Jacques and Janine Drabier standing in front of a Hawker Hurricane fighter
Allen Crosson
Early this spring six members of Le Cercle Français journeyed to the Pima Air Museum in Tucson with Jacques and Janine Drabier. Jacques is a PebbleCreek resident who flew with the Free French Air Force during WWII and is a recipient of the French Legion of Honor. He had just completed flight training when the Germans invaded France and was able to escape to England, on a fishing boat, with about one hundred of his fellow pilots.
Upon arrival in England the French pilots were attached to the Royal Air Force and transitioned to flying British fighters such as the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. Jacques also flew the Bell P-39 Airacobra and the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in the European and Mediterranean theaters of operation. He had type ratings in 26 different propeller driven aircraft and was credited with shooting down at least one German Me-109 fighter.
Jacques had the opportunity to meet a former B-17 pilot who flew in the 15th Air Force and they related stories with one another to the delight of passing visitors. In addition, the Drabiers made arrangements with the museum gift shop to sell copies of Jacque’s book War Pilot Memoirs: A Mirror On 1939. His book is also available at the PebbleCreek Creative Arts Gift Shop.
It was an enjoyable trip for all. For those with an interest in aviation history who have never been to the Pima Air Museum, it is well worth the drive to Tucson.