Georges Boillot

7 June 2002, 04:37 PM

I am after any information about Georges Boillot short service in the L'Armee de l'Air as a fighter pilot. He was killed in action flying over Verdun on 21/5/1916. Before the war he was a national hero in France as a Grand Prix racing car driver for Peugeot. He was born in 1885.
Does anyone anything of his service or where he is buried etc?
Cheers

Frank_Olynyk · 7 June 2002, 09:49 PM

According to the Bailey & Cuny

The French Air Service War Chronology, a S/Lt Boillot was credited with an Aviatik two seater crashed at La Chapelle on March 31, 1916 as his first victory, while serving in N.49. On May 7, 1916 a S/Lt Boillot claimed an Albatros FTL South of Azannes (no credit), while serving in N.65. And on May 19, 1916 (not May 21) a S/Lt Georges Boillot, CO of N.65 was KIA, no location given. I would expect that the May 7 Boillot is the same as the May 19 Boillot, and I would guess/assume (pending further word from Bill) that the March 31 Boillot is the same individual. But the name does occur later in the book: a Sgt André Boillot was WIA on February 25, 1917 while in N.77; and presumably the same person, but given only as Sgt Boillot of N.77 shared a balloon with two others on June 24, 1917.

I would assume, unless Bill Bailey says otherwise, that the first three references to Boillot are to the same person (Georges), and the last two are to a different person (André).

Frank.

ONEALM · 8 June 2002, 05:53 AM

Hi Ralphy -

I'll echo Frank's comments and then take the liberty of extracting info from Bill Bailey and Paul Joly's C&C (US) Vol.17/1 article about N/SPA. 77. *

In a footnote to that article, Bill identfies the SPA 77 Boillot as Sgt. Andre Boillot, the brother of Georges Boillot, "famous auto driver who was Killed in action 20 May 1916 while serving with N.65 after having scored three victories and being awarded the Legion d' Honneur". * *

You can get a copy of Boillots LdH citation and other info from the:

SHAA
94300 Chateau d'Vincennes
FRANCE

The article gives G. Boillots victory dates as 30 March, 7 May and 20 May, but I would trust the later published work first. *In any case it only confirms that those three scored with N.65 were your man, not his brother Andre. *

With 3 victories, he was certainly awarded the CdG and possibly MM as well. Bill could probably provide a good bio if he's not buried under his current project(s). *

There is more in the N.77 article about Andre so if you are looking for him as well there's still some ground to till there.

Good luck, *
Mike

jempie · 11 June 2002, 12:40 AM

Hello!
Georges BOILLOT : I have an article published on him 1916.05.17.
Following this, the funeral ceremonial took place on Sunday at VADELAINCOURT (dep. Meuse)
Navarra and Nungesser attended the ceremonial, they came by plane to drop some flowers on his grave...After the ceremonial they returned by the same way...(So could it be he is burried at Vadelaincourt?)
He was granted with the the Croix de guerre on 15th May. and died on 20th May (Saturday).
He was attcked by 5 Fokkers, from which he shot one down...himself shot crashed over his own lines.
If I do understand quite wll the French lecture, Navarra shot down the same day a German plane over the French lines at Chattancourt his 11th.
Nungesser his 15th!
Sunday 21st May 1916 than ?

Jempie.

jempie · 11 June 2002, 12:45 AM

Sorry!
I see just a typewriting error:
Article was published o 27th May 1916!
(Not 17th!)
What goes on his career as race car driver, He was the champion in the Grand prix de l'Automobile Club de France at Dieppe 1912.

Jempie.

jempie · 11 June 2002, 01:00 AM

Hello!
I jus remark there are two other photos on the funeral scene...
Try to add them!
Jempie

jempie · 11 June 2002, 01:02 AM

It's difficult when only 50Kb is allowed to add!
Jempie.

ONEALM · 11 June 2002, 02:38 AM

More info from Bill Bailey -(thanks Bill!)

BOILLOT, Georges Louis Frédéric
Born: 3 April 1889, at Valentigny
Entered military service 1 October 1905, served with 21st Infantry Regiment.
Received French Aero Club Pilot Brevet #.395, 3 February 1911.
Mobilized 2 August 1914
Received Military PIlot Brevet #1759, 13 October 1915, as a Sous-lieutenant.
Served with Escadrille N 49 4 Feb 1916 to 4 April 1916
Served with Escadrille N 65 from 4 April 1916 to 19 May 1916, when killed in
action.
Commanded N 65 from 3 May 1916 until 19 May 1916.
Chevalief de la Légion d'Honneur 9 April 1916, byOrdre #2717 "D".
VVictories:
P 8 Mar 16 LVG
1 31 Mar 16 Aviatik C La Chapelle 4-01-16 2.
P 6 Apr 16 Aviatik
2. 7 May 16 Albatros S Azannes 5-08-16 4.719

-Mike