Maurice Boyau

Maurice Jean-Paul Boyau (8 May 1888 – 16 September 1918) was a French rugby union player and a leading French ace of the First World War with 35 victories,[1] and one of the most successful balloon busters. Balloon busting was the dangerous act of bringing down enemy observation balloons; these balloons were densely protected by anti-aircraft artillery and patrol flights.[2][3]

Maurice Boyau
Birth nameMaurice Jean-Paul Boyau
Born8 May 1888
Mustapha, Algeria
Died16 September 1918(1918-09-16) (aged 30)
Mars-la-Tour, France
Allegiance France
Service / branchArmy Service Corps, French Air Service
Years of service1914–1918
RankLieutenant
UnitN 77
Battles / warsWorld War I
AwardsMédaille militaire, Légion d'honneur
Other workRugby union player

Born in Mustapha, Algeria, on 8 May 1888, Boyau first served in the 144th Infantry Regiment before the war. Boyau was already known to the public when war began in 1914, having led the French rugby team. He served as an Army Service Corps driver for the first year or so of the conflict, then was accepted for pilot training.[2][4]

Maurice Boyau statue, outside the French stadium named after him.
  1. ^ "Maurice Jean Paul Boyau".
  2. ^ a b "First World War.com - Who's Who - Maurice Boyau". www.firstworldwar.com.
  3. ^ Balloon Busting Aces of World War I. p. 6.
  4. ^ Spad XII/XIII Aces of World War I. p. 63.