sparty
02-24-2010, 19:22
Armand Pinsard
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=133&pictureid=2988
The National Chicle Sky Birds card for Armand Pinsard
Arman Pinsard was a French flyer who was known as a balloon buster claiming 7 balloons from the 8th of July 1918 until the 22nd of August of that year. On the 25th of February 1917, however, Pinsard claimed his 4th victory against an Enemy Aircraft (model not known) near Orefeuil.
Pinsard was decorated twice for service in Africa when he began his military career in the infantry. In 1912 he transferred to the French Air Service and was shot down and captured on the 8th of February 1915 behind enemy lines. It took Pinsard nearly 2 months to recover from his injuries, but this did not dampen Pinsard's spirits. Pinsard's captivity was marked by numerous failed escape attempts, but with the help of another prisoner he was able to tunnel under a 12 foot wall and escape to Switzerland.
During his captivity airplane technology and models continued to develop and when he was rejoined with the French Air Service he had to be retrained on the new equipment. An interesting note is the Armand Pinsard was the first pilot to fly the new Spad VII.
Pinsard was a highly decorated pilot receiving:
* Légion d'Honneur (FR)
* Médaille Militaire (FR)
* Croix de Guerre with 19 Palms (FR)
* The Military Cross (GB)
* Italian Military Medal
* Moroccan Medal
After the war Pinsard stayed in the Air Service and was elevated to the top of the Legion d'Honneur as a Grand Officer. He was able to mentor future French ace Camille Plubeau and finally got to the meet that man who's life he had once saved by shooting down a Fokker that was attacking his aircraft. This man was film-maker Jean Renoir who was so thankful that he based the main character in his movie Grand Illusion on Pinsard.
Pinsard died while attending a dinner in his honor in Paris.
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=133&pictureid=2988
The National Chicle Sky Birds card for Armand Pinsard
Arman Pinsard was a French flyer who was known as a balloon buster claiming 7 balloons from the 8th of July 1918 until the 22nd of August of that year. On the 25th of February 1917, however, Pinsard claimed his 4th victory against an Enemy Aircraft (model not known) near Orefeuil.
Pinsard was decorated twice for service in Africa when he began his military career in the infantry. In 1912 he transferred to the French Air Service and was shot down and captured on the 8th of February 1915 behind enemy lines. It took Pinsard nearly 2 months to recover from his injuries, but this did not dampen Pinsard's spirits. Pinsard's captivity was marked by numerous failed escape attempts, but with the help of another prisoner he was able to tunnel under a 12 foot wall and escape to Switzerland.
During his captivity airplane technology and models continued to develop and when he was rejoined with the French Air Service he had to be retrained on the new equipment. An interesting note is the Armand Pinsard was the first pilot to fly the new Spad VII.
Pinsard was a highly decorated pilot receiving:
* Légion d'Honneur (FR)
* Médaille Militaire (FR)
* Croix de Guerre with 19 Palms (FR)
* The Military Cross (GB)
* Italian Military Medal
* Moroccan Medal
After the war Pinsard stayed in the Air Service and was elevated to the top of the Legion d'Honneur as a Grand Officer. He was able to mentor future French ace Camille Plubeau and finally got to the meet that man who's life he had once saved by shooting down a Fokker that was attacking his aircraft. This man was film-maker Jean Renoir who was so thankful that he based the main character in his movie Grand Illusion on Pinsard.
Pinsard died while attending a dinner in his honor in Paris.