Rene Fonck

Why is Fonck so disliked? *I've been an aficionado of WW1 aviation for years but all I know about the Allied Ace of Aces is that he was arrogant and no one liked him.

Can any one provide more detail about why he seems to be ignored by us enthusiasts? *Is there a good biography on the man? *Heck, *I don't even know when or how he died. *Just curious.

[jado]

BJD Hi!

I have a copy of Foncks' autobiography "Ace of Aces", an air combat classic by Doubleday Publishing. *In it, and I realize editorial license my have been taken, his words do not appear that of a man all taken with himself. *In speaking about attaining the title I quote:

"Dorme and Guynemer, always in the air, multiplied their victories, and for my part, I was a little discouraged by it. *As a matter of fact, deep down in my heart I had the ambition to equal them, and the margin between their scores and mine constantly widened, Indeed, I did take over the glorious titles that they held, after their disappearance, but their deaths left a true feeling of grief in my heart - as an aviator and as a Frenchman. *This is not the way that I wanted to become "ace of aces". *I had a dream of being at their side on the blessed day when the National Army, marching to the E'toile under the Arc de Triomphe, would continue the glorious parade begun at the beginning of our history and pursued from age to age, according to the rite evoked by Detaille in the great fresco of the Pantheon."

Though some of his peers may not have liked what Fonck had to say, his ability is without question. *Major Charles Biddle ( Lafayette Escadrille, Spa 73, 13th Aero, 103 Aero had this to say:
* * * * * * *
"Taking everything into consideration, Fonck is, to my mind in a class by himself as a fighter pilot. *There have been many other great pilots just as brave, such as Guynemer and Ball, but none of them have combined with it Foncks marvelous Skill."

I personally feel that one of the reasons Fonck is overlooked is that the French idealized Guynemer and the rest of us are uncomfortable with a Frenchman leading the allied list.

[Richard_Schrader]

BJD;
Fonck was a great fighter pilot but the fact that he was also a man that didn't let the truth get in the way of a good story cause him problems with his fellow pilots.

Richard

Thanks for the responses. *See, all these years collecting aviation books and I just now found out about Fonck's.
*I wonder if Fonck had been killed during the war would he have more respect from historians now? *

[dpcmodels]

BJD,
* * * *Fonck was an airman of great skills and an excellent marksman. He would spend hours going over each round to his MG's looking for substandards that may cause a jam.

Often he would be seen on the airfield with his rifle taking target practice, which he took great pride in. His aim was so uncanny, that he scored with a minimum number of bullets -
sometimes 4 or 5 sufficed. He never was one to do stunting
for fun but flew as a means of fighting.

While listed first in his countries scoring, he was always second in the peoples heart(next to Guynemer). Fonck did
have one bad habit.......he tended to brag a little to much,
much like Bert Hall.

Had Fonck started his flying carreer in 1916 instead of May 3,1917 (as a fighter pilot) I believe his score would have been much higher and may have even surpassed the great Von Richthofen himself. I would highly recommend reading his book.
Then read Richthofens. You will find that both airman do have a lot in common, both personally and politically.
Fonck died quietly in his sleep in 1953.

Hope the above info helps some. Best wishes.

Dave *

And his bragging.....
My perceptions are a little different. I did a stint during the cold war doing predictive math on aircraft of the Evil Empire. That ment, I spent a bit of time with a number of fighterpilots.
In 82, I was invited to the annual Dadalian's meeting and assigned "honorary membership" being NOT a fighter pilot.
I think that Fonck states things that are typical for the way Frenchmen brag. Mericans brag in a less romantic form, Italians are even more romantic about praising other pilots and so on. But, simply, Living Pilots brag, and it often offends other people. (something more modern, read Wolfe's "The Right Stuff")
Fonck lived to brag in public, Guynemer did not. I think it is as simple as that.
I admire ALL these guys. Alone, dying alone, in the sky taking on the world; I admire them all. They are entitled to aggrandizement.
It has been years since I read Rene's book, but as I remembered, he explained that conformation procedures ment that he got CHEATED out of 40 or so. Fine with me.
Some people, particulary us English Speakers, like our Heros to affect a Modesty that is becoming an Gentleman. In my experience, some of the pilot I met who figured this out and were Publically Modest, in private, in front of ME were just typical "I walk On WATER" figterpilots.

Fate

[jado]

In response to dpcmodels comment about scores, Foncks record of unconfirmed victories may interest you:

1916................ 2
1917................18
1918................32
Total * * * * * * * *52

When added to 75 confirmed 127 total.

I'm certainly not saying that Fonck shot down 127 enemy aircraft. *But, many believe that the Great Guynemer scored many more than the 53 confirmed for him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VBR
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Joe

[BobE]

This is a lucky thread for me. I was getting ready to inquire about Fonck myself. Not so much with regard to his personality but that so little is said about him. Have not read his book. Does it give details of his combats? Maybe that's the problem. No twisting and turning or near escapes from an opponent. Creeping in close unopposed and going "Bang Bang your dead" doesn't make for very exciting reading. I don't know if this is the case or not having only read isolated blurbs here and there about him. Just making a guess. Reading suggestions anyone?
Bob E ???

[BobE]

Just another thought. Have never seen any of his aircraft illustrated anywhere. Prejudice; or just lack of info?
Bob

[Richard_Schrader]

All;
I think Fonck was a very smart pilot. He took no chances, and only attacked when he was sure of a kill. Added to that he was a very good marksman.

Richard