Les aéronautes de la première République - Napoléon avait-il des Montgolfières ? par David Méchin

By David Méchin It was in France that the first proven flight in human history took place, on November 21, 1783, aboard a hot air balloon piloted by Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes. It was also in France that, ten years later, the world's first air force was organized, serving the First French Republic and fighting at Fleurus and then on the Rhine, as well as in Italy and Egypt under the command of General Napoleon Bonaparte. David Méchin, an aviation historian, will tell you the story of Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau, its first chief of staff; Jean-Marie Coutelle, its first pilot officer; and Nicolas-Jacques Conté, the first director of the first aircraft factory in history. 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Guyton Morveau establishes military ballooning 16:02 Coutelle tests the balloon 22:06 Conté organizes balloon production 29:57 Ascents over Maubeuge 36:23 Fortune follows audacity 43:23 The Battle of Fleurus 51:31 Difficulties in operation 01:01:30 Adventures in Egypt 01:07:05 Glory to the heroes of the Republic