HEROIC GUYNEMER 100 YEARS AGO

Here is a tribute to Captain Georges GUYNEMER who was killed in action on September 11th, 1917. Three months earlier, he fought with Ernst Udet, the ace who came up 2nd after the Red Baron. You can watch hereafter how this dogfight reportedly happened, and how these fighter pilots had the gut to keep honor above all:

Georges Guynemer, French Air Force pilot and WWI ace
Georges Guynemer by « Lucien » – Jebulon https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jebulon

Remember Guynemer’s mottos:

FAIRE FACE (face up to it) was then adopted by the French Air Force Academy (FAFA) as their motto. A few words that well expresse the French pilots’ bravery.

WWI French ace Georges Guynemer used to say:

« Il y a une limite à toute chose, et il faut toujours la dépasser. »

‘Everything has a limit which has always got to be surpassed.’

« Lorsque l’on n’a pas tout donné, on n’a rien donné. »

‘As long as you have not given your all, you have given nothing.’

Loyal to these principles, the French ace took part in several hundreds of aerial combats, crediting 53 victories, maybe 88 victories because the French victory validation system was demanding. He was shot down seven times, and he was admired for he always survived, but that September 11, a hundred years ago. The hero took off once again, dashed to the frontlines, outnumbered by German warplanes in a last dogfighting over Belgium. Then, he fell. Since then, the French Air Force aviators have worn a black tie in sign of mourning.

RIP

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Guynemer’s motto – « FAIRE FACE »

WWI French ace Georges Guynemer used to say:

  • « Il y a une limite à toute chose, et il faut toujours la dépasser. » « Everything has a limit which has always got to be surpassed. »
  • « Lorsque l’on n’a pas tout donné, on n’a rien donné. » « Until one has given all, one has given nothing »

Last but not least, Captain Guynemer’s most famous phrase – « Faire face » « Face up to it » was then adopted by the French Air Force Academy (FAFA) as their motto. A few words that well expresses the French pilots’ bravery.

Loyal to these principles, the French ace took part in several hundreds of aerial combats, crediting 53 victories. He was shot down seven times, and he was admired for he always survived, but that September 11… The hero took off once again. Outnumbered by German warplanes in a last dogfighting over Belgium. Then, he fell.

RIP

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Student pilots’ shoulder patch: EOPN 2008C

Patch_No_brain_no_fear_08CAs I have been craving for displaying some badges and patches online, it is high time I started up a new category dedicated to this kind of arts, and it is an honor for the FIRST patch I have added on this purpose comes from student pilots – namely the excellent EOPN 2008C entry, recovering the famous motto « NO BRAIN, NO FEAR! ». Good luck to them all as they are compelled to pass several exams (by the way, a minimum of TOEIC 550 is required) and ratings through a long and demanding curriculum.

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FEMMES PILOTES dans l’ARMEE DE L’AIR

A NE MANQUER SOUS AUCUN PRETEXTE:

Ce soir, mercredi 24 juin 2009

sur FRANCE 3 à 20h35

Un magnifique documentaire consacré aux portraits de 5 femmes pilotes de l’armée de l’air. Elles ont été suivies tout au long d’une année lors de différentes opérations et situations.On ne souligne jamais assez le courage de ces femmes qui ont décidé à un moment de leur vie de partir à la fois à la conquête de l’air et à la défense de leur pays. Il n’existe dans ce blog qu’un tag consacré aux femmes et seuls quelques articles les mettaient en valeur. Dans la future version de Prepa PLS Anglais, une section entière de la branche « Topics » sera consacrée aux femmes qui ont marqué l’histoire de l’aviation et toutes celles qui oeuvrent dans l’aéronautique ou/et les armées. Pour tout ce qu’elles ont déjà accompli, on ne peut que dire « Chapeau bas, mesdames! »
Ne manquez pas à 20h35 sur la 3 le reportage de ce soir. Certainement TRES INTERESSANT !

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THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

François MAGUIN kindly allowed me to post his compact military aviation glossary for quick reference (click on the aircraft and/or the « passenger » below).

Clerk riding aircraft fuselage

Mr Maguin is a highly experienced English teacher at the French air force school of management and administration, and at the EOAA (French Air Force Academy – Salon de Provence) as well. He brilliantly translated Hamlet into French – a best-seller among the bilingual books. He has been involved in many works, groups and projects. This military aviation glossary should regularly be updated, the sky being the limit indeed. This publication is deemed to become no less than a must.

All my gratitude, and heartfelt thanks for all his efforts in supporting me and this blog so many times. Click on the man riding the aircraft above in order to download this military aviation glossary « The sky’s the limit« .

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