Perhaps a military pilot would have lived here. This is Villa André Moynet. It stands in Saint-Mandé, just east of Paris.
André Moynet was born here in Saint-Mandé on July 19, 1921. In 1939, he joined the Air Force. He earned his pilot’s license a few months later. André Moynet joined the FAFL in June 1940. He was assigned to Squadron 340 in May 1942.
On January 26, 1944, he joined GC3 Normandie. Within this group, he achieved his most impressive combat record. He single-handedly attacked a group of three FW190s. This happened in the Gumbinnen area of East Prussia on October 23, 1944. He shot down two and damaged the third. The squadron claimed six FW190s shot down and two damaged in this memorable sortie.
André Moynet scored four of his eight total victories within Normandie. He left the regiment on December 12, 1944. In February 1940, he qualified as a military pilot. He first served in the Battle of England. This was with the “Alsace” fighter group. Later, he fought in campaigns in Cameroon, Chad, and Gabon. At 20, he was knighted into the Legion of Honour.
In 1942, he joined fighter group No. 2, “Ile-de-France”. He participated in early offensive campaigns like the Dieppe raid. He shot down six enemy aircraft. In 1943, he volunteered for an air squadron in the “Normandie – Niemen” regiment. As a captain, he shot down six more planes on the Russian front. All these victories were confirmed.
André Moynet was made a Companion of the Liberation on November 17, 1945. He also became an officer of the Legion of Honour. He was later made a commander in 1948 at age twenty-seven. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 with ten citations. He received two Soviet decorations. He was appointed Commander of the Toulouse fighter school. Then, he commanded the fighter instructor school in Tours.
André Moynet left the Air Force the following year. He retired with the rank of colonel. His career took new directions. He became the chief test pilot at the Brétigny center. An engineer, he was interested in motorboat construction. He developed several speedboats. He also worked on automobile construction.
In 1946, André Moynet began a political career. This led him to significant roles in Parliament and the executive branch. He served under the Fourth and Fifth Republics. He also competed in auto racing. He participated in famous races such as the 12 Hours of Sebring in the United States on March 8, 1953.
In May 1955, the Caravelle took its first flight. Pierre Nadot was at the controls with his co-pilot André Moynet. From November 1954 to February 1955, he was Minister in charge. He coordinated government action for youth. This was within the Mendès-France government. From 1962 to 1967, André Moynet chaired the National Defence Committee. This was in the National Assembly.
Working for Matra, he lent his name to two aircraft. They featured a revolutionary push-pull design. One propeller pulled at the front. Another pushed at the rear. From 1967 to 1975, he was CEO of Etablissements Saint-Chamond Granat. This Courbevoie firm specialized in aerospace industry equipment. André Moynet died on May 2, 1993, in Nice.
This Villa André Moynet is more than just an address. It is a place of history and accomplishment.