François Marie Noel Battesti

Name:

Country:

France

Rank:

Lieutenant

Service:

French Air Service

Units:

BL3, BL18; C10; N73

Victories:

Born:

04 May 1890

Place of Birth:

Azanna (Corsica)

Died:

24 August 1977

Place of Death:

Corsica

Battesti enlisted in the army in 1908. After five years in the infantry, he reenlisted for an additional year. In January 1914, he transferred to the French Air Service, obtaining his Pilot's Brevet on 3 April. By the summer of 1916, Battesti had been wounded on three separate occasions. All of his victories were scored while serving with N73 as a pursuit pilot.

Médaille Militaire

"Very good pilot filled with endurance, spirit and zeal. He has executed many reconnaissances under enemy artillery fire; has accomplished his obligations with skill and noble humor highly earned during an accident in a plane in the early days of the war that left him crippled." Médaille Militaire citation

Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur

"Magnificent officer with audacity and initiative. He distinguished himself as a pilot for an Army Corps, executing over the German lines, numerous spottings of long range guns and by missions at low altitude despite the presence of enemy planes. Transferred to pursuit aviation at his request. Has had daily hard combats and has given proof of the highest offensive spirit. Has downed several enemy aircraft which have crashed in their lines, especially on 4 July and 12 November 1917. Three wounds, three citations." Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	24 Apr 1917	1800	N73		EA	Ste Croix
2	04 Jul 1917	1600	N73		EA	Berry-au-Bac
3	12 Nov 1917		N73		EA	Foret de Houthulst
4	22 May 1918		N73		EA	Birches
5	12 Jun 1918		N73		EA
6	16 Jul 1918		N73		EA ¹
7	29 Oct 1918		N73		EA	N of Laon

1	Shared with S/Lt Claude Fontaine

Books

Over the Front: by Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey / Hardcover / Grub Street the Basement (May 1992)

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