Jean Chaput et "d'Angers" unit

Angiolillo · 17 February 2008, 03:07 AM

Pardon my bad knowledge, but at
Jean Chaput - The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I
what is the "d'Angers" unit Chaput belonged to in March and April 1916? What is the complete French name of the unit?

Thanks!

Andrea

gilles · 17 February 2008, 02:33 PM

Hello!

Jean Chaput was a member of N31 in march and april 1916.
For the escadrille d'Angers, I think someone misread escadrille d'Auger; Alfred Auger was N31's commander until being injured 16th april 1916. Later he became SPA3 cigognes CO.

Gilles

Angiolillo · 17 February 2008, 02:42 PM

Great info, thanks a lot! If I may disturb you more, was he Sous Lieutenant at the time? So I read somewhere, but the Osprey about Ballon Busters here on my bookshelf says Lieutenant instead.

And did he fly a Morane Saulnier N at that time? I guess besides a Nieuport?
All the best,

Andrea

gilles · 17 February 2008, 03:13 PM

According to Faswc, he was Sergent. I don't know when he became an officer but I guess it was much later than 1916. Chaput enlisted as Soldat in august 1914 and was promoted to Caporal in march 1915.

We have some infos about the planes he flew in early 1916 (in Pegase n°27):
-A new Nieuport 11 N860 from 13 march to 18 march, damaged during his 2nd victory combat.
-The replacement Nieuport 11 N940 was delivered 8th april.
While waiting his new "Bébé", he flew a tired Morane N , "one of the last 2 in Verdun area"

Gilles

Angiolillo · 17 February 2008, 07:49 PM

Thanks again, you have been of great help!