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:
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
