Jean Mermoz
Encyclopedia
Jean Mermoz was a French
aviator
, viewed as a hero by many in both Argentina
and his native France
, where many schools bear his name. In Brazil
, he also is recognized as a pioneer aviator, but few people in that country really know his great actions during the first years of South America’s aviation.
lover. He also admired sculpture
and other forms of art. He has been described as shy and as a quiet adolescent. He also liked literature
, but he shunned potential careers in any art fields to concentrate on becoming a pilot. In 1919, he graduated from school.
In 1920, he met Max Delby, a teacher who helped Mermoz increase his interest in aviation
. In April 1921, he flew as a pilot for the first time.
news, joined the French Air Force
in 1922, being assigned, as a pilot of the air force's 11th regiment, to duty in Syria
. In 1924, he returned to France, having arguably been one of the most successful pilots in the Syrian operations. Mermoz relocated to Toulouse
. Later on, Mermoz went on to become an airmail pilot, with Latécoère's company, and almost failed his entry exam by performing dangerous stunts to impress the director. (The director, Didier Daurat
had this famous quote: "We don't need acrobats here, we need bus drivers.") He then did a normal, flawless flight and was hired. It was there that Mermoz met Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
. At the Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, Mermoz travelled to Morocco
, Senegal
and other Africa
n areas.
In 1926, one of Mermoz's flights ended with an accident, when his plane crashed in the Sahara
. Taken hostage by a group of rebel Tuaregs, he was later found alive.
. The Latécoère 25
, (or "Laté 25") and, later, the Latécoère 26
and Latécoère 28
proved to be efficient aircraft when flying from Morocco to Senegal, and Mermoz himself flew the types on those routes on multiple occasions.
But Africa was only the beginning. Latécoère's project was to create a direct airline between France and South America. By 1929, it had become evident that it would be economically viable for France to establish a commercial air route to South America, so Mermoz and others flew over the Andes
. Despite Mermoz finding the flying conditions over the Andes to be tough, he became the project's main pilot, determined to reach the Pacific Ocean
, and he was able, after multiple stops, to reach Santiago, Chile
. During that time, to save time, he decided to fly during the night, using light beacons and flares as guides, and his fellow pilots, for once, were a bit reluctant to see him do it, because they knew it would be their turn next.
For some time, as transatlantic flights were not yet possible, steamboats linked both halves of the "Line".
After flying from Saint-Louis, in Senegal, to Natal, Brazil
, in 12-13 May 1930, the line was complete at last. Unfortunately, the modified Laté 28 "Comte-de-la-Vaulx" did not prove reliable enough, and had to ditch at sea during the return flight. Mermoz, his two companions and the mail were rescued, but the plane sank during the attempt to tow it.
In 1933, Mermoz was appointed general inspector by Air France
. That same year, he arrived in Argentina, where he and Saint-Exupéry became important persons during the infancy of what would later become Aerolíneas Argentinas
. Mermoz and Saint-Exupéry flew many dangerous flights for the then new air company. They became regarded as two of the most important men in the history of Argentine commercial aviation. From 1934 to 1936, Mermoz would fly private expeditions on Latécoère 300
airplanes. He flew 24 expeditions with that type. In 1935, he also flew de Havilland DH.88
"Comet" airplanes.
Croix du Sud . After learning that he would have to wait for another one to be prepared, he took off again in the same plane after a quick repair, concerned that he would be late in delivering the mail. (His last words before boarding the plane were "Quick, let's not waste time anymore.")
Four hours later, the radio station received a short message, where Mermoz reported that he had to cut the power on the aft starboard engine. The message was interrupted abruptly. No further messages were received, and neither the Laté 300 nor the crew were ever recovered.
It is assumed that the engine they had tried to repair lost its propeller midflight, and being one of the aft engines, the loose propeller either badly damaged or cut the hull entirely, causing the plane to lose its tail and crash instantly. Henri Guillaumet
, one of Mermoz's fellow pilots, had encountered the same problem a few months before, but as his own engine was on the forward side, airspeed had been sufficient to maintain the propeller in place until the landing.
A French lycée in Buenos Aires is called after him. This bilingual school is located in the intersection of Ramsay and Juramento streets in Belgrano.
A road in Paris (rue Jean Mermoz), between the Champs Elysées and rue Saint-Honoré
has been named after him.
The French city of Toulouse
has a road (rue Jean Mermoz) and a subway station on Line A (Métro Mermoz) in his honour.
The 1955 built French ocean liner
Jean Mermoz
was named after him.
His epic flights over the Andes and across the Atlantic were commemorated in a film (Mermoz) for which Arthur Honegger
wrote the music score. Two orchestral suites drawn from the score were recorded in the 1990s on CD and issued on the DG and Marco Polo labels.
crew on 12/7/1936:
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
, viewed as a hero by many in both Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and his native France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where many schools bear his name. In Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, he also is recognized as a pioneer aviator, but few people in that country really know his great actions during the first years of South America’s aviation.
Early years
Mermoz was a poetryPoetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
lover. He also admired sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
and other forms of art. He has been described as shy and as a quiet adolescent. He also liked literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, but he shunned potential careers in any art fields to concentrate on becoming a pilot. In 1919, he graduated from school.
In 1920, he met Max Delby, a teacher who helped Mermoz increase his interest in aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
. In April 1921, he flew as a pilot for the first time.
First flights and beginning of "The Line"
Mermoz, whose infancy had been marked by World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
news, joined the French Air Force
French Air Force
The French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
in 1922, being assigned, as a pilot of the air force's 11th regiment, to duty in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. In 1924, he returned to France, having arguably been one of the most successful pilots in the Syrian operations. Mermoz relocated to Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
. Later on, Mermoz went on to become an airmail pilot, with Latécoère's company, and almost failed his entry exam by performing dangerous stunts to impress the director. (The director, Didier Daurat
Didier Daurat
Didier Daurat was a pioneer of French aviation.-Biography:Daurat was a fighter pilot during World War I, distinguishing himself by spotting the Paris Gun which was pounding Paris....
had this famous quote: "We don't need acrobats here, we need bus drivers.") He then did a normal, flawless flight and was hired. It was there that Mermoz met Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry , officially Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint Exupéry , was a French writer, poet and pioneering aviator. He became a laureate of France's highest literary awards, and in 1939 was the winner of the U.S. National Book Award...
. At the Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, Mermoz travelled to Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
and other Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n areas.
In 1926, one of Mermoz's flights ended with an accident, when his plane crashed in the Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
. Taken hostage by a group of rebel Tuaregs, he was later found alive.
The golden years
In 1927, Latécoère began building his own brand of planes to replace the aging World War I aircraft Breguet 14Breguet 14
-See also:-References:*Tomasz J. Kowalski, Samolot Breguet 14, TBiU no.197, Warsaw 2002, ISBN 83-11-09461-6...
. The Latécoère 25
Latécoère 25
|-References:* *...
, (or "Laté 25") and, later, the Latécoère 26
Latécoère 26
|-See also:...
and Latécoère 28
Latécoère 28
-See also:- External links :...
proved to be efficient aircraft when flying from Morocco to Senegal, and Mermoz himself flew the types on those routes on multiple occasions.
But Africa was only the beginning. Latécoère's project was to create a direct airline between France and South America. By 1929, it had become evident that it would be economically viable for France to establish a commercial air route to South America, so Mermoz and others flew over the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
. Despite Mermoz finding the flying conditions over the Andes to be tough, he became the project's main pilot, determined to reach the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, and he was able, after multiple stops, to reach Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
. During that time, to save time, he decided to fly during the night, using light beacons and flares as guides, and his fellow pilots, for once, were a bit reluctant to see him do it, because they knew it would be their turn next.
For some time, as transatlantic flights were not yet possible, steamboats linked both halves of the "Line".
After flying from Saint-Louis, in Senegal, to Natal, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, in 12-13 May 1930, the line was complete at last. Unfortunately, the modified Laté 28 "Comte-de-la-Vaulx" did not prove reliable enough, and had to ditch at sea during the return flight. Mermoz, his two companions and the mail were rescued, but the plane sank during the attempt to tow it.
In 1933, Mermoz was appointed general inspector by Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
. That same year, he arrived in Argentina, where he and Saint-Exupéry became important persons during the infancy of what would later become Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas , formally Aerolíneas Argentinas S.A., is Argentina's largest airline and serves as the country's flag carrier. Owned in its majority by the Argentine Government, the airline is headquartered in the Torre Bouchard, located in San Nicolás, Buenos Aires...
. Mermoz and Saint-Exupéry flew many dangerous flights for the then new air company. They became regarded as two of the most important men in the history of Argentine commercial aviation. From 1934 to 1936, Mermoz would fly private expeditions on Latécoère 300
Latécoère 300
-See also:-External links:**...
airplanes. He flew 24 expeditions with that type. In 1935, he also flew de Havilland DH.88
De Havilland DH.88
The de Havilland DH.88 Comet was a twin-engined British aircraft that won the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race, a challenge for which it was specifically designed...
"Comet" airplanes.
Disappearance at sea
On December 7, 1936 he turned back shortly after take-off to report a troublesome engine on his Latécoère 300Latécoère 300
-See also:-External links:**...
Croix du Sud . After learning that he would have to wait for another one to be prepared, he took off again in the same plane after a quick repair, concerned that he would be late in delivering the mail. (His last words before boarding the plane were "Quick, let's not waste time anymore.")
Four hours later, the radio station received a short message, where Mermoz reported that he had to cut the power on the aft starboard engine. The message was interrupted abruptly. No further messages were received, and neither the Laté 300 nor the crew were ever recovered.
It is assumed that the engine they had tried to repair lost its propeller midflight, and being one of the aft engines, the loose propeller either badly damaged or cut the hull entirely, causing the plane to lose its tail and crash instantly. Henri Guillaumet
Henri Guillaumet
Henri Guillaumet was a French aviator.He was a pioneer of French aviation in the Andes, the South Atlantic and the North Atlantic. He contributed to the opening up of numerous new routes and is regarded by some as the best pilot of his age...
, one of Mermoz's fellow pilots, had encountered the same problem a few months before, but as his own engine was on the forward side, airspeed had been sufficient to maintain the propeller in place until the landing.
An unreliable plane
As a sidenote, Mermoz's fate was all the more tragic as he himself had grown dissatisfied with the quality of the planes he and his companions had to pilot. In the months before his demise, he had been very vocal about the aircraft' poor quality in both design and material, and was quoted saying "Ask me to pilot anything, even a wheelbarrow, but at one condition: make sure it is solid.". In fact, another Laté 301, F-AOIK "Ville-de-Buenos-Aires", had disappeared eight months before his own, causing the death, among others, of his mechanic and friend Collenot, and the complicated Hispano-Suiza 12Ner engines thought to be the cause of both crashes were later decommissioned and replaced with older, more reliable ones. His message had been heard, too late.Tributes
In 1937 Mermoz was honoured by a series of two French postage stamps bearing his image.A French lycée in Buenos Aires is called after him. This bilingual school is located in the intersection of Ramsay and Juramento streets in Belgrano.
A road in Paris (rue Jean Mermoz), between the Champs Elysées and rue Saint-Honoré
Rue Saint-Honoré
The rue Saint-Honoré is an ancient street in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France.It is named after the collegial Saint-Honoré church situated in ancient times within the cloisters of Saint-Honoré....
has been named after him.
The French city of Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
has a road (rue Jean Mermoz) and a subway station on Line A (Métro Mermoz) in his honour.
The 1955 built French ocean liner
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
Jean Mermoz
MV Serenade
The MV Serenade was a French ocean liner and later cruise ship, operating until 2008 when she was sold for scrap.-Ocean liner service:...
was named after him.
His epic flights over the Andes and across the Atlantic were commemorated in a film (Mermoz) for which Arthur Honegger
Arthur Honegger
Arthur Honegger was a Swiss composer, who was born in France and lived a large part of his life in Paris. He was a member of Les six. His most frequently performed work is probably the orchestral work Pacific 231, which is interpreted as imitating the sound of a steam locomotive.-Biography:Born...
wrote the music score. Two orchestral suites drawn from the score were recorded in the 1990s on CD and issued on the DG and Marco Polo labels.
Mermoz's planes
- Latécoère 25Latécoère 25|-References:* *...
, F-AIEH - Latécoère 28Latécoère 28-See also:- External links :...
hydro, "Comte-de-la-Vaulx" F-AJNQ - Cams 56, F-ALCG
- Couzinet 70Couzinet 70-See also:...
, "Arc-en-Ciel", F-AMBV - Latécoère 300Latécoère 300-See also:-External links:**...
, "Croix-du-Sud", F-AKGF
Laté 300 "Croix du Sud", more details
- tail number: F-AKGF
- dimensions: 26.2m x 44.2m x 6.5m
- engines: 4× Hispano Suiza 12NER, water-cooled V12 engines, 650hp each
- cruise speed: 160 km/h
- gross weight: 11.3 tons
- range: 4800km
crew on 12/7/1936:
- Jean Mermoz, Pilot
- Alexandre Pichodou, Copilot
- Henri Ezan, Navigator
- Edgar Cruveilher, Radio Officer
- Jean Lavidalie, Mechanic
Writings
- Mes vols (Flammarion, 1937) : an unfinished collection of memories (« My Flights ») published shortly after his death, along with short homages from his best-known friends and admirers.
- Défricheur du ciel (Bernard Marck (ed.), Archipel, 2006) : edition of Mermoz's correspondence from 1921 to his death in 1936.