Charles Nungesser: adventurer, ace and epitome of zero fucks.
At out break of WW1 he initially enlisted in the French Cavalry and quickly earned a reputation of being a hardfuck. During one patrol, he came back to base driving a German vehicle after killing its occupants. His superiors were impressed by this and, upon his request, transferred to pilot training..and that's where the legend began.
He became a formidable fighter pilot, shooting down scores of Germans over the fields of France.
He loved women, booze, fast cars, and didnt give a fuck about the rules.
He was placed on house arrest numerous times for flying without permission. It wasn't uncommon for him to fly out, shoot down Germans, get arrested upon returning and receive medals afterwards. He disliked strict military discipline and went to Paris to enjoy its many pleasures as often as possible.
He would sometimes arrive for morning patrol still dressed in the tuxedo he'd worn the night before and even occasionally with a female companion.
During the course of the war he shot down 43 planes, awarded medals for valor from 7 countries, and wounded so many times, mechanics had to help him into the cockpit.
His injuries included skull fractures, brain concussions, anti-aircraft shrapnel imbedded in his body, bullet wound in mouth, bullet wound in ear, other fractures and contusions too numerous to mention.
In May 1927, he and another pilot took off from Paris with the intention of flying to New York and completing the first transatlantic flight. Tragically, they were never seen again. The bodies or plane were never found.
Two weeks later, American aviator Charles Lindbergh successfully crossed the Atlantic and was given an immense hero's welcome by the French, even as they mourned for the loss of Nungesser. #hardcore #ww1 #pilot #stayzero #zerofoxtrot