Raoul Echard

Capitaine Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.

Biography

Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard was born at Rouen, France on 28 September 1888.

Although it is not known just when he began his mandatory military service, he was serving as a Brigadier by 15 October 1908. After further promotions in the enlisted ranks, on 16 May 1910, he was chosen to be an Aspirant. This led to officer's training, and promotion to Sous lieutenant. He was serving in an infantry regiment when World War I began. On 1 October 1915, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He was sent to pilot's training on 6 January 1916. He graduated with his Military Pilot's Brevet on 17 May. After advanced training, he was assigned to Escadrille 26 on 7 August 1916.

Honors and awards He received the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre for his valor. The award citation of his Légion d'honneur mentions :

During World War I, the officer was credited with transforming a newly formed escadrille into a combat unit, within a month of its establishment. On 3 May 1917, he downed his third enemy plane in our lines. Cited twice in orders.

List of aerial victories See also Aerial victory standards of World War I No.Date/timeAircraftFoeResultLocationNotes 1 18 March 1917 German two-seater Destroyed west of Altkirch 2 1 May 1917 EA Destroyed 3 3 May 1917 EA Destroyed Moosch Victory shared with François de Boigne 4 5 May 1917 EA Destroyed 5 18 March 1918 EA Destroyed Asiago 6 14 June 1918 Fokker Dr.I Destroyed Cernay-les-Reims, France 7 25 August 1918 Balloon Destroyed Concevreux, France

Sources of information