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Commander Maurice ARNOUX

Biography

Maurice ARNOUX was born on September 7, 1895 in Montrouge.

At the declaration of the First World War, he is 19 years old and commits himself. Maurice ARNOUX is assigned to the 2nd aviation group in Bron, near Lyon. He will be in Serbia and will return to Lyon in May 1916. He then passes his pilot's license, and after an internship in Avord, he joins the front of Verdun as "Infantry Pilot". He is in charge of supporting the ground troops he must fly over at very low altitude.

In April 1917 he was transferred to the Fighter Squadron No. 49 and flew to Nieuport Monoplace. He will end the war with a record of 5 wins.

After the war, he became an industrialist in Montrouge, but kept all his interest in aviation. He founded the Montrouge Aeroclub, and participated in many competitions very popular in the interwar period.

He will become famous by winning the cuts Deutsch de la Meurthe and Zenith. After having beaten numerous records on FARMAN Aircraft, it is at the controls of the Caudron-Renault Rafale that it will be definitively illustrated and will be recognized worldwide.

In September 1939, then aged 44, he asked to join a Fighting unit, refusing any other position less exposed. He is assigned to GC III / 7 as Deputy Commander. His greatest fear was to be transferred to some headquarters, and he refused a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, for fear of not being able to fly ...

Commander ARNOUX was shot and wounded for the first time on May 10, 1940. He resumed the fight, and was twice called to the command of the Army.
His ardor was in no way affected, he struck the enemy with terrible blows, and had the honor of being twice summoned to the command of the army. His last citation, the eleventh was awarded posthumously

On June 6, 1940, Commander ARNOUX attacks a German fighter and the fight, observed from the ground by many witnesses, is a fierce fight. Unfortunately, six more Messerschmitt BF109 mate in combat, and the fight becomes uneven. The French fighter, particularly hit the empennage, is distraught. Commander ARNOUX, undoubtedly seriously injured, attempts a forced landing, with the train out. His Morane 406 will crush himself in a field, and catch fire Maurice ARNOUX will receive his eleventh posthumous citation ...

Some feats of arm

On May 10, 1940, Commander ARNOUX and two other pilots took off at 5.30 am to intercept a Heinkel He111. Commander ARNOUX managed to join him and make two passes from behind. The German Bomber tries to escape, and his rear gunner manages to hit the plane of the French pilot. He abandons the fight, and is forced to land in Campaign, where his Morane-Saulnier MS406 turns around. Commander ARNOUX will be slightly hurt.

On June 6, 1940, during a protection mission of a Group of Breguet 693 and Leo 451, Commander ARNOUX is engaged with a Messerschmitt BF109. The German pilot is rather skilled, and the fight lasts for almost 10 minutes. On the ground, many spectators watch the fight. After a candle, Commander ARNOUX seems to take over, when six other German fighters intervene. The Morane-saulnier MS406, affected in particular with the empennage, is distraught. Commander ARNOUX, outgoing train, tries to land, but the plane is difficult to control and the pilot seems injured. As he approaches the ground, the aircraft strikes a hill, and despite attempts by the pilot to straighten, the plane flips and crashes to the ground, where it catches fire instantly: Commander ARNOUX is killed on the ground. stroke.