Marcel Nogues
Encyclopedia
Sous Lieutenant Marcel Joseph Maurice Nogues was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was an ace over enemy observation balloons, as well as enemy airplanes.
, Ambrieu, Avord
, Cazau, and Pau. On 26 September 1916, he was posted to Escadrille N12 (the 'N' representing Nieuport
). On 4 March 1917, he shared a victory with Joseph de Sevin. He scored a second time on 12 April. The next day, Nogues was shot down, probably by Albert Dossenbach
of Jasta 36, and fell into the enemy's hands. It did not take him long to escape and rejoin his squadron, as he was promoted from Maréchal-des-logis to Adjutant
on 20 July 1917 and wounded by shrapnel on 13 August 1917.
Upon recovery, he was reassigned to Escadrille Spa 57 as a Spad
pilot on 12 April 1918. Nogues was credited with downing an Albatros
over Assainvillers
on 2 May 1918. He steadily accumulated victories through May and June, mostly solo, though he shared one with Jean Albert Fraissinet. On 4 July, for his ninth win, he shot down an enemy observation balloon, sharing the win with Andre Petit-Delchet
; this victory brought him the Legion d'Honneur. On 26 September 1918, Nogues became a balloon buster
ace, downing his fifth gasbag for his thirteenth victory.
On 3 October 1919, while playing rugby, Marcel Nogues died from a blow to the larynx.
"Temporary Sous Lieutenant: pilot of exceptional strength and admirable bravery. He recently downed two enemy planes in flames, reporting therewith his 6th and 7th victories. One wound, Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Five 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...
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was an ace over enemy observation balloons, as well as enemy airplanes.
World War I service
Nogues joined the artillery on 4 September 1914. After volunteering for pilot's training, he was detached from the artillery to aviation on 24 January 1916. He gained his Military Pilot's Brevet, No. 3486, on 20 May 1916. He then underwent a series of advanced training assignments, 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....
, Ambrieu, 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...
, Cazau, and Pau. On 26 September 1916, he was posted to Escadrille N12 (the 'N' representing 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:...
). On 4 March 1917, he shared a victory with Joseph de Sevin. He scored a second time on 12 April. The next day, Nogues was shot down, probably by Albert Dossenbach
Albert Dossenbach
Leutnant Albert Dossenbach was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.-Early service:Dossenbach was a medical student when the war began. He joined the army's Kaiser Wilhelm Fusilier Regiment No. 90 as a one year volunteer on 1 April 1914. Within his first month of his service,...
of Jasta 36, and fell into the enemy's hands. It did not take him long to escape and rejoin his squadron, as he was promoted from Maréchal-des-logis to Adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
on 20 July 1917 and wounded by shrapnel on 13 August 1917.
Upon recovery, he was reassigned to Escadrille Spa 57 as 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:...
pilot on 12 April 1918. Nogues was credited with downing an Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
over Assainvillers
Assainvillers
Assainvillers is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France....
on 2 May 1918. He steadily accumulated victories through May and June, mostly solo, though he shared one with Jean Albert Fraissinet. On 4 July, for his ninth win, he shot down an enemy observation balloon, sharing the win with Andre Petit-Delchet
Andre Petit-Delchet
Adjutant Andre Marie Paul Petit-Delchet was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...
; this victory brought him the Legion d'Honneur. On 26 September 1918, Nogues became a 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....
ace, downing his fifth gasbag for his thirteenth victory.
Postwar
As the war ended, Nogues was transferred to Escadrille 172. Along with his other decorations, he had earned the Croix de Guerre with a minimum of five palmes.On 3 October 1919, while playing rugby, Marcel Nogues died from a blow to the larynx.
Honors and awards
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur"Temporary Sous Lieutenant: pilot of exceptional strength and admirable bravery. He recently downed two enemy planes in flames, reporting therewith his 6th and 7th victories. One wound, Médaille Militaire for feats of war. Five citations."
Reference
- 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 0-948817-54-2, 9780948817540.