Louis Prosper Gros
Encyclopedia
Sous Lieutenant Louis Prosper Gros (24 March 1893 – 3 March 1973) became a flying ace
during World War I
, scoring eight confirmed aerial victories, and possibly a ninth. He continued in aviation after the war, and defended his nation again during World War II
.
) in the artillery. On 24 September 1914, he was promoted to Maréchal-des-logis. A year and a day later, he was wounded in action
. When he was released from the hospital, he applied for pilot's training. He began his aviation training at Chateauroux
on 16 February 1916. On 23 March, he moved on to train at Chartres
. On 28 May 1916, he was granted Military Pilot's Brevet No. 3565. He trained further, at Avord
and Chateauroux before being assigned to combat duty. On 22 October 1916, he was posted to Escadrille HF41 (the 'HF' denoting the squadron's use of Henri Farman
observation aircraft). While with this squadron, he scored his first win on 13 April 1917, won the Médaille militaire on 5 May 1917, and was promoted to Adjutant on 5 November 1917. On 21 December, he was sent to fighter pilot's training.
Gros was posted to Escadrille 154 as a Spad
pilot on 1 January 1918. He was a team player, sharing seven victories between 3 April and 22 August 1918 with such other balloon buster
aces as Paul Y. R. Waddington
, Paul Barbreau
, Paul Petit
, Jacques Ehrlich
, Théophile Henri Condemine, and Michel Coiffard
. A ninth victory is ascribed to him, but no details are available on it.
Gros was given a temporary promotion to Sous lieutenant during this victory string, on 26 April 1918. He was also wounded again, on 15 September. He was inducted into the Légion d'honneur on 9 October 1918.
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
World 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...
, scoring eight confirmed aerial victories, and possibly a ninth. He continued in aviation after the war, and defended his nation again during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
World War I
Gros enlisted in the French military in 1913. When World War I began, he was serving as an enlisted Brigadier (equivalent to CorporalCorporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
) in the artillery. On 24 September 1914, he was promoted to Maréchal-des-logis. A year and a day later, he was wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
. When he was released from the hospital, he applied for pilot's training. He began his aviation training at Chateauroux
Châteauroux
Châteauroux is the capital of the Indre department in central France and the second-largest town in the province of Berry, after Bourges. Its residents are called Castelroussines or Castelroussins....
on 16 February 1916. On 23 March, he moved on to train at Chartres
Chartres
Chartres is a commune and capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. It is located southwest of Paris.-Geography:Chartres is built on the left bank of the Eure River, on a hill crowned by its famous cathedral, the spires of which are a landmark in the surrounding country...
. On 28 May 1916, he was granted Military Pilot's Brevet No. 3565. He trained further, 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...
and Chateauroux before being assigned to combat duty. On 22 October 1916, he was posted to Escadrille HF41 (the 'HF' denoting the squadron's use of Henri Farman
Farman
Farman Aviation Works was an aeronautic enterprise founded and run by the brothers; Richard, Henri, and Maurice Farman. They designed and constructed aircraft and engines from 1908 until 1936; during the French nationalization and rationalization of its aerospace industry, Farman's assets were...
observation aircraft). While with this squadron, he scored his first win on 13 April 1917, won the Médaille militaire on 5 May 1917, and was promoted to Adjutant on 5 November 1917. On 21 December, he was sent to fighter pilot's training.
Gros was posted to Escadrille 154 as 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:...
pilot on 1 January 1918. He was a team player, sharing seven victories between 3 April and 22 August 1918 with such other 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....
aces as Paul Y. R. Waddington
Paul Y. R. Waddington
Sous Lieutenant Paul Yvan Robert Waddington was a French World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.Waddington joined the 141e Regiment d'Infanterie on 15 December 1914 as a Soldat de 2e classe. He was promoted to Caporal on 21 June 1915; exactly a month later, he was forwarded to...
, Paul Barbreau
Paul Barbreau
Sous lieutenant Paul Augustin Edouard Barbreau was an Algerian-born French World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Early life:...
, Paul Petit
Paul Petit
Adjutant Paul Armand Petit was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...
, Jacques Ehrlich
Jacques Ehrlich
Sous Lieutenant Jacques Louis Ehrlich was a World War I flying ace who was one of the leading balloon busters of the war.He enlisted in the French army on 29 May 1913. Three and a half years later, in December 1916, he transferred to aviation. In May 1917, he was brevetted a pilot. Two months...
, Théophile Henri Condemine, and Michel Coiffard
Michel Coiffard
Michel Joseph Callixte Marie Coiffard was one of the leading French flying aces of the World War I. He was notable for his success as a balloon buster shooting down enemy observation balloons, which were usually heavily defended by anti-aircraft machine guns and artillery and by fighter planes...
. A ninth victory is ascribed to him, but no details are available on it.
Gros was given a temporary promotion to Sous lieutenant during this victory string, on 26 April 1918. He was also wounded again, on 15 September. He was inducted into the Légion d'honneur on 9 October 1918.
Post World War I
Louis Prosper Gros continued to fly following the war, amassing some 3,500 flight hours. He returned to his country's service on two occasions, during 1935–1936, and again for World War II.Endnotes
- Award of the Croix de guerre was a prerequisite for this award.
- Award of the Croix de guerre was a prerequisite for this award.
External links
- http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/gros.php provides a victory list and mini-biography