An aviation mechanic at the start of WWI, Omer Paul Demeuldre was born on March 8, 1892, in Cambrai, a town in the North of France. As an adult, he became a mechanic and worked with his younger brother. In October 1913, he was called up for military service. Because of his mechanical skills, he was placed in the aeronautical group in Epinal. He soon joined the MF 5 squadron there and worked as a truck driver. When the war started, his parents left Lille for Paris for safety. In October 1914, Omer Paul Demeuldre left MF 5 to join a new squadron, MF 35. There, he became Captain Charles Colard’s personal mechanic and flew reconnaissance missions as a gunner. He stayed only a short time before following Colard to MF 63. On September 7, 1915, he scored his first confirmed victory as a gunner with another pilot, Sergeant Teulon, in the Verdun area. Omer Paul Demeuldre later learned to fly and obtained his military pilot’s license on September 23, 1916.
Ace Journey of Omer Paul Demeuldre
Omer Paul Demeuldre completed his pilot training and was commissioned as a sergeant pilot flying the Farman F.40. On May 23, 1917, he scored his second confirmed victory when his gunner shot down an enemy fighter over the Somme. In early September 1917, Omer Paul Demeuldre was moved to Squadron 313 to protect Dunkirk, and on October 14, 1917, he was assigned to Squadron SPA 84. He achieved his third victory on October 30, followed by another one on December 15. He became an ace on December 22 after shooting down a DFW C aircraft, followed by another victory the next day, bringing his score to six by the end of 1917. Omer Paul Demeuldre scored one victory in January 1918 and two in February. On March 8, he scored his tenth victory, which earned him a mention in the Army’s official report on March 20. By then, he had already reached eleven victories. Omer Paul Demeuldre was promoted to second lieutenant and became a media sensation, enjoying the spotlight when he was inducted into the Aero Club of France and received a gold medal.
The Death
Omer Paul Demeuldre achieved his 13th victory on April 12, 1918, during the German spring offensives. But on May 3, 1918, while attacking an enemy two-seater near Montidier, he was shot down. He fell into no man’s land, and his body was never recovered. Omer Paul Demeuldre received the Légion d’honneur after his death, adding to his Médaille militaire and Croix de Guerre, which included seven palmes and two étoiles. The award cited, “An exceptional pursuit pilot whose high morals, initiative, and bravery excite the admiration and emulation of his comrades in combat. He has downed thirteen enemy planes, ten of them in four months. On May 3, 1918, he fell in an all-out battle during an attack at close quarters with an enemy two-seater, leaving behind the highest example of gallantry and young ardor.” In the Aces series, Omer Paul Demeuldre was a curious ace who learned to fly by observing others and kept learning until the end of his life. Read stories about more Aces HERE.
