Marcel Albert was born in Paris in 1917. Marcel developed an interest in aviation and joined the military and entered flight training in at the Caudron Flight School at Anberieu, near Leon. He received his wings as a Sergeant in May 1938. He was then sent to Istres for advanced flight training and combat tactics. His first post was the Centre Instruction Chasse at Chartres. Here he flew the French-built Bloch 152, the Morane-Saulnier 406, and the American-built Curtiss Hawk 75.
 
On September 1st, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and tensions in Europe where high. Marcel was posted to Escadrille GC I/3 in February 1940. Here he flew the new Dewontine 520, France’s newest fighter.
 
On May 10th the Germany invaded France. Marcel’s fist aerial victory came on May 14th, against a Dornier 17 bomber. Later that day he also shot down a Bf 109, however the kill was not confirmed. On May 20th just before the armistice with Germany, Marcel claimed another enemy aircraft, a Heinkel 111 bomber. Because of the confusion with the fall of the French Air Ministry, the Heinkel was not confirmed and listed as a probable.
 
After the armistice, the Vichy French government sent Marcel’s squadron to North Africa. After a few missions, at Mersel Kebirs, Marcel and other pilots left for Gibraltar on October 14,1941 and joined General De Gaulle and the Free French in England. For this action, the Vichy French condemned Marcel Albert to death for treason. The allies were afraid that the French Navy would be used against them in the Mediterranean. The RAF and Americans launched “Operation Torch”, attacking the French fleet and landing American troops in the North African Ports. Marcel almost found himself fighting against the Allies.
 
Marcel knew that he did not want to fight against the allies and decided with two other pilots to fly to Gibraltar where they surrendered their aircraft. For this act the Vichy French Government sentence Marcel Albert to death for treason. Marcel made his way to England and volunteered to fly for the RAF. Marcel was assigned to the 340 Squadron and flew 47 missions with the RAF.
 
In late 1942, Marcel and 13 other pilots with 50 mechanics left Scotland for Russia to form the Normandie Regiment. This was a squadron of free French pilots flying the Russian Yakovlev Yak-1B, the Yak-3, and Yak-9 fighters. Marcel claimed his first victory on June 16th against a Focke Wulf 189. Most of Marcel’s missions against the Germans were in the support of the Russian ground troops. Strafing German infantry, anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns and supply convoys. As the Russians forced the Germans back, Albert became an ace with his victories steadily climbing. On October 12, 1943, Marcel and his squadron were attacking German bombers, when Focke Wulf’s bounced them. In a head on attack Albert shot down the German ace Hans Phillips, which at the time had 216 aerial victories to his credit. The greatest day their squadron experienced, was on October 16th, 1944. Together they claimed 29 German aircraft shot down with Marcel claiming three himself.
 
On a mission against a German airbase at Lyda, Poland, Marcel was flying escort for Russian bombers striking the airstrip. His mission was to make sure that no aircraft took off to attack their bombers and to cover the bombers from any Germans that may already be airborne. They found the airfield filled with at least 200 enemy aircraft and no defensive air activity. The Germans had their aircraft lined up perfect for the aerial attack. While the Russian bombers were dropping their bombs on the parked enemy aircraft, Marcel noticed buses rushing to the airfield, which contained the German pilots and ground crew. Marcel and his fellow fighter pilots descended on them and cut the buses to pieces. The bombing mission was successful but there were many German aircraft left untouched. They were scheduled for another strike that afternoon to finish off the German planes. Marcel knew that this was not wise. They had caught the enemy off guard once but may not be so lucky again. As Marcel guessed, the Germans were waiting for them. Even though Marcel and the other fighter pilots fought to protect the bombers, they lost eight of their planes.
 
Albert was promoted to Captain and was one of the few foreigners ever to receive the highest USSR award for valor, the Gold Star and the title “Hero of the Soviet Union”. The Yak 9 above, Number 6, was the plane that earned him most of his victories. Marcel Albert flew for three different air forces during his combat career. The French, the English, and the Russians. Marcel ended the war with 23 confirmed aerial victories. Marcel knows that there were many others that fell before his guns, but in combat, it is hard to confirm every encounter. He was also credited with damaging many German aircraft in aerial dog fighting and destroying enemy aircraft on the ground.
 
Marcel flew 262 combat missions becoming one of France’s greatest aviators. The Normandie Regiment during its tour of battle lost 45 of its fighter pilots to the German aviators. The Germans however lost 273 aircraft to the French pilots, losing more aviators than the 273 because many of their loses were bombers carrying two to four crewmen.
 
Marcel knows that there were many others that fell before his guns, but in combat, it is hard to confirm every encounter. He was also credited with damaging many German aircraft in aerial dog fighting and destroying enemy aircraft on the ground. Marcel flew 262 combat missions becoming one of France’s greatest aviators. He fought when he had to. He gave the Germans no opportunities. But Marcel had a lighter side. He is a quiet man and a joker.