Return to the Cradle - Day 1, Presentation 1 (San Antonio Texas, Friday, Oct. 16)
Jim Wilberg presenting on Jean Navarre
Jim Wilberg opened up the conference with his presentation on the early French ace, Jean Navarre. In what would become a sort-of “rebel” theme for the day, Wilberg compared the personality of Navarre against that of the fictional character/pilot “Maverick” from the movie Top Gun, and stated that many of the clichés for fighter pilots started with Navarre.Navarre’s pre-war life was referenced, particularly his twin brother,
Pierre, to whom he was very close. Wilberg covered the fact that Navarre, with few exceptions, was not close to many of his fellow pilots and was particularly affected when his few friends were killed in action and particularly when his brother, who also flew in the war, was killed.There were good details on the aircraft Navarre flew as well has the units in which he served and the commanding officers he scrapped with as well as some of the aircraft he brought down.
A significant portion of the presentation was dedicated to the Battle of Verdun, where Navarre gained much of his fame by flying multiple missions per day over long periods, earning him the title “Sentential of Verdun” by the infantry in the trenches who came to recognize the constant presence of his red Neuport.
Wilberg closed by covering Navarre’s removal from combat and his death after the war.
Wilberg also mentioned a book he in publishing which compiles WWI aviation images by Russell Smith, and text by a stable of noted WWI Aviation writers, many of which were attending and presenting at the conference.
