Picture a daring aviator soaring through the skies. That aviator is Joseph Le Brix. We stand here on Allée Joseph Le Brix. This allée commemorates a true pioneer of French aviation.
Joseph Marie Le Brix was born in Baden France in 1899. From a young age, he was fascinated by the sea. In 1918, he entered the Naval School. He embarked on the Jeanne d’Arc for his School of Application. He then joined the Jules Michelet for a trip to South America.
It was there that he met aviator Bernard de Romanet. Romanet offered him his first flight. It was a revelation for Le Brix. He pursued aviation with passion.
Le Brix joined the war in Rif in 1925 after completing his aviation training. He earned the rank of Lieutenant as well as numerous citations and honors.
From October 1927 to April 1928, Le Brix was Costes’ copilot and navigator on the Nungesser-Coli. Together they traveled the world. During this trip, they achieved the first South Atlantic crossing.
Dieudonné Costes and Joseph Le Brix left Paris in 1927. They aimed for a world tour of 57410 km. They flew a Breguet 19GR. They made their first flight from France to Africa. They completed the first non-stop aerial crossing of the South Atlantic. It went from Senegal to Brazil. They stopped several times on their way north. They eventually reached San Francisco in the United States. From there they boarded a ship to Tokyo Japan.
The French aviators continued their journey by plane to India. They then flew to Europe. On April 14 1928 they landed triumphantly in Paris. They were equipped with their LONGINES chronometer.
Le Brix attempted a new distance record. He wanted to fly from Paris to Tokyo with two friends. The engine failed over the Ural Mountains in Russia. One crew member bailed out. The second had trouble with his parachute. Le Brix refused to abandon his copilot. Both men died in the crash.
Joseph Le Brix’s story is one of courage and sacrifice. He refused to leave a friend in need. His legacy lives on here at Allée Joseph Le Brix. Remember his bravery as you stroll. He was a true hero of the skies.