Antoine Paillard
Born in Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné[2] in 1897, sous Lieutenant Antoine Joseph Henri Louis Paillard was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories [3] and was awarded three decorations including the Legion of Honor.[4]
Antoine Joseph Henri Louis Paillard  | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1897 | 
| Died | 15 June 1931 (aged 33)[1] | 
| Allegiance | France | 
| Service/ | Flying service | 
| Rank | Sous lieutenant | 
| Unit | Escadrille BR132 | 
| Awards | Legion d'honneur Médaille militaire Croix de Guerre  | 
Biography
    
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I
Antoine Joseph Henri Louis Paillard was born in Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné[2] on 23 August 1897.[5]
Paillard served as a Breguet bomber pilot in Escadrille BR.132. On 1 May 1918, he shot down a German airplane for his first victory. Then, on 14 September 1918, Paillard was one of four French pilots combating four German Fokker D.VIIs, along with Jean-François Jannekeyn. The four French bomber aircrews managed to shoot down all four German fighters; all French participants were credited with four victories each. Paillard was awarded the Medaille Militaire for his valor,[6] as well as the Croix de Guerre.[5]
His daughter Gisele Paillard was born on 23 May 1920.
Sources of information
    
- French website concerning Legion of Honor Retrieved 25 August 2020.
 - French website on Escadrille 111 Retrieved 25 August 2020
 - The Aerodrome website Retrieved 25 August 2020
 - French website concerning Legion of Honor Retrieved 25 August 2020
 - The Aerodrome website on Paillard Retrieved 26 August 2020
 - The Aerodrome website for the MM Retrieved 26 August 2020
 
References
    
- 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.