Pierre Clostermann

Pierre Clostermann (born February 28 1921 in Curitiba Brazil), French pilot (flying ace),author,engineer, politician and sport fisherman.

Related Topics:
February 28 - 1921 - Curitiba - Brazil - French - Flying ace

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He joined the Free French Air Force in Britain in 1942. He scored his first two victories on July 27, 1943, destroying two Focke-Wulf Fw 190 over France, while flying a Supermarine Spitfire in No. 341 Free French Squadron "Alsace". In late 1943 he was assigned to No. 602 Squadron RAF. After a short break from combat from July 1944, in March 1945 Pierre Clostermann returned to front on his own will, flying the new Hawker Tempest Mk V in No. 274 Squadron RAF. On March 24 he was injured in combat. From April 8 he became a leader of No. 3 Squadron RAF, and on April 27, a provisional commander of the whole No. 122 Wing RAF.For his service in the RAF he was awarded the DFC and Bar. He was not awarded the DSO, as wrongly stated in most references (including this entry )---see Clostermann letter cited below.

Related Topics:
Free French Air Force - July 27 - 1943 - Focke-Wulf Fw 190 - Supermarine Spitfire - No. 602 Squadron RAF - 1945 - Hawker Tempest - No. 274 Squadron RAF - No. 3 Squadron RAF - No. 122 Wing RAF

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Clostermann was credited officially with 23 victories (most of them over fighters) and 5 probable. He also destroyed 225 trucks, 72 locomotives, 5 tanks and 2 torpedo boats.Many references credit him with 29 - 33 victories. These probably include his 'ground' kills, not recognised by the RAF (see Clostermann letter cited below). However, recent, more detailed analysis of his combat reports and squadron accounts indicate his true score was around 15-19.Can this be due to the 'Falklands factor'?(see below)

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On 9th June 2004 a road in Longuyen, near which place in Normandy Clostermann had landed his Spitfire sixty years ago on temporary airstrip B11, was named after Clostermann in his presence.

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He wrote a very successful book The Big Show (Le Grand Cirque) on his experiences in the war.Innumerable people of discernment who have read this book acknowledge the truth of William Faulkner's comment that this is the finest aviation book to come out of the 1939-45 War.The book was reprinted in both paperback and hardcover editions in 2004. The other, somewhat little known aviation book by Clostermann is Flames in the Sky(Feu en Ciel), an astonishing collection of heroic air combat exploits from both Allied and Axis sides. Some stories have proved to be inaccurate, but as a piece of literature this little book too is a masterpiece.

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After the war he continued his career as an engineer, participating in the creation of Reims-Aviation, acting as a representative for Cessna and working for Renault.

Related Topics:
Reims-Aviation - Cessna - Renault

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He was a deputy between 1946 and 1969.

Related Topics:
1946 - 1969

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During the Falklands War between Argentina and U.K. Clostermann apparently praised Argentine pilots for their courage, and drew down on himself much Anglo-Saxon antipathy. His reasoned rejoinder is available in koti.mbnet.fi/~jjuvonen/pilots_eng/cloclo_letter_eng.html.

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Clostermann is also a sport fisherman of international repute.

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