Adolphe Celestin Pègoud

[thedude]

I was wondering how French Ace Adolphe Pègoud (The first ace of all time??) achieved his kills. Did he used carbines, pistols etc., or did he have a fixed gun? Or, was he simply the pilot while an observer actually shot at the enemy?

Lastly, what type of aircraft did he fly?

Thank You,
The Dude

[Rod_Filan]

It's my understanding that Pègoud gained all of his victories on the Morane N firing through the propeller arc using 'Garros wedges', commonly refered to as deflector plates.

VBR
Rod

[Cigogne]

He also flew the Nieuport 10 modified into a single-seat aircraft w/ Lewis gun mounted on the top wing.

[thedude]

I'm afraid both the Morane L with deflector plates on the propellor, and the Nieuport 10 can not be correct, as his first 5 victories were in Feb and very early april 1915, before these aircraft were at the lines:

See Morane L with deflector, April 1915.

The Nieuport 10 arrived in the war in the middle of summer 1915, I believe.

The first year of WWI aviation seems to be full of many holes. Although aces are named within this period, finding the types of aircraft they flew can be frustrating. Does any out there know where I can find good information on the earliest air battles?

Thanks for all you input
the dude

[Rod_Filan]

Good point. Can't always believe what you read.

Sous Lieutenant Pègoud flew with MF25, MS37, MS49

First 3 victories shared with gunner Le Rendu- 5 Feb 1915 on Maurice Farman. 1 Taube and 2 Aviatik C types

3 Apr -Pègoud bags two 2-seaters with Escadrille MF25 again.

Looks like 11 Jul over Aviatik with MS49 would be the only Morane-Saulnier N with deflector plate victory.

VBR
Rod

[Mosen]

It is unlikey that there were any C-types in front-line in February 1915. Aviatik C.I and Albatros C.I started their military use only in April 1915.
BTW who were Pègouds victims? It seems that he didn't kill any German before July, 11, 1915, were a crew of FFA 48 could be shot down by him.

Mosen

[Rod_Filan]

Pègoud Medaille Militaire Citation

Adjudant reservist of an aviation group; has pursued enemy planes on several occasions. On 5 February 1915, he attacked a scout from a short distance causing it to fall; immediately afterwards he attacked two two-seaters causing the first to fall and forcing the second to land.


VBR
Rod

Source of citation and above victories: Over The Front

[Soderbaum]

Rod

If Pegoud scored the first Hat-Trick in the aviation history already on 5 Febr 1915 it would have been something really hot for the military media..

The citation does not indicate that any of the three German a/c actually were destroyed...

I like Mosen have some "doubts" about these victories/claims..but I can easily change my mind if there are documents which can show that the German had any losses this day which can possible be the victims of Pegoud...

Gunnar

[Rod_Filan]

Gunnar,

Pègoud was endeared by the French people, and his exploits were very much reported by the French media. It was the French newspapers coined the term "Un As" in describing his attaining five victories. Is it possible Le Rendu and Pègoud fabricated the events of 5 Feb? Yes, it is possible. Are German records incomplete and perhaps contain intentional and unintentional ommissions. Based on claims v. losses 1914-18 overall; imo very probable.

What's important is that world history credits Pègoud as being the first Flying Ace. Do you propose he be stripped of this title because Germany has no record of loses on this day!?

BTW it appears to me at least, that Aviatik was a generic term
used by both Germany and France early in the War to describe a 2-seater. (I.E. französischer Aviatiker)

VBR
Rod

[Mosen]

Let's agree to that:
In the early 1915 air-to-air combat was still an remarkable event. On Feb 5 and April 3 an agressive attacking Pégoud met several opponents who received some bullets and got very impressed by Pégoud's superior flying ability.
Without being wounded or damashed the Germans prefered the flight and landed quickly on own territory, watched by Pégoud and some other witnesses. The legende was born on both sides and forced the Germans to send one of there best man, Kurt Wintgens, to the Alsace to counterpart Pégoud.

Mosen