observer on 17 July 1917.[4]

On 19 April 1918, he was raised from Aspirant to Sous lieutenant. That same day, he was posted to a Brequet bomber squadron, Escadrille BR.132. At some point, Weismann learned to fly, as his commanding officer in Escadrille BR.132, Jean-François Jannekeyn, often flew with him as the observer.[4]

On 22 June 1918, Weismann shot down two German airplanes; he downed another on 22 August. Then, on 14 September 1918, with Jannekyn manning the observer's guns, the duo found themselves one of four Breguet bombers fending off German Fokker D.VII fighters. Four Fokkers fell to the bomber formation. In French fashion, all their participants were credited with four victories each, although the squadron's victory count only went up by four. Weismann was now a flying ace; Jannekyn also became an ace, with five victories total.[4]

By the time the war ended on 11 November 1918, Weismann had flown 131 combat sorties, carried out 40 bombing raids, and been in 20 aerial combats. He had been awarded the Medaille Militaire, and the Croix de Guerre with seven palmes and an etoile d'argent. On 22 June 1919, he was rewarded with membership in the Legion d'honneur.[4]

Weisman would serve again in World War II, earning a number of decorations, both French and American. He would die in his native Paris on 20 July 1973.[4]

End notes

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  1. ^ The Aerodrome [1] Retrieved 8 September 2020
  2. ^ Les cahiers du judaïsme 21-22 Alliance israélite universelle 2007 "Mais avec l'institution du palmarès des As qui connaît une immense publicité en France, « un combattant sorti de l'anonymat 82». Ce sont surtout les chasseurs qui bénéficient de cette reconnaissance. ... Cinq As juifs se distinguent dont Jacques-Louis Ehrlich – dix-neuf avions et Drachens abattus -, Eugène Weismann, ..."
  3. ^ Marcel Catillon Mémorial aéronautique: qui était qui? 1997 p195 "WEISMANN Eugène Né le 18 mars 1896. Décédé le 14 juillet 1973. AS 1914–1918 avec 7 victoires aériennes homologuées. "
  4. ^ a b c d e f Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, pp. 226 - 227

References

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  • Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank (1993). Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918. London, UK: Grub Street Publishing.
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