Jean-François Jannekeyn
Jean-François Jannekeyn (November 16, 1892 – November 17, 1971) was a French World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories as a bomber pilot, flying a Breguet 14.[1] As a professional officer, he remained in the French air force after World War I and he also competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics as a fencer.[2]
Jean François Jannekeyn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 16, 1892 |
| Died | November 17, 1971 (aged 79) |
| Allegiance | France Vichy France |
| Service/ | French Air Force |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | Escadrille BR.132 |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Legion d'Honneur Croix de Guerre |
| Other work | Minister of Air of Vichy France |
During World War II, he held the rank of general and became air minister in Vichy France in the years 1942 and 1943.
Biography
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I
Jean François Jannekeyn was born in Cambrai, France on 16 November 1892.[1]
Jannekyn served as a cavalryman before his transfer to aviation service during World War I.[3] Transferring in 1917,[1] he served as an aerial observer. On 23 May 1918, he took command of Escadrille BR.132, a bomber squadron. He usually flew with Lieutenant Eugène Weismann as his pilot. Jannekyn gained his first aerial victory on 22 August 1918. Then, on 14 September 1918, Jannekyn and Weismann were one of four Bréguet air crews battling German Fokker D.VIIs. Four Fokkers were shot down, and all French participants were credited with four aerial victories.[3]
In 1939, at the start of World War II, he was a Brigadier general; the following year, he was bumped to Major general. In 1942 and 1943, he served as Minister of Air.[1]
Awards and honors
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"An officer of exceptional merit who has never ceased throughout the war, at first as a volunteer in a cavalry battalion, then in day bombardment aviation, to be an example of courage and self-denial. Five citations." Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation, 27 March 1919[1][3]
He also won the Croix de guerre with two palmes, an etoile de vermeil, an etoile de argent and an etoile de bronze.[3]
Endnotes
- The Aerodrome website Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- Jean Jannekeyn's profile at Sports Reference.com Archived 2011-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, pp. 179 - 180
Reference
- Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank (1993). Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918 London, UK: Grub Street Publishing. ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0.
