Jean Navarre
France’s Sentinel of Verdun and the first French fighter pilots

Aeronaut Books

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

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Jean Navarre was a self-confident individual who didn’t think much of authority.

His undisciplined nature got him into plenty of trouble but it didn’t stop him from becoming one of France’s first WWI aviation heroes. He was a courageous and skilful pilot who became a respected ace with 12 confirmed victories.

This book is his story, woven around the exploits of other French flyers during the early years of World War One. As a consequence, we also get to learn about the careers of other aviators such as Boillot, Gilbert, Garros, Guynemer, and Nungesser, amongst others.

Between the soft card covers are 100 A4 sized pages.

The text is very entertaining and the author’s enthusiasm for the subject is obvious. The narrative becomes quite exuberant at times with the participants appearing to take on superhuman status but you soon get used to the writer’s style.

There are plenty of interesting photographs scattered throughout the book. In fact there are over 120 images representing the pilots and the machines they flew. Most are reproduced two to a page with a few full size examples thrown in for good measure.

Complimenting these accounts is some superb artwork from the desk of Ronny Bar. There are 8 pages of profiles covering all the usual suspects. These include the Morane Saulnier Parasol, and N, Nieuport 11, and 16, and even a Voisin III.

To ensure that these are portrayed as accurately as possible, the input of Alan Toelle was garnered for this section. Additional information and photographs for the book came courtesy of Navarre’s nephew.

There’s not much in the English language about these pilots compared to their German counterparts so it is very refreshing to come across a publication such as this.

If you have any interest in the exploits of these earlier aviators, then this book will be a welcome addition to your library.

Review Sample Compliments of Aviaeology

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2011 by Rob Baumgartner
This Page Created on 9 June, 2011
Last updated 10 June, 2011

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