Suzanne Jannin

Suzanne Henriette Jannin, also Suzanne Henriette Delvoye, (1912–1982) was a French dentist, a resistance fighter in World War II, and an air force pilot in Indochina. After receiving her military pilot's licence in 1948, she gave up dentistry to devote herself to aviation. From 1951, she undertook French Air Force reconnaissance missions in the Far East until she returned to France in 1954. In 1957, she once again took up dentistry opening a practice in Paris.

Early life Born in Belleville-sur-Meuse on 28 July 1912, In May 1939, she began to train as a pilot at Tomblaine on a Potez 43.

French resistance and World War II

During German occupation, she became an active participant in the French resistance. As a member of the Meuse department's F.F.I., Region C, under Colonel Grandval, she lodged British and American parachutists, escorting them from Verdun to the Swiss border. She also provided medical services, transmitted news reports, and transported documents, weapons and munitions. She was the second woman to become a pilot in the Air Force and the first in Indochina.

Suzanne Jannin died in 1982. Her funeral was held on 10 July 1982 at Mons-en-Barœul, a suburb of Lille.

In September 2019, a plaque in memory of "Suzanne Jannin Pilote en Indochine" was unveiled by Le Souvenir Français at Belleville-sur-Meuse, her birthplace. The square on which the plaque stands was ceremoniously named "Square Suzanne Jannin" by the mayor, Yves Peltier.

Awards Jannin received the following awards:

Knight of the Legion of Honour Officer of the National Order of Merit Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures Resistance Medal Aeronautical Medal Colonial Medal for Indochina Military Health Service honour medal Grande medaille d'or de l'Aéroclub de France