Victory
11
Biography
Gabriel Gauthier graduated from the Air Force School in 1938 with the rank of second lieutenant. He ended his career in December 1972 with the rank of Air Force General and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Between these two dates, some 6,000 flight hours, including 500 wartime, 13 citations as well as 11 confirmed and 3 probable victories.Son of a surgeon from Lyon, born September 12, 1916, Gabriel Gauthier joined the G.C. hunting in Romilly.
When the "phony war" begins, he is on the go with his group, based in Luxeuil. On November 22, on patrol with three other Moranes, he intercepted and shot down a Do.17P of 4.(F)/121 above Mooswald. A month later, he was put out of action following an engagement with Messerschmitts; the French campaign will take place without him. On December 21, 1939, twelve Moranes from 11/7 escorted a Potez 63.11 in the Karlsruhe-Aix-la-Chapelle region. They are attacked by ten Bf. 109E of I./JG 54. Isolated in the fray, Gauthier had problems with two Bf.109s. He sticks in the tail of the first he "peppers" within 50 meters. Its pilot, Hauptmann Paulisch, Kapitân of 2./JG 54, injured in the legs, had to parachute. Meanwhile, the Gruppenkommandeur, Major von Cramon-Traubadel slipped behind the Morane and opened fire. Gauthier, seriously injured in the head, is bleeding profusely. He loses consciousness and only regains his senses a hundred meters above the ground. He manages to straighten his aircraft and lands in the open countryside near Artzenheim.
For him the war is over and he only finds 11/7 in Bizerte a year later.
His unit flies on D.520 and settles in a long period of inactivity. Gauthier was appointed lieutenant in September 1940. Then, the Allies landed in November 1942 and North Africa returned to the bosom of the Allies. They rearmed the French air force. In March, the 11/7, under the orders of Commander Adam, received its first Spitfire V. Gauthier was officially appointed commander of the squadron on March 23, 1943. On September 17, 1943, the 11/7 landed in Ajaccio to participate in the liberation of Corsica. Living conditions are harsh, but the Germans are losing ground. On September 30, all the Spits took off on alert around 5:00 p.m. Enemy aircraft were reported bombarding the port of Ajaccio. They are ten Do.217E and a Ju.88 from Il./KG 100, based in Istres. The French claim four sure Do.217s and one probable. Gabriel Gauthier returns with a confirmed victory.
Corsica, liberated on 7/11, takes part in the air cover of the Mediterranean; in August 1944, he took an active part in the landings in Provence. On September 3, the pilots tread the land of France. The group is stationed at Le Vallon.
On September 15, hit by flak during a mission to the around Dijon, Gabriel Gauthier had to land under train near Arcey, in the enemy lines. The landing is bumpy. The wings detach and the cabin catches fire. The pilot miraculously escaped:not having attached his harness, he was ejected from the cabin. A little "stunned", he is brought back to reality by the German bullets. He hides in a nearby wood and is picked up by the F.F.I. He manages to get to Switzerland and joins his group in December. Tough battles still await the pilots of 7/11. In particular on December 24, 1944, when twelve Spitfires led by Gauthier collided near Bondorf with around thirty Bf. 1 09G of IV./JG 53 and Fw.190. The fight is tough and four Germans go to the mat. Gauthier returns with two more 109s, including one shared with two of his wingers.
April 14, 1945 saw the last fight of G.C. 11/7. Gauthier, supported by four other teammates, claims a confirmed 109 above Erbach.
The war is over. Gabriel Gauthier leaves for an internship in the United States. Commander in 1946, he passed in turn to the staff, to the 31 office, to the 6, squadron in Rabat, to the school of Meknes. In March 1950, he commanded the 21 squadron of Dijon and set up the Patrouille de France. Recalled in 1956, he led the 31st squadron during the Suez operations. General in December 1960, he joined General de Gaulle's private staff. On December 13, 1969, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He retired from aircrew in December 1972.