Marius Ambrogi
Encyclopedia
Sous Lieutenant Marius Jean Paul Elzeard Ambrogi flew as a fighter pilot in both World Wars. He became a flying ace
during World War I, with fourteen aerial victories; he added another "kill" during World War II. He was one of the leading balloon buster
s, with eleven observation balloons destroyed to his credit.
and Juvisy. He received his pilot's brevet, no. 4477, on 16 September 1916. He completed his training at Avord
, Cazaux
, and Pau, finishing up in February 1917. Afterwards, he received his first posting, to Detachment N507 in March. On 10 April, he was forwarded to Escadrille 90, which was operating on the VIIe Army Front.
He began scoring when he joined Escadrille 90, which was equipped with Nieuport
s. Between 30 October 1917 and 16 May 1918, he scored three victories using a Nieuport, including a shared one with Marie Lecoq De Kerland
. Beginning on 17 May, Ambrogi switched to a Spad
and began a string of eleven balloons destroyed. He teamed with several other balloon busting aces to do this, such as Maurice Bizot
, Jean Andre Pezon
, and Charles J. V. Macé
. Ambrogi's final World War I victory was a double on 18 October 1918.
, to down a Dornier 17 on 18 May 1940 over Cambrai
.
A pilot who never ceases to distinguish himself by his spirit, and the ease with which he brilliantly accomplishes his daily duties. He has downed two adversaries who were seen falling disabled in their own lines. On 6 January 1918, he downed another enemy plane. Three citations.
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
Reconnaissance and pursuit pilot beyond compare. Officer of the highest valour. Recently reported his fifth victory by downing an enemy balloon in flames. Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Six citations.
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, with fourteen aerial victories; he added another "kill" during World War II. He was one of the leading 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....
s, with eleven observation balloons destroyed to his credit.
World War I
Ambrogi joined the French army on 25 September 1914 and originally served in the 2e Infantry Regiment. He transferred from the army to aviation and trained at DijonDijon
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
and Juvisy. He received his pilot's brevet, no. 4477, on 16 September 1916. He completed his training 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, finishing up in February 1917. Afterwards, he received his first posting, to Detachment N507 in March. On 10 April, he was forwarded to Escadrille 90, which was operating on the VIIe Army Front.
He began scoring when he joined Escadrille 90, which was equipped with 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:...
s. Between 30 October 1917 and 16 May 1918, he scored three victories using a Nieuport, including a shared one with Marie Lecoq De Kerland
Marie Lecoq De Kerland
Lieutenant Marie Charles Maurice Lecoq De Kerland was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...
. Beginning on 17 May, Ambrogi switched to 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:...
and began a string of eleven balloons destroyed. He teamed with several other balloon busting aces to do this, such as Maurice Bizot
Maurice Bizot
Adjutant Maurice Bizot was a French World War I flying ace credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:Bizot joined the French military on 8 January 1915. Rated a soldat de 2e classe, he was assigned to 11e Regiment d'Artillerie a pied. He was promoted to enlisted Brigadier on 6 April...
, Jean Andre Pezon
Jean Andre Pezon
Lieutenant Colonel Jean Andre Pezon began his military career during World War I and became a flying ace credited with ten confirmed aerial victories. He served his nation through World War II and into the Korean War.-World War I:...
, and Charles J. V. Macé
Charles J. V. Macé
Adjutant Charles Jean Vincent Macé was a French flying ace during World War I. He shot down eight German observation balloons and four enemy airplanes for confirmed victories....
. Ambrogi's final World War I victory was a double on 18 October 1918.
World War II
Commandant Ambrogi used Bloch 152C-1 No. 231 of GC 1/8, marked with a tricolor stripe denoting acedom, as well as a tail-flash of Walt Disney's DopeySnow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated film based on Snow White, a German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history, as well as the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full...
, to down a Dornier 17 on 18 May 1940 over Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
.
Honors and awards
Médaille MilitaireA pilot who never ceases to distinguish himself by his spirit, and the ease with which he brilliantly accomplishes his daily duties. He has downed two adversaries who were seen falling disabled in their own lines. On 6 January 1918, he downed another enemy plane. Three citations.
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
Reconnaissance and pursuit pilot beyond compare. Officer of the highest valour. Recently reported his fifth victory by downing an enemy balloon in flames. Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Six citations.
Reference
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.
- 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 0948817542, 9780948817540.