Charles Godefroy, a French aviator, etched his name in history with a daring feat: flying through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. His story is one of bravery, skill, and a touch of rebellion against the establishment.
Godefroy’s life took a turn toward the skies when he was called up for military service during World War I. After a brief but impactful time as a soldier, he joined the French Air Force in 1917. His talent as a pilot was quickly recognized, and he soon transitioned into the role of a flying instructor.
The end of World War I brought France a moment of triumph. A grand victory parade was planned on the Champs Élysées, but the military’s decision to have airmen participate “on foot” ignited a spark of resistance among the pilots. They saw themselves as heroes of the skies, deserving of a different role.
A group of aviators, gathered at a bar on the Champs Élysées, hatched a plan. They decided to honor their fallen comrade, Jean Navarre, a flying ace with numerous aerial victories, by having one of them fly through the Arc de Triomphe during the parade. Navarre, however, met his demise in a tragic training accident just days before the parade.
With Navarre’s death, Godefroy stepped forward to fulfill the mission. Despite his relatively short 500 flying hours, Godefroy volunteered to make the daring flight. He meticulously studied the air currents and the route under the Arc, practicing his maneuvers with his close friend, journalist Jacques Mortane.
On August 7, 1919, three weeks after the parade, Godefroy took off in a Nieuport 27 sesquiplane, shrouded in secrecy. He skillfully maneuvered his plane, approaching the Arc from the west and circling it twice before gathering speed and making his dramatic descent. The aircraft, with a wingspan of only 8.21 meters, squeezed through the 14.50-meter-wide Arc. The proximity was terrifying – passengers on a nearby tram threw themselves to the ground, and pedestrians fled in fear.
Godefroy, after passing over the Place de la Concorde, returned to the airfield unnoticed. The flight, though short, had captivated the city.
Mortane, who had meticulously documented the flight with film and photographs, faced censorship. The authorities, fearing the dangerous precedent of such a stunt, banned the release of the footage. Though Godefroy remained officially silent, his name quickly spread. The authorities, while disapproving, could not completely suppress the story. Godefroy escaped with only a warning.
His daring feat, which garnered widespread attention through newspaper articles, led Godefroy to make a promise to his family: to give up flying. He dedicated his time to his wine business in Aubervilliers.
Godefroy’s legacy lives on. Though he passed away in 1958, his hometown of Soisy-sous-Montmorency honored him by naming a street and erecting a memorial stone.
Godefroy’s daring flight through the Arc de Triomphe is not just a testament to his piloting skills but also a symbol of courage, a defiant act against the expectations of the time, and a tribute to his fallen comrade. His story continues to inspire, a reminder of the daring spirit of those who dared to push the boundaries of what was thought possible.
