Fonck's credibility

Doesn't the fact that René Fonck probably lied about the death of Kurt Wissemann, hurt the credibility of his other claims?

On what basis do you say Fonck lied about shooting down Guynemer's victor? Do you have evidence that shows someone other than Fonck killed Weissman?

1. What did Fonck say or write ?

2. What makes people think that when he said it or wrote it that he knew it was false ?

Lt. Kurt Wissemann (Jasta 3) was shot down by pilots of 56 sqn. on 28 September 1917 in the Thourout-ruddervoorde-Courtrai-menin area. (see "Who Downed the Aces in WW1?) They were in the right location at the right time. I am still checking but Fonk's sqn. did not appear to be in that area.

One has to wonder if Fonck's credibility should be questioned. In "Bloody April...Black September" there was the suggestion in September 1918 Fonck took credit for another pilot's claims when he thought the other fellow had been shot down. A bit of embarresment when the "downed" pilot appeared! Afterall, there has to be more to the negitive feelings most other pilots had for him other then personality.

I tend to agree with Mark. Fonck was not well liked by his piers and didn't appreciate the fact that he wasn't credited with some 125 victories he boasted he'd achieved. Even MvR and many others were not credited with planes believed shot down, but Fonck was the only one (of the infamous aces)I'm aware of that truly boasted of 'whom' he shot down. Given this, the fact that R. Fonck was quite arrogant, and the historical facts surrounding Wisseman's demise, certainly discredit the integrity of the man in my most humble opinion. Read his book sometime.."Ace of Aces"