Charles J. V. Macé
Encyclopedia
Adjutant Charles Jean Vincent Macé (5 April 1898 – 7 June 1919) was a French flying ace
during World War I. He shot down eight German observation balloons and four enemy airplanes for confirmed victories.
Charles Macé volunteered for military service for the duration of hostilities on 21 October 1915, when he was still only 17 years old. His initial assignment was to the 23e Regiment de Dragoons. On 30 May 1916, he changed branches to join the 12e Regiment d'Artillerie. On 22 July 1917, he was forwarded to the 2e Groupe d'Aviation for pilot's training. After completion of training, he was then posted to Escadrille 90. A promotion to Sergent followed, on 5 December 1917.
Macé scored his first two victories on 27 March 1918, sharing them with Maurice Bizot
and Laurent Ruamps. He was then promoted to Adjutant
on 24 April 1918. On 24 August, he would shoot down his third German airplane, a two-seater. On 15 September 1918, Macé began a string of triumphs that blinded the Germans by depriving them of the observation balloon
s they used to direct their artillery fire. Macé and Marius Ambrogi
downed one of the lethal gasbags over Geline on that date. A week later, Macé torched two more of the airborne observation platforms in the same vicinity. Jean Andre Pezon
aided him on 10 October; this was another win over Geline. The 18th saw victories near Ommeray
and Avricourt
, with Ambrogi and another French sergent pilot helping. The 22nd saw two more wins in the vicinity of Geline. On the 28th, Macé shot down a Hannover CL for his final victory. He ended his war a balloon buster
ace, with eight to his credit, as well four triumphs over German airplanes.
The citation for the Medaille Militaire Charles Jean Vincent Macé received a few days later, on 2 November 1918, encapsulated his feats:
"Self-sacrificing, audacious, and unselfish pilot who is an excellent example to all. He has returned sixteen times with his clothes and aircraft shot through by enemy fire. He has destroyed two planes and one balloon. On 22 September [1918], he reported two new victories by flaming two enemy observation balloons. Four citations."
He had also been awarded the Croix de Guerre with seven palmes.
Macé survived the war, but was killed in a flying accident on 7 June 1919.
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 shot down eight German observation balloons and four enemy airplanes for confirmed victories.
Charles Macé volunteered for military service for the duration of hostilities on 21 October 1915, when he was still only 17 years old. His initial assignment was to the 23e Regiment de Dragoons. On 30 May 1916, he changed branches to join the 12e Regiment d'Artillerie. On 22 July 1917, he was forwarded to the 2e Groupe d'Aviation for pilot's training. After completion of training, he was then posted to Escadrille 90. A promotion to Sergent followed, on 5 December 1917.
Macé scored his first two victories on 27 March 1918, sharing them with Maurice Bizot
Maurice Bizot
Adjutant Maurice Bizot was a French World War I flying ace credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:Bizot joined the French military on 8 January 1915. Rated a soldat de 2e classe, he was assigned to 11e Regiment d'Artillerie a pied. He was promoted to enlisted Brigadier on 6 April...
and Laurent Ruamps. He was then promoted 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...
on 24 April 1918. On 24 August, he would shoot down his third German airplane, a two-seater. On 15 September 1918, Macé began a string of triumphs that blinded the Germans by depriving them of the observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
s they used to direct their artillery fire. Macé and Marius Ambrogi
Marius Ambrogi
Sous Lieutenant Marius Jean Paul Elzeard Ambrogi flew as a fighter pilot in both World Wars. He became a flying ace during World War I, with fourteen aerial victories; he added another "kill" during World War II...
downed one of the lethal gasbags over Geline on that date. A week later, Macé torched two more of the airborne observation platforms in the same vicinity. Jean Andre Pezon
Jean Andre Pezon
Lieutenant Colonel Jean Andre Pezon began his military career during World War I and became a flying ace credited with ten confirmed aerial victories. He served his nation through World War II and into the Korean War.-World War I:...
aided him on 10 October; this was another win over Geline. The 18th saw victories near Ommeray
Ommeray
Ommeray is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
and Avricourt
Avricourt
Avricourt is the name of the following communes in France:* Avricourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department* Avricourt, Moselle, in the Moselle department* Avricourt, Oise, in the Oise department...
, with Ambrogi and another French sergent pilot helping. The 22nd saw two more wins in the vicinity of Geline. On the 28th, Macé shot down a Hannover CL for his final victory. He ended his war a balloon buster
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
ace, with eight to his credit, as well four triumphs over German airplanes.
The citation for the Medaille Militaire Charles Jean Vincent Macé received a few days later, on 2 November 1918, encapsulated his feats:
"Self-sacrificing, audacious, and unselfish pilot who is an excellent example to all. He has returned sixteen times with his clothes and aircraft shot through by enemy fire. He has destroyed two planes and one balloon. On 22 September [1918], he reported two new victories by flaming two enemy observation balloons. Four citations."
He had also been awarded the Croix de Guerre with seven palmes.
Macé survived the war, but was killed in a flying accident on 7 June 1919.