| Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard | |
| Birth Date: | 28 September 1883 |
| Death Date: | 7 September 1922 |
| Birth Place: | Rouen, France |
| Death Place: | Bodio |
| Allegiance: | France |
| Branch: | Aviation |
| Rank: | Capitaine |
| Unit: | Escadrille 26, Escadrille 82, Escadrille 22 |
| Awards: | Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre |
Capitaine Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.[1]
Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard was born at Rouen, France on 28 September 1883.[2]
Although it is not known just when he began his mandatory military service, he was serving as a Brigadier by 15 October 1908. After further promotions in the enlisted ranks, on 16 May 1910, he was chosen to be an Aspirant. This led to officer's training, and promotion to Sous lieutenant. He was serving in an infantry regiment when World War I began. On 1 October 1915, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He was sent to pilot's training on 6 January 1916. He graduated with his Military Pilot's Brevet on 17 May. After advanced training, he was assigned to Escadrille 26 on 7 August 1916.[2]
On 25 January 1917, he was transferred to command Escadrille 82. Between 18 March and 3 May, he shot down four German airplanes. On 13 May, he was promoted to Capitaine, and on the 22nd he was inducted into the Legion d'honneur. He shot down two more enemy airplanes, as well as an observation balloon during 1918. He ended World War I with a Croix de Guerre with six palms to go with his Legion of Honor.[2] He died 1922 in an Air meeting starting from Zurich. After two steps of the "circuit des Alpes", his Spad crashed in a wood near Bodio, Switzerland, where he was found dead.[3]
He received the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre for his valor. The award citation of his Légion d'honneur mentions :
"An energetic officer, audacious and skillful pilot. In less than a month, by his courage and combat techniques, and by the example he gives each day to everyone, he made a newly formed young escadrille into a highly efficient unit. On 3 May 1917, he downed his third enemy plane in our lines. Cited twice in orders.
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 March 1917 | German two-seater | Destroyed | west of Altkirch | ||
| 2 | 1 May 1917 | EA | Destroyed | |||
| 3 | 3 May 1917 | EA | Destroyed | Moosch | Victory shared with François de Boigne | |
| 4 | 5 May 1917 | EA | Destroyed | |||
| 5 | 18 March 1918 | EA | Destroyed | Asiago | ||
| 6 | 14 June 1918 | Fokker Dr.I | Destroyed | Cernay-les-Reims, France | ||
| 7 | 25 August 1918 | Balloon | Destroyed | Concevreux, France | ||