Capitaine (later Colonel) Paul Constant Homo was a French World War Iflying ace noted for his prowess as an aerial observer directing artillery fire, as well as being credited with five aerial victories.[1] During World War II, he served as a Lieutenant colonel. In 1954, he retired at the rank of Colonel.
Paul Constant Homo was born in Arbas, France on 10 April 1892.[2]
He began his military service just prior to the start of World War I, on 11 December 1913. He was an artilleryman, and was promoted through the enlisted ranks in the early months of the war. On 6 April 1915, he was raised into the officer's ranks when he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant.[2]
During 1916, he began flying as an aerial observer with Escadrille C.202, directing French artillery fire on the Germans. As he was armed with a machine gun in the Caudron's rear seat to defend himself, he engaged in combats, shooting down his first German opponent on 29 July 1916. [2]
By mid-1917, he had moved to Escadrille C.225, to continue his artillery direction duties, and to defend his aircraft against attack. On 2 May 1917, he scored a double victory. He received the Legion d'honneur on 11 June 1917. The citation for it read:
"Excellent observer for heavy artillery. Conscientious and skillful. Called upon to regulate firing of long duration on distant objectives, he has acquitted himself remarkably in delicate missions, in spite of enemy planes and guns. During the course of regulating artillery, on 2 May 1917, he was attacked by six German planes, but put them to flight after downing two, returning with his plane riddled by bullets. Three German planes downed to his account. Already cited in orders."
Shortly after that, on 6 July 1917, he was promoted to Lieutenant. On 12 August, he was shipped off to pilot training. He was breveted as a pilot on 11 October 1917. He was then posted to command Escadrille BR.235. A temporary promotion to Capitaine followed on 9 July 1918. His fifth and final aerial victory came three days later.
PostwarEdit
Homo remained in service postwar. On 28 August 1923, he was confirmed in his rank of Capitaine.[2]
World War II and beyondEdit
Homo was called out of the reserves for service in World War II. He reached the rank of Lieutenant colonel on 2 September 1944. He continued in service after the war, being promoted to Colonel in 1950. He retired from military service in 1954. By that time, he had progressed to Commandeur in the Legion d'honneur.[2]
^The Aerodrome website [1] Retrieved 15 August 2020.
^ abcdefOver the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918, p. 178
ReferencesEdit
Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank (1993). Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918 London, UK: Grub Street Publishing. ISBN978-0-948817-54-0.
August 29, 2023
paul, homo, capitaine, later, colonel, paul, constant, homo, french, world, flying, noted, prowess, aerial, observer, directing, artillery, fire, well, being, credited, with, five, aerial, victories, during, world, served, lieutenant, colonel, 1954, retired, r. Capitaine later Colonel Paul Constant Homo was a French World War I flying ace noted for his prowess as an aerial observer directing artillery fire as well as being credited with five aerial victories 1 During World War II he served as a Lieutenant colonel In 1954 he retired at the rank of Colonel Paul Constant HomoBorn 1892 04 10 10 April 1892Arbas France Died20 April 1968 1968 04 20 aged 76 AllegianceFranceService wbr branchFlying serviceYears of service1913 1954RankCapitaine later Colonel UnitEscadrille C 202Escadrille C 225Commands heldEscadrille BR 235Battles warsBattle of Verdun citation needed AwardsLegion d HonneurCroix de Guerre with three palmes and an etoile de vermeilMedal for Military Valor Italy Other workService during World War II Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life and First World War service 1 2 Postwar 1 3 World War II and beyond 2 Sources of information 3 ReferencesBiography EditEarly life and First World War service Edit Paul Constant Homo was born in Arbas France on 10 April 1892 2 He began his military service just prior to the start of World War I on 11 December 1913 He was an artilleryman and was promoted through the enlisted ranks in the early months of the war On 6 April 1915 he was raised into the officer s ranks when he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant 2 During 1916 he began flying as an aerial observer with Escadrille C 202 directing French artillery fire on the Germans As he was armed with a machine gun in the Caudron s rear seat to defend himself he engaged in combats shooting down his first German opponent on 29 July 1916 2 By mid 1917 he had moved to Escadrille C 225 to continue his artillery direction duties and to defend his aircraft against attack On 2 May 1917 he scored a double victory He received the Legion d honneur on 11 June 1917 The citation for it read Excellent observer for heavy artillery Conscientious and skillful Called upon to regulate firing of long duration on distant objectives he has acquitted himself remarkably in delicate missions in spite of enemy planes and guns During the course of regulating artillery on 2 May 1917 he was attacked by six German planes but put them to flight after downing two returning with his plane riddled by bullets Three German planes downed to his account Already cited in orders Shortly after that on 6 July 1917 he was promoted to Lieutenant On 12 August he was shipped off to pilot training He was breveted as a pilot on 11 October 1917 He was then posted to command Escadrille BR 235 A temporary promotion to Capitaine followed on 9 July 1918 His fifth and final aerial victory came three days later Postwar Edit Homo remained in service postwar On 28 August 1923 he was confirmed in his rank of Capitaine 2 World War II and beyond Edit Homo was called out of the reserves for service in World War II He reached the rank of Lieutenant colonel on 2 September 1944 He continued in service after the war being promoted to Colonel in 1950 He retired from military service in 1954 By that time he had progressed to Commandeur in the Legion d honneur 2 Paul Constant Homo died on 20 April 1968 2 Sources of information Edit The Aerodrome website 1 Retrieved 15 August 2020 a b c d e f Over the Front The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services 1914 1918 p 178References EditFranks Norman Bailey Frank 1993 Over the Front The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services 1914 1918 London UK Grub Street Publishing ISBN 978 0 948817 54 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Paul Homo amp oldid 1133322546, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
