HSU Marcel Albert RIP

[ph3s]

Marcel Albert, who died on August 23 aged 92, was France's second highest scoring fighter ace of the Second World War, recording virtually all of his victories on the Eastern Front while flying Soviet aircraft.

Marcel Albert - Telegraph

[Henry Sakaida]

I learned today that WWII French fighter ace MARCEL ALBERT, passed away.
Here is the obit in the newspaper:

Marcel Albert, 92, a decorated World War II flying ace hailed as a hero of the French Normandie-Niemen squadron based in the Soviet Union, died of complications from cancer Aug. 23 in Harlingen, Texas, said French officials and Albert's nephew, Jean Mavinger.

The office of France's veterans affairs minister, Hubert Falco, expressed condolences to Albert's former comrades-in-arms and "all the Russians who consider him a great hero." In 1944, Albert became one of four French pilots named a Hero of the Soviet Union.

Albert was born in Paris on Nov. 25, 1917. He flew 199 missions and shot down 24 German planes for the Normandie-Niemen fighter unit, according to France's Order of the Liberation, which was founded by Gen. Charles de Gaulle to assist the Soviet Union during World War II.

In 2009, Albert was named a grand officer in the French Order of the Legion of Honor.

The Normandie-Nieman Squdron was held in the highest regard amongst Soviet pilots from the GPW.

[deValcourt]

Thanks Henry for this very interesting piece of history that I never knew about.:thumbsup

Phillip

[Commissar]

That is very interesting info!
I would love to read more on the subject. I wonder if any other countries sent troops to help the Soviets.

[ph3s]

That is very interesting info!
I would love to read more on the subject. I wonder if any other countries sent troops to help the Soviets.

Try to google "Normandie-Niemen" , they weren't sent, French pilots were volunteers :thumbsup

[Christophe]

And you can also have a look at this old thread...

http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/sovie...tures.html

Ch.