Aces/Pilots/Aircrew from asia/africa in WW1?

[ceaserhull]

Have recently read a thread concerning indian pilots and aces who served in the Royal Flying Corp/Royal Air Force in WW1. i also know of japanese pilots who flew with in the french air force during WW1. Have also seen the film Flyboys again (good movie in regard to dogfight scenes but bit lame in regard to "storyline"!!). It also featured an African-American pilot, not sure how feasible/true to life this is? Know of African-Amrerican pilots serving in the US Air Force in WW2, but not WW1?

However is there a definitive list of pilots/aces/aircrew from Africa/Asia who flew in WW1 in any air force. Both France and Britian had huge empires at the time covering a large number of african and asian nations, which could feasibly have produced pilots or aircrew serving in these air forces?

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour ceaserhull!

Actually the "African-American pilot" featured was among the somewhat accurate elements of Flyboys. The character was a reflection of Eugene J. Bullard who was born in 1894 Columbus, Georgia, but, left the United States of America to escape prejudice and settled in France. Following the outbreak of war he joined the French Foreign Legion, serving in the 170th Infantry, winning the Croix de Guerre, and after being wounded was able to transfer to the aviation service.

Following training Bullard served in a position administering others who had volunteered to fight with the French before obtaining a position in Spa.93. It has been noted that a SPAD VII was flown on which he had painted the phrase "Tout le Sang qui coule est rouge!". Later came a transfer for Bullard to Spa.85.

With Spa.85 Bullard claimed to have downed a Fokker Dr.1 on November 7 and Pfalz D.III on one of the following days, but, neither was officially confirmed. Apparently, though the specifics are in question, an incident with a French officer resulted in a return to the 170th Infantry with which service was completed before being granted an honourable discharge on October 23, 1919. Efforts by Bullard to transfer to the United States Air Service (as did many American volunteers serving in the Lafayette Flying Corp) were rebuffed.

Following the war Bullard remained in France for many years playing drums in a band and operating an athletic club. He married in 1923 and became father to two daughters. Bullard settled in the United States of America in 1941 to be all but forgotten ... though not by France by which Bullard was made, on October 9, 1959, a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

Bullard died on October 12, 1961 and was buried with a French flag over the coffin.

Jon Guttman wrote an article about Bullard which appeared in Windsock International, Volume 7, No.3 and The Black Icharus: Eugene Bullard In The Dawn Of Military Aviation by James H. Cockfield may be found in Over the Front, Volume 9, Number 4 ... both are interesting and informative articles.

Salut!
Kirk

[dpolglaze]

There is also a bio of Bullard entitled "The Black Swallow of Death" by PJ Carisella and James Ryan. It's an interesting read, but usually kind of pricy when you find it (although one went on eBay tonight for $11).

Dan

[Gregvan]

Hi,

In the Ottoman Air Force, there was Naval Pilot Engineer Mülazim (Lieutenant) Ahmet of the Naval Flying School, Yesilköy. To quote Dr. David Nicoll's book, "The Ottoman Army 1914-1918":

"Most Ottoman aircrew were recruited from the Turkish heartland or from Turkish or other Muslim refugees from the Balkans; others came from the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire as far south as Yemen or even from neutral Iran.Captain Ahmet was of African-Arab origin and may have been the first black Air Force pilot in aviation history, having received his wings in 1914-1915."

In the Imperial Russian Air Force, there was Feldwebel Marcel Pliat, described as "half French and half black". Little is known about his early life or even how he came to serve in the Russian Air Service. He was a gunner on board on Il'ya Mouromets bombers. During a dangerous mission on 26 April 1916, despite a broken arm, he climbed out onto the wing to repair a damaged engine in flight and "remained there for half an hour performing repairs". He eventually scored one confirmed victory and two "probables", and according to some sources was "the first black aviator to shoot down an aircraft in combat."

This topic has been addressed many times on this forum. If I recall correctly, one of our French members stated there there were several black French aviators from France's colonial possessions in the French Navy - but I'm not sure about that.

For what it's worth, Lt. William Rhodes-Moorehouse, the first airman to win the Victoria Cross, had a grandmother who was the daughter of a Maori chief...

Greg

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour ceaserhull!

Brief descriptions of Asians known to have flown in the Great War follow -

Japanese Onokichi Isobe who had served in the Japanese navy, but, in 1915 entered service with the French Foreign Legion and, having already become a pilot, served with the aviation service as a member of N.48 and N.57. He was awarded the Légion d'Honneur in 1917. Having been severely wounded Isobe left the military and, at some point in time, returned to Japan.

Japanese Shukuosuke Kobayashi, having been a member of the French Foreign Legion, became a member of Spa.86, but, in June, 1918, was killed in action.

Indian Hardit Singh Malik (who was born in present day Pakistan) attempted to join British forces but was rejected for and eventually volunteered to be a member of French Red Cross. He endeavored to join the French air service and was accepted, but eventually British authorities relented and thus flight training began. Malik went on to serve with 28 Squadron, 78 Squadron and was with 11 Squadron upon the conclusion of the fighting.

Japanese Goroku Moro, having become a pilot prior to the commencement of the Great War, volunteered to fight with the French and served as member of C.51 and survived the conflict to become a figure of note in aviation circles in Japan.

Iranian Djibrail Nazare-Aga who enlisted with the French Foreign Legion and transferred to the air service in 1916 and eventually became a pilot of bombers and by the conclusion of hostilities had been decorated with the Croix de Guerre and Palme and would be made a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

Iranian Soliman Nazare-Aga who enlisted with the French Foreign Legion and transferred to the air service in 1915 and ultimately served with N.82. In July, 1917 Nazare-Aga was shot down to become a prisoner of war.

(Note that Djibrail Nazare-Aga and Soliman Nazre-Aga were cousins.

Indian Indra Lal Roy who joined the British forces and served with 56 Squadron and 40 Squadron with which credit was given for 10 aerial victories before being killed in combat in July, 1918.

Indian E. Sen who joined the British forces and served with 70 Squadron to be downed and made a prisoner of war in September, 1917.

Japanese Kiyotake Shigeno who became a pilot in France in 1912 and returned to Japan having designed, built and flown an aircraft. After returning to France, with the outbreak of war, he volunteered for service and became a member of several observation units before joining the ranks of N.26 (becoming Spa.26). Shigeno survived the conflict having been involved in much combat and was officially recognized as having sent down two aircraft.

Chinese Étienne Tsu was living in France when the Great War began and entered service with the French Foreign Legion and later was able to effect a transfer to the air service. Following training came assignment to N.37. Tsu proved to be a most capable combatant and survived the war, having had several successful combats, to return to China for further aerial adventures.

Japanese Nobuo Yamanaka is known to have fought with French forces as a member of N.49 and Spa.77 until suffering serious injuries induced by a crash.

Please note that much of the original research into the subject of Asians who flew during the Great War was undertaken by Jon Guttman.

Were there more? Could there have been pilots or aircrew from the south east Asian territories controlled by France? I would be grateful for details concerning any other Asians, in particular any of Cambodian or Laotian or Vietnamese descent.

Salut!
Kirk

[gilles]

Hi

There was also an officer from Annam/Indochina named Do-Hu-Vi : pre-war pilot, made reconnaissance flights in Morroco in 1912, bomber pilot in 1915. He died in the infantry in 1916.

An african pilot : Salah Siamer from Algeria, in SPA124 in 1918.

Gilles

[vb136]

To add to Gilles' post above: Do-Huu Vi flew Voisin bombers in GB 1 during 1915, with VB 101 and Vb 102. He was later posted to GB 2, to serve as technical officer on the staff of that bomber-unit.
He was born on 17 December 1883, and joined the military in 1904, with the French foreign legion.

[vb136]

And to add more people to your list: Alfred Taïeb, from Tunisia, flew with
F130, later renamed CAP 130 as a gunner with that bombing unit, part of GB 2, in 1917 and 1918.

[frontflieger]

...he had painted the phrase "Tout le Sang qui coule est rouge!"...

All blood that flows is red!




"Blut ist ein ganz besonderer Saft" v. Goethe
(Blood is a very special juice!)

[TomVrille]

There were, of course, many South African fliers, most notably Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp Proctor, awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts! :)