Many aviators in WWI started their careers in the land-based armies, later joined air forces as pilots, and rose to become flying aces. One such ace was Albert Louis Deullin. Born on August 24, 1890, in Épernay, France, he was part of the infantry when WWI started and was promoted to second lieutenant in December 1914. He transferred to flying in April 1915 and completed his pilot’s training in June. He was initially assigned to fly a two-seater Maurice Farman reconnaissance aircraft in MF62 Squadron. Flying in this unit, he scored his first victory on February 10, 1916, when he, along with his observer, shot down a German EA aircraft. After that, he was transferred to N3 Squadron to fly a Nieuport fighter plane. In this unit, he shot down an EA and a Fokker E in March, after which he was injured and had to stay away from the front for 15 days.
Ace Journey of Albert Louis Deullin
After returning to duty, Albert Louis Deullin shot down an EA aircraft on April 30, 1916, to claim his fourth victory. He destroyed a balloon on June 24 to reach five official victories and become an ace. In June 1916, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, with a citation, “Pilot with exceptional initiative and sang-froid, constantly seeking combat with enemy aircraft. Wounded on April 2, 1916, during the course of aerial combat, he returned to his Escadrille before being completely rehabilitated, and since his return, he has had twelve auspicious combats. On April 30, 1916, he attacked point-blank an enemy plane and downed it in front of our trenches. Already cited twice in army orders.” He further shot down an aircraft in August before getting a new SPAD VII in September. Flying the new aircraft, he destroyed two aerial targets each in September and November, ending his 1916 with a total of 10 victories. Albert Louis Deullin claimed another victory in February 1917, and after that, he was transferred to the Spa 73 squadron. By the end of 1917, he had scored eight more victories, bringing his total to 19. In February 1918, he was promoted to lead the Group de Combat 19, and on May 19, 1918, he shot down an Albatros aircraft, his final and 20th victory.
Postwar Life and Death
Albert Louis Deullin was promoted to Officier de la Légion d’Honneur on June 23, 1918, with a citation, “Commander of a Groupe de Combat, marvelous pursuit pilot, elite officer and model of the highest military virtues of bravery, character, and intelligence that have become legendary in French aviation. Wounded three times in aerial combat, he always returns to his place in the battle before being completely healed. Has admirable qualities of a fighter along with rare qualities of leadership. By his daily example and ceaseless work, in three months, he has forged his Groupe de Combat into an elite unit. During the first days of the German offensive, he executed in the rain and close to the ground an audacious reconnaissance which was valuable to the intelligence officer. He recently downed his 20th enemy plane.” Among all his 20 victories, fourteen were EA aircraft, two were Albatros, and one each was Pfalz D.III, Fokker E, a two-seater, and a balloon. After WWI, Albert Louis Deullin became a leader in French commercial aviation. He served as the chief pilot for the Franco-Roumaine aerial company, which hired many veterans of the former Group de Combat 19. The company flew old Salmson 2A2 planes from military surplus and started routes from Paris to cities in Eastern Europe, including Istanbul. In 1923, the company used early commercial aircraft such as the Caudron C.61. Albert Deullin died in a flying accident at Villacoublay on May 29, 1923, while testing a new aircraft prototype. In the Aces series, Albert Louis Deullin stands as a lover of aviation who showed bravery in WWI to become an ace and remained an active part of the aviation world after the war. Read stories about more Aces HERE.
