Bernard Barny de Romanet
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Bernard Henri Barny de Romanet was a World War I flying ace
credited with 18 aerial victories.
Barny de Romanet joined the French army in October 1913. When World War I began, he went into combat with both cavalry and infantry regiments. He transferred into the French air service in July 1915. Six months later, in January 1916, Barny de Romanet received his brevet (permit) as a pilot. His first assignment to Escadrille 51 was as a Caudron
reconnaissance pilot. He trained as a fighter pilot in February 1917 and made the transition to flying single-seated Nieuport
fighters for Escadrille 37. His first victory was scored on 3 May 1917. He waited almost a year before continuing, with his second triumph coming on 31 March 1918. He became an ace on 30 June 1918, and a double ace on 22 August. That would be his last victory and last day with Escadrille 37. He was then charged with forming Escadrille 167, a Spad
squadron, assumed its command, and scored eight more victories while leading it.
Post war, de Romanet became a successful sporting pilot, breaking the World Air Speed record on two occasions in 1920. Barny de Romanet died in a flying accident on 23 September 1921, while practicing for the 1921 Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe race.
citation, 23 May 1917
Elite pilot, as brilliant in pursuit aviation as he was in reconnaissance. Has had numerous combats giving proof under all circumstances of the highest military qualities. On 3 May 1917 he attacked, over their lines, two enemy scouts and downed one of them. Already cited three times in orders.
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation
Elite officer, who received notice in the cavalry at the beginning of the war by bold reconnaissances, then in observation aviation, and finally in pursuit aviation where his brilliant qualities as a pilot, his coolness, and his daring in combat are always cited as examples. He inspires his patrols to attack enemy planes very superior in number putting them to flight and flaming one of them. Also, recently he downed successively two German planes, reporting therewith his 16th and 17th victories. Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Six citations. Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation.
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...
credited with 18 aerial victories.
Barny de Romanet joined the French army in October 1913. When World War I began, he went into combat with both cavalry and infantry regiments. He transferred into the French air service in July 1915. Six months later, in January 1916, Barny de Romanet received his brevet (permit) as a pilot. His first assignment to Escadrille 51 was as a Caudron
Caudron
The Caudron Airplane Company was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 by brothers Gaston Caudron and René Caudron . It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both World War I and World War II...
reconnaissance pilot. He trained as a fighter pilot in February 1917 and made the transition to flying single-seated 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:...
fighters for Escadrille 37. His first victory was scored on 3 May 1917. He waited almost a year before continuing, with his second triumph coming on 31 March 1918. He became an ace on 30 June 1918, and a double ace on 22 August. That would be his last victory and last day with Escadrille 37. He was then charged with forming Escadrille 167, a 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:...
squadron, assumed its command, and scored eight more victories while leading it.
Post war, de Romanet became a successful sporting pilot, breaking the World Air Speed record on two occasions in 1920. Barny de Romanet died in a flying accident on 23 September 1921, while practicing for the 1921 Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe race.
Honors and awards
Médaille MilitaireMédaille militaire
The Médaille militaire is a decoration of the French Republic which was first instituted in 1852.-History:The creator of the médaille was the emperor Napoléon III, who may have taken his inspiration in a medal issued by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland...
citation, 23 May 1917
Elite pilot, as brilliant in pursuit aviation as he was in reconnaissance. Has had numerous combats giving proof under all circumstances of the highest military qualities. On 3 May 1917 he attacked, over their lines, two enemy scouts and downed one of them. Already cited three times in orders.
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation
Elite officer, who received notice in the cavalry at the beginning of the war by bold reconnaissances, then in observation aviation, and finally in pursuit aviation where his brilliant qualities as a pilot, his coolness, and his daring in combat are always cited as examples. He inspires his patrols to attack enemy planes very superior in number putting them to flight and flaming one of them. Also, recently he downed successively two German planes, reporting therewith his 16th and 17th victories. Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Six citations. Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation.
Reference
- SPAD XII/XIII aces of World War I. Jon Guttman. Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1841763160, 9781841763163