André Herbelin
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel André René Celestin Herbelin was a French flying ace
during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories. He returned to his country's defense again during World War II, becoming part of the French Resistance
against the Nazis.
Herbelin was a non-commissioned officer in the French infantry's inactive reserves when World War I began. On 19 August 1914, he was called to the colors again and assigned to the 8e Regiment du Train des Equipages as a Sergent. He transferred to aviation service on 28 January 1916 for pilot's training at Avord
. On 29 March 1916, he was granted Pilot's Brevet No. 3088. He then underwent advanced training at Pau and Cazaux
before reporting for assignment on 20 August 1916. On 4 September, he was forwarded to Escadrille 102.
He flew a Nieuport
to score his first victory on 25 January 1917, and followed it up with two more, on 16 and 19 March. A promotion to Adjutant
came on 25 March 1917. On 8 April, he transferred to Escadrille 81, which also operated Nieuports. On 20 April, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire to accompany his Croix de Guerre. He resumed scoring in August, downing three more German planes, including one shared with Gabriel Guérin
and Marcel A. Hugues
. Two claims for September wins went unverified. Then, on 11 October, he was hospitalized for a brief stay. While recuperating, he was commissioned as a Sous lieutenant. On the 25th, he returned to his squadron. In December, Herbelin teamed with Hugues, Adrien L. J. Leps
, and Adjutant Levecque for two more wins.
His ninth triumph came on 30 January 1918, his tenth on 5 March. A month later, on 6 April 1918, he was appointed a Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur. He transferred to Escadrille 97 on 22 May 1918 to fly Spad
s. On 15 July, he tallied his final victory. André Herbelin had eleven confirmed victories to show for over 1,400 combat hours flown during the war.
The 1920 listing of French civil aircraft shows Herbelin operating two Spad VII, registry codes F-ABEI and F-ABEJ, so he apparently continued to fly after the war.
During World War II, Herbelin would join the French Resistance
against the Nazis occupying France. This brought him the honor of being raised to Commandeur
in the Legion d'Honneur at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Herbelin would go on to serve as secretary of the French Aces Association before his death on 16 December 1966.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories. He returned to his country's defense again during World War II, becoming part of the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
against the Nazis.
Herbelin was a non-commissioned officer in the French infantry's inactive reserves when World War I began. On 19 August 1914, he was called to the colors again and assigned to the 8e Regiment du Train des Equipages as a Sergent. He transferred to aviation service on 28 January 1916 for pilot's training at Avord
Avord
Avord is a commune in the Cher department in the Centre region of France.-Geography:A farming area comprising the village and several hamlets situated by the banks of the river Yèvre, some east of Bourges at the junction of the D976 with the D36 and the D71 roads...
. On 29 March 1916, he was granted Pilot's Brevet No. 3088. He then underwent advanced training at Pau and Cazaux
Cazaux
Cazaux is a commune of the Ariège department in southwestern France....
before reporting for assignment on 20 August 1916. On 4 September, he was forwarded to Escadrille 102.
He flew a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
to score his first victory on 25 January 1917, and followed it up with two more, on 16 and 19 March. A promotion to Adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
came on 25 March 1917. On 8 April, he transferred to Escadrille 81, which also operated Nieuports. On 20 April, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire to accompany his Croix de Guerre. He resumed scoring in August, downing three more German planes, including one shared with Gabriel Guérin
Gabriel Guerin
Sous Lieutenant Gabriel Fernand Charles Guérin , Legion d'Honneur, Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre, was a World War I fighter pilot credited with 23 victories.-Citations for military decorations:Médaille Militaire...
and Marcel A. Hugues
Marcel A. Hugues
Lieutenant Colonel Marcel Anatole Hugues was a French flying ace during World War I. He served before, during, and after the war, as he was a professional soldier...
. Two claims for September wins went unverified. Then, on 11 October, he was hospitalized for a brief stay. While recuperating, he was commissioned as a Sous lieutenant. On the 25th, he returned to his squadron. In December, Herbelin teamed with Hugues, Adrien L. J. Leps
Adrien L. J. Leps
Major Adrien Louis Jacques Leps was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as two probables. He served originally in the French cavalry, before shifting to flying...
, and Adjutant Levecque for two more wins.
His ninth triumph came on 30 January 1918, his tenth on 5 March. A month later, on 6 April 1918, he was appointed a Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur. He transferred to Escadrille 97 on 22 May 1918 to fly Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
s. On 15 July, he tallied his final victory. André Herbelin had eleven confirmed victories to show for over 1,400 combat hours flown during the war.
The 1920 listing of French civil aircraft shows Herbelin operating two Spad VII, registry codes F-ABEI and F-ABEJ, so he apparently continued to fly after the war.
During World War II, Herbelin would join the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
against the Nazis occupying France. This brought him the honor of being raised to Commandeur
Commandeur
Commandeur is a title in French and Dutch , usually rendered in English as Commander, with different uses. The literal meaning is he who commands, parallel to Commandant. In most senses the German equivalent is Kommandeur....
in the Legion d'Honneur at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Herbelin would go on to serve as secretary of the French Aces Association before his death on 16 December 1966.
External links
- http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/herbelin.php
- http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/ace_Herbelin.html