Marcel A. Hugues
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Marcel Anatole Hugues (born 5 January 1892, date of death unknown) was a French flying ace
during World War I. He served before, during, and after the war, as he was a professional soldier. Later, he came out of retirement for World War II service and led Groupe de Chasse II/5 in its opening campaign against the invading Germans.
.
During his five years in the infantry, Hugues had been steadily promoted–to caporal on 25 April 1911, to sergent on 28 September 1912, to sergent-fourrier on 27 February 1913, to Sergent-Major on 2 August 1914, to adjutant
just 24 days later, and finally commissioned as an acting sous lieutenant on 26 April 1915.
aircraft). On 8 May 1916, he was sent to pilot's training at Pau. On 17 July 1916, he was awarded his Military Pilot's Brevet, No. 1260. On 23 September 1916, he was assigned to Escadrille N77 ('N' for Nieuport
). He scored his first victory with them, on 14 February 1917. He was forwarded to Escadrille N97 on 18 March 1917. With this unit, he scored twice more; his latter win, on 4 June 1917, was shared with Armand Pinsard
. He was then transferred to Escadrille N81 on 30 April 1917.
He became a balloon buster
for his first official win for N81, when he shot down a German observation balloon on 22 July 1917. He then ran off a succession of seven shared wins, teaming with Adrien L. J. Leps
, Gabriel Guérin
, Andre Herbelin
, and several other French pilots. Hugues ended 1917 with his tenth victory on 23 December.
On 7 March 1918, he was appointed to command of Escadrille Spa95 ('Spa' meaning Spad
). He would score twice more with this command, on 11 April and 3 May 1918. He ended the war with twelve confirmed and four unconfirmed aerial victories. He had been promoted to Lieutenant on 6 July 1917, and was further advanced, to Capitaine, on 28 June 1918.
Hugues finally ended his martial career as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was raised in rank within the Legion d'Honneur to Commandeur
. In addition to the Medaille Militaire, he had been awarded the Croix de Guerre with eight palmes and an etoile de vermeil, and the British Military Cross.
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 served before, during, and after the war, as he was a professional soldier. Later, he came out of retirement for World War II service and led Groupe de Chasse II/5 in its opening campaign against the invading Germans.
Infantry service
Hugues volunteered for a three year enlistment in the French military on 30 September 1910. He spent most of this enlistment in the 23e Regiment d'Infanterie; however, on 15 April 1913, he transferred to the 172e Regiment. On 30 September 1913, he re-enlisted for two more years. On 1 April 1915, he was shifted into the 407e Regiment. On 22 September 1915, he was forwarded to the Groupe d'Aviation at AvordAvord
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...
.
During his five years in the infantry, Hugues had been steadily promoted–to caporal on 25 April 1911, to sergent on 28 September 1912, to sergent-fourrier on 27 February 1913, to Sergent-Major on 2 August 1914, 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...
just 24 days later, and finally commissioned as an acting sous lieutenant on 26 April 1915.
Flying service during World War I
Hugues's 1915 Christmas present was confirmation in his commission as an officer. On 10 February 1916, he was assigned to Escadrille MF 22 (the 'MF' denoting the squadron used Maurice FarmanMaurice Farman
Maurice Alain Farman was a French Grand Prix motor racing champion, an aviator, and an aircraft manufacturer and designer.-Biography:...
aircraft). On 8 May 1916, he was sent to pilot's training at Pau. On 17 July 1916, he was awarded his Military Pilot's Brevet, No. 1260. On 23 September 1916, he was assigned to Escadrille N77 ('N' for 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 scored his first victory with them, on 14 February 1917. He was forwarded to Escadrille N97 on 18 March 1917. With this unit, he scored twice more; his latter win, on 4 June 1917, was shared with Armand Pinsard
Armand Pinsard
General Armand Pinsard , Chevalier, Officer, Commander, and Grand Officer of the Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre with 19 palms, Medaille Militaire, British Military Cross, Italian Military Medal, Moroccan Medal, was a World War I fighter ace credited with 27 victories...
. He was then transferred to Escadrille N81 on 30 April 1917.
He became 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....
for his first official win for N81, when he shot down a German observation balloon on 22 July 1917. He then ran off a succession of seven shared wins, teaming with Adrien L. J. Leps
Adrien L. J. Leps
Major Adrien Louis Jacques Leps was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as two probables. He served originally in the French cavalry, before shifting to flying...
, Gabriel Guérin
Gabriel Guerin
Sous Lieutenant Gabriel Fernand Charles Guérin , Legion d'Honneur, Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre, was a World War I fighter pilot credited with 23 victories.-Citations for military decorations:Médaille Militaire...
, Andre Herbelin
André Herbelin
Lieutenant Colonel André René Celestin Herbelin was a French flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories. He returned to his country's defense again during World War II, becoming part of the French Resistance against the Nazis.Herbelin was a...
, and several other French pilots. Hugues ended 1917 with his tenth victory on 23 December.
On 7 March 1918, he was appointed to command of Escadrille Spa95 ('Spa' meaning 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:...
). He would score twice more with this command, on 11 April and 3 May 1918. He ended the war with twelve confirmed and four unconfirmed aerial victories. He had been promoted to Lieutenant on 6 July 1917, and was further advanced, to Capitaine, on 28 June 1918.
Post World War I service
Hugues kept on soldiering after the war, remaining in service until his retirement in 1933. He returned to his country's defense for World War II, commanding Groupe de Chasse II/5. His group used Curtis Hawk 75s in their battle against the invading Germans, sending down at least 60 enemy planes for the loss of two French pilots.Hugues finally ended his martial career as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was raised in rank within the Legion d'Honneur to Commandeur
Commandeur
Commandeur is a title in French and Dutch , usually rendered in English as Commander, with different uses. The literal meaning is he who commands, parallel to Commandant. In most senses the German equivalent is Kommandeur....
. In addition to the Medaille Militaire, he had been awarded the Croix de Guerre with eight palmes and an etoile de vermeil, and the British Military Cross.
Reference
- Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914-1918 Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, 9780948817540.