Jean Derode
Encyclopedia
Capitaine Jean Marie Emile Derode was a World War I flying ace
credited with seven aerial victories.
Derode began the war as a dragoon, but switched to aviation in 1915. He was posted to Escadrille 67 to pilot a Nieuport
. He staked an unconfirmed claim on 16 October 1916, and followed it up with official ones on 15 November and 27 December 1916. He was given command of Escadrille 102, and began scoring with it on 23 April 1917. He brought home a badly damaged machine from this sortie, and was honored for his effort with the Médaille militaire. He continued to score with his squadron, reaching six confirmed and three unconfirmed by 6 March 1918. His command was then switched to Escadrille 99. He used one of their Spad
s to shoot down his seventh victim on 4 June 1918, only to be promptly shot down himself.
"Temporary capitaine, commanding escadrille N102; excellent squadron commander who, in his competitive spirit with his pilots, never ceases to display the greatest intrepidity. He has had numerous combats during the course of which he has downed three enemy planes. He particularly distinguished himself on 23 April 1917 by his energy and coolness, in succeeding to land normally in our lines after his plane was severely damaged during combat with an enemy plane. Already cited three times in orders."
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 seven aerial victories.
Derode began the war as a dragoon, but switched to aviation in 1915. He was posted to Escadrille 67 to pilot 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:...
. He staked an unconfirmed claim on 16 October 1916, and followed it up with official ones on 15 November and 27 December 1916. He was given command of Escadrille 102, and began scoring with it on 23 April 1917. He brought home a badly damaged machine from this sortie, and was honored for his effort with the Médaille militaire. He continued to score with his squadron, reaching six confirmed and three unconfirmed by 6 March 1918. His command was then switched to Escadrille 99. He used one of their 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 to shoot down his seventh victim on 4 June 1918, only to be promptly shot down himself.
Honors and awards
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur"Temporary capitaine, commanding escadrille N102; excellent squadron commander who, in his competitive spirit with his pilots, never ceases to display the greatest intrepidity. He has had numerous combats during the course of which he has downed three enemy planes. He particularly distinguished himself on 23 April 1917 by his energy and coolness, in succeeding to land normally in our lines after his plane was severely damaged during combat with an enemy plane. Already cited three times in orders."