Fonck, René

ww1 ace · 8 December 2005, 12:11 PM

I was reading WWII, a chronology of the Second World War, and it said during 1940,

René Fonck was in a charge of a Free French squadron. What I want to know is that imformation of the squad, or any kills scored by Fonck.

Barrett · 8 December 2005, 02:44 PM

At the time of WW II Fonck was inspector of fighters, and since he remained in France thereafter he certainly never led a Free French unit!

It's been claimed that he tried to organize Vichy pilots to fly against Britain but I've never seen the least bit of information on it.

saruffin · 8 December 2005, 04:36 PM

I agree with Barrett that the information is sketchy, but I have read in at least a couple of places that in 1940, after the fall of France, Fonck supported the French Vichy government.

Supposedly, he had met Reichsmarschall

Hermann Göring in Paris in August 1940, and become friends with him. Fonck is said to have assisted Göring by organizing French pilots to fight against the Allies, and was later arrested by Free French authorities for collaboration.

What happened to him after that, I don't know. I believe he did live a relatively long life. Hope someone else can add more facts.

Steve

TomVrille · 8 December 2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saruffin

Supposedly, he had met Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring in Paris in August 1940, and become friends with him. Fonck is said to have assisted Göring by organizing French pilots to fight against the Allies, and was later arrested by Free French authorities for collaboration.

What happened to him after that, I don't know. I believe he did live a relatively long life. Hope someone else can add more facts.
Steve

As I recall, Fonck met Göring shortly after WW1, and was instrumental in getting him an aviation related job in Sweden, when virtually all aviation was banned in Germany. The two were on good terms well before 1940, and this may have contributed to the suspicion of collaboration.

After WW2, Fonck remained in Paris until his death in 1953 at the age of 59.

ww1 ace · 15 December 2005, 12:08 PM

I'm suprised he didn't get shot. In my opinion, HE WAS A TRAITOR!

frontflieger · 16 December 2005, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ww1 ace

I'm suprised he didn't get shot. In my opinion, HE WAS A TRAITOR!

Hello,

not all traitors were shot. Remember Pétain! He was the héro of VERDUN 1916 ... and the President of VICHY... Because of his first action he wasn't shot for the second one.

Thorsten

ww1 ace · 18 December 2005, 01:08 PM

That stupid Hitler!

castiglione · 18 December 2005, 10:02 PM

Well, not all "traiters" were shot as it probably would have torn the country apart. I think De Gaulle took the politically expedient route and basically "forgave" as many sins as he could and had the more egregious examples thrown to the wolves.

Billy_Bishop · 19 December 2005, 01:57 AM

Other than between war friendliness, what REAL reason would there be to call Fonck a traitor?

Executioner128 · 19 December 2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy_Bishop

Other than between war friendliness, what REAL reason would there be to call Fonck a traitor?

Because he was a cheeky person, mainly because of his "I am everyone's hero & I am the greatest" behavior. I assume he would not turn down an offer that would make him more famous again, even an offer by the Germans.

Just an interpretation, I don't say it is 100% true... but it might !