Our new ace of the month is Capitaine
Georges Felix Madon, born 28 July '92 in Tunisia. His 41 victories place him high among the least recognized top aces of the Great War.
Having learned to fly in 1911, Madon entered the army the next year and obtained his military brevet in January 1913. Thus, Corp. Madon was one of the most experienced French military fliers when the war began. While flying with BL.30, he strayed into Swiss airspace in April 1915 but escaped internment in December.
Assigned to MF.218, then-Sgt Madon requested fighter duty and in Sept 1916 he joined N.38. He scored his first victory that month and by year end had four and was promoted to adjutant.
Madon was WIA on 2 July with 12 victories to his credit and was promoted to sous lieutenant in August 1917, becoming a permanent appointment in February 1918. At the end of '17 his string ran to 19 victories, and he continued scoring steadily. He left N.38 in March 1918 when his score stood at 25. He then assumed command of the escadrille which re-equipped with SPADs. Madon's best month was June 1918 when he claimed eight shootdowns. His 41st and final success came on 3 Sept, with temporary promotion to captain on 11 November.
Six years later, Madon was killed in Tunis while flying in a tribute to Roland Garros. He was 32 years old.
Unofficially, Madon was credited with 64 probable victories, for a theoretical total of 105!
1 July 1999, 03:43 PM
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