Pierre-Henri Clostermann – French RAF Fighter Ace

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Pierre-Henri Clostermann DSO, DFC & Bar. Pierre-Henri Clostermann (28 February 1921, Curitiba, Brazil – 22 March 2006, Montesquieu-des-Albères, France) was a French fighter ace of the Second World War, credited with between 15–33 aerial victories, depending on the source. Flying with the RAF’s Spitfire and Tempest squadrons, he became one of the most recognized Allied fighter pilots of the war, famously known as “France’s First Fighter” by Charles de Gaulle. His wartime memoir, Le Grand Cirque (The Big Show), remains one of the most celebrated aviation books of the conflict.

Awards and Decorations

• Grand Croix de la Légion d’Honneur (France)

• Compagnon de l’Ordre de la Libération – 21 January 1946

• Médaille Militaire

• Croix de Guerre 1939–45 with 27 citations (17 palms, 2 stars)

• Croix de la Valeur Militaire with 2 citations

• Médaille de la Résistance with rosette

• Médaille de l’Aéronautique

• Distinguished Service Order (DSO) – United Kingdom

• Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar (DFC & Bar) – United Kingdom

• Distinguished Service Cross (US Army) – United States

• Croix de Guerre (Belgium)

• Numerous foreign decorations from Morocco, Tunisia, Brazil, Denmark, and the Vatican

Career Highlights

• Early Aviation Training: Learned to fly in Brazil at 16, and later studied aeronautics in San Diego, USA, graduating as an aeronautical engineer and licensed pilot before joining the Free French in 1942.

• RAF Service: Served in No. 341 (Alsace) Squadron and later No. 602 Squadron RAF, flying Spitfires on offensive sweeps, bomber escorts, and Normandy landings air cover.

• First Victories: Scored his first aerial victories on 27 July 1943, destroying two Fw 190s over France.

• Tempest Ace: In December 1944 joined No. 274 Squadron RAF, later commanding A Flight, No. 3 Squadron RAF in the Hawker Tempest V “Le Grand Charles”, where he flew “rat scramble” missions against Me 262 jet fighters and led devastating ground-attack sorties.

• Combat Record: Flew 432 sorties, claiming 15–33 aerial victories, 225 motor vehicles, 72 locomotives, 5 tanks, and 2 E-boats destroyed.

• Author: Published Le Grand Cirque (The Big Show) in 1951, which became one of the most successful aviation memoirs of all time, praised by William Faulkner as “the finest aviation book to come out of World War II.”

• Postwar Career: Engineer at Renault and Reims Aviation, later elected youngest Member of the French Parliament (Assemblée Nationale). Re-enlisted briefly during the Algerian War (1956–57) as a ground-attack pilot.

• Later Controversy: In 1982, praised Argentine pilots’ bravery during the Falklands War, which drew criticism in Britain. In France, he was a noted critic of the 1991 Gulf War.

Item Details

• Authentic postwar signature of Pierre Clostermann.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Well-preserved and clear autograph.

Collector’s Note

Pierre-Henri Clostermann remains a legendary figure in aviation history: a Free French ace with RAF Tempests and Spitfires, bestselling author, engineer, and politician. His signature is especially sought-after by collectors of WWII aviation memorabilia, linking directly to one of the most iconic fighter pilots of the Allied cause.