I have found, over the years, references to the so-called Paris Air Guard which was supposedly a civilian-staffed organisation set up early in WWI to provide early warning of German Air Attacks on Paris. Helene Dutrieu supposedly flew with this unit. I was always very dubious of this connection, but I have now found several contemporary references to her flights with this organisation.
Now, I find a reference in Cuneo, "Winged Mars, Volume II", to the "Director of the Air Service of the Entrenched Camp of Paris". Although no planes were assigned, and few pilots, apparently this organisation made use of 11 aircraft which had been left at the aviation school at St. Cyr after the best ones had been sent to the escadrilles in the field. This organisation was apparently staffed with civilian volunteer pilots. About September 3rd, 1914, General Gallieni (commandant of Paris) apparently wrote to General Joffre: "The aviators at the disposal of the Army of Paris are civilians...."
Does anyone have any more information on this early period, before the assignment of formal escadrilles to the defense of Paris? Is there a list of these volunteer civilian pilots available? Is there any good reference to the actual flying activities of this organisation?
Thanks for any input.
Bonjour. Je cherche d'information sur "la Garde Aerienne de Paris", une organisation creé dans la Première Guerre Mondiale (Aout 1914) pour donner notification des attaques aeriènnes Allemandes sur la ville de Paris. Tous les pilotes seront civiles, et les avions sont onze de l'école à St. Cyr. Est-ce-qu'il existent des documents ou des references? Merci. Doc
