Michel Coiffard

Michel Coiffard , known as " the man with the 34 victoires". (July 16th 1892 with Nantes - October 29th 1918 with Bergnicourt (the Ardennes) is one of the ace of the First World War, of which it is absolutely necessary to evoke qualities of pilot of character and born leader.

In spite of a rather short career within the air weapon, where it made its beginnings only the June 28th 1917, this Nantes of origin does not have of them less one completely remarkable prize list, which it generally obtains, against the many German observation balloons, which overhang the battle fields and which guide the fire of the German artillery batteries. To destroy these objectives is thus vital, but extremely difficult, because the Drachen are strongly protected by the DCA.

Coiffard did not hesitate however to be made of it a speciality, while not renonçant to cut down other aircraft, which could be presented to its range. As of the beginning of the hostilities it engages in the Infantry where it is affected initially with the 13th Battalion of Hunters to Feet. Man of great courage it is several times wounded and receives several quotations. he is reformed of the Infantry, after a passage in Artillery. Situation which it does not accept. Using of stratagems, to continue to fight, he asks to pass in Aviation, which is granted to him, the January 4th 1917. The April 19th, Coiffard is patented pilot and joined the flotilla NR 154, the June 28th 1917. Its beginnings of fighter pilot are hard, but very quickly, success is with go. The September 5th 1917, it cuts down its first adversary in Catelet, close to Saint Quentin. It was about an Albatross.

The November 19th, it becomes second lieutenant and consequently starts to accumulate successes. The January 3rd 1918, in reconnaissance mission with the top of saint Quentin, it cuts down an unfavourable hunter and returns to be posed in the French lines in planed flight, driving broken down. The February 2nd, new victory and our man receives the Légion of honor, after some victories only. The June 30th, the NR 154 is based close to Rheims and Coiffard collaborates in the many destruction Drachen and obtains finally the title of As (5 approved victories). In July 1918, Coiffard is from now on the commander of the flotilla NR 154, renamed SPA 154, since which was equipped with the new SPAD of hunting, to replace Nieuports. he baptizes his plane " Valentine' It is a brilliant commander and its flotilla accumulates the victories, mainly over the airships of the adversary. Coiffard celebrates its twenty-third victory the August 11th, by cutting down in collaboration with Ehrlich a new observation balloon and it does not stop there.

But shortly after its lucky star seems to give up it. Indeed, the September 15th 1918, our As sinks on a balloon located at Brimont but fails, lack to be made cut down by the DCA. The final tragedy will occur Monday October 28th 1918. This day, the SPA 154 is on mission of protection of a reconnaissance aircraft, when a patrol frightening Fokker D.VII, bars the passage to him. Coiffard gives the signal of the attack to its men, but only its Condemine team-member saw it. Two French is consequently isolated from the remainder of the SPA 154 and is inserted in the unfavourable lines. Fighting with the energy of despair, they manage however to destroy each one an enemy apparatus; but in this terrible fray, the leader of the SPA 154 is mortally touched by ball. In spite of its state, he manages to be posed impeccably in the friendly lines. He dies in the ambulance N° 5 of the 1st Body of Colonial in Bergnicourt (the Ardennes). Michel Coiffard had just been 26 years old and its prize list then rose with 26 Drachen shot down in collaboration (including 2 only) with its team-members and 8 planes, including 6, shot down by him only. It is buried with the necropolis main road of Sommepy-Tahure (the Marne); fall N° 1027.

Military decoration on May 29th, 1915; Chavalier of the Legion of honor in March 1918. Sources: Registry office, birth, death.