Pierre Clostermann
Pierre-Henri Clostermann | |
|---|---|
Pierre Clostermann, c. 1945. | |
| Born | 28 February 1921 Curitiba, Brazil |
| Died | 22 March 2006 (aged 85) Montesquieu-des-Albères, France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom France |
| Service | Royal Air Force French Air and Space Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1945, 1956–1957 |
| Rank | Wing Commander (RAF) Lieutenant (France) |
| Unit | No. 341 Squadron RAF No. 602 Squadron RAF No. 274 Squadron RAF No. 56 Squadron RAF No. 3 Squadron RAF |
| Battles / wars | World War Two Algerian War |
| Awards | See List |
| Other work | Author, engineer and politician. |
| Website | pierre.clostermann.org |
Pierre-Henri Clostermann DSO, DFC & Bar (28 February 1921 – 22 March 2006) was a World War II French ace fighter pilot.
During the conflict he has been claimed to have achieved 33 air-to-air combat victories, earning the accolade "France's First Fighter" from General Charles de Gaulle. His wartime memoir, The Big Show (Le Grand Cirque) became a notable bestseller. After the war, he worked as an engineer and was the youngest Member of France's Parliament.