Marcel Marc Dhôme
Encyclopedia
Colonel Marcel Marc Dhôme began his military career during World War I, when he became a flying ace
credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. He also served his nation in World War II, and during the Korean War
.
. On 5 February 1916, Dhôme received his Military Pilot's Brevet, No. 2624. Six days later, he was promoted to Caporal
. On 10 August 1916, he was assigned to instruct at Juvisy. On 14 December 1916, he was promoted to Sergent.
Dhôme was then rotated through schools at Avord
, Cazaux
, and Pau. On 2 March 1917, he was stationed at Villacoublay. On 28 April, he reached a frontline unit when he was stationed with Escadrille 81 as a Spad VII pilot. He scored his first win on 12 August 1917. He shared his second triumph with another pilot a week later. After his third victory on 23 September, he was advanced to Adjutant
on 15 November 1917. He downed an enemy plane on both the 11th and 15 December to become an ace, a feat which earned him the Medaille Militaire to add to his Croix de guerre.
Dhôme received his MM on 2 January 1918. Two days later, he shared his sixth victory with Henri Péronneau. Dhôme would reap three more wins during 1918, including a win over an observation balloon
(which was shared with Armand de Turenne
). On 11 August, Dhôme was awarded the Legion d'honneur. On 24 September, he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant.
in 1923, a Morgan
in 1924, and a Darmont-Morgan Blackburne in 1927. His last known entry in racing came in 1931. This was the same year he registered his private plane there in France; on 26 June 1931, he was listed as a part-owner for Potez 36.14 with civil marking FALJY.
He would be elevated within the Legion d'honneur to Officier in December 1932.
Dhôme also served during World War II, commanding Groupe de Chasse 1/55 and rising to the rank of Commandant
. He would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1945. In May 1947, he reached the top level of the Legion, becoming a Commandeur
.
Marcel Marc Dhôme retired as a Colonel on 24 January 1955.
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 nine confirmed aerial victories. He also served his nation in World War II, and during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
World War I
On 22 October 1913, Dhôme voluntarily enlisted for three years military service. He was assigned to aviation. After World War I broke out, on 25 September 1914, he was transferred to infantry duty. While in this assignment, he was wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh on 10 June. On 1 October 1915, he was transferred back to aviation to attend pilot's training. On 16 November, he reported to the aviation school at BucBuc
Buc may refer to:* Buc, Yvelines, a commune of the Yvelines département, in France* Buc, Territoire de Belfort, a commune of the Territoire de Belfort département, in France* Búč, a village in south Slovakia* buc, the ISO 639-3 code for the Bushi language...
. On 5 February 1916, Dhôme received his Military Pilot's Brevet, No. 2624. Six days later, he was promoted to Caporal
Caporal
Caporal may refer to:*Caporal, a type of strong dark tobacco*Caporales, a Bolivian dance*Caporal in French, equivalent to Corporal...
. On 10 August 1916, he was assigned to instruct at Juvisy. On 14 December 1916, he was promoted to Sergent.
Dhôme was then rotated through schools 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...
, Cazaux
Cazaux
Cazaux is a commune of the Ariège department in southwestern France....
, and Pau. On 2 March 1917, he was stationed at Villacoublay. On 28 April, he reached a frontline unit when he was stationed with Escadrille 81 as a Spad VII pilot. He scored his first win on 12 August 1917. He shared his second triumph with another pilot a week later. After his third victory on 23 September, he was advanced 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 15 November 1917. He downed an enemy plane on both the 11th and 15 December to become an ace, a feat which earned him the Medaille Militaire to add to his Croix de guerre.
Dhôme received his MM on 2 January 1918. Two days later, he shared his sixth victory with Henri Péronneau. Dhôme would reap three more wins during 1918, including a win over an 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....
(which was shared with Armand de Turenne
Armand de Turenne
Capitaine Armand Jean Galliot Joseph de Turenne was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.The Marquis de Turenne was a pre-war cavalryman who transferred to aviation after the war began. In June 1916, he was assigned to Escadrille 48 as a Nieuport pilot. He scored his first...
). On 11 August, Dhôme was awarded the Legion d'honneur. On 24 September, he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant.
Post World War I
Dhôme competed in motor racing during the 1920s and 1930s, driving three- and four-wheeled cyclecars. Scattered records show him campaigning a Lombard in 1922 and 1929, a SandfordSandford
-People:* Baron Sandford* Ben Sandford , skeleton racer from New Zealand* Sandford Fleming , Scottish-Canadian engineer and inventor of Standard Time* Christopher Sandford , Anglo-Irish private press owner...
in 1923, a Morgan
Morgan Motor Company
The Morgan Motor Company is a British motor car manufacturer. The company was founded in 1910 by Harry Frederick Stanley Morgan, generally known as "HFS" and was run by him until he died, aged 77, in 1959. Peter Morgan, son of H.F.S., ran the company until a few years before his death in 2003...
in 1924, and a Darmont-Morgan Blackburne in 1927. His last known entry in racing came in 1931. This was the same year he registered his private plane there in France; on 26 June 1931, he was listed as a part-owner for Potez 36.14 with civil marking FALJY.
He would be elevated within the Legion d'honneur to Officier in December 1932.
Dhôme also served during World War II, commanding Groupe de Chasse 1/55 and rising to the rank of Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
. He would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1945. In May 1947, he reached the top level of the Legion, becoming a 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....
.
Marcel Marc Dhôme retired as a Colonel on 24 January 1955.
External links
- http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/dhome.php contains a list of his aerial victories
- http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?ref=SERP&br=ro&mkt=en-US&dl=en&lp=FR_EN&a=http%3a%2f%2ftricyclecaristes.forumr.net%2fdarmont-f2%2fdarmont-monocylindre-t384.htm contains an excellent photo of Dhôme in his race car
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.