Roland Garros

I am – or at least to be – a pretty big fan of tennis. Especially in 1the 70’s and 80, and once spent an entire Independence Day weekend in the hospital watching my beloved Andrea Yeager at Wimbledon. I also particularly love the French Open, and the red clay courts. It takes place at Roland-Garros, which was named for the great French aviator when his former classmate who was also a classmate of the flier, serving as the President of French Tennis and overseeing the new facility, asked for it to be named for the World War I hero. Every time I watch the French Open, I am reminded of the sacrifice of so many, and I hope that it never faced from our memory. 

On April 18, 1915, Roland Garros, a pioneering French aviator and war hero, faced a critical moment that would mark a significant chapter in military aviation history. His plane was forced down behind German lines, leading to his capture—a development that had profound implications during World War I. 

Roland Garros was not just any pilot; he was a celebrity in France, known for being the first person to fly non-stop across the Mediterranean Sea. During World War I, he served in the French Air Service and was instrumental in the development of a machine-gun firing system that could shoot through the propeller without damaging it. This system involved steel deflector wedges attached to the propeller blades, a crucial innovation at the time.

On that fateful day in April, Garros was flying a Morane-Saulnier Type L equipped with this system. However, the deflector system was not foolproof. It is widely believed that the crash was caused by a malfunction or failure of this system, leading to either damage from his own machine gun bullets or a mechanical failure exacerbated by combat stress. Other accounts suggest he might have been forced down by ground fire from German troops.

The news of Garros’ capture was met with very different reactions on both sides of the conflict. For the Germans, capturing Garros was a significant propaganda victory. They treated him with respect due to his fame and achievements but were keenly interested in the technology he brought with him. The Germans were able to reverse-engineer the deflector system, which influenced their own aviation technology advancements.

On the Allied side, Garros’ capture was a demoralizing blow. He was not only a symbol of French ingenuity and bravery but also a tangible asset in the ongoing development of air combat strategies and technologies. His loss was felt deeply, both by the general public and by military strategists who feared what secrets he might be compelled to reveal.

Garros’ time in captivity was marked by multiple escape attempts, reflecting his unbreakable spirit and determination. After nearly three years as a POW, he successfully escaped in February 1918 with the help of other prisoners. Garros made his way back to France, where he was greeted as a hero and quickly returned to flying combat missions.

Unfortunately, his return to the skies was brief. Garros was killed in aerial combat in October 1918, just weeks before the end of the war. His death was a poignant reminder of the brutal realities of air warfare, but his legacy endured, influencing generations of pilots and aeronautical engineers.

The downing of Roland Garros on April 18, 1915, serves as a stark reminder of the vicissitudes of war and the rapid technological advancements that characterized World War I aviation. Garros’ innovative spirit and his dramatic wartime experiences capture the dual nature of technological progress and human courage. His life and career not only shaped military tactics but also symbolized the indomitable spirit of his nation during one of history’s darkest hours.