French figher pilot ace Pierre "Clo Clo" Clostermann's passing is worth noting for a couple of reasons: Kiko's House is appropriately tough on the France for sundry reasons, but let's not forget that despite its quick capitulation to Nazi Germany in 1940, some 7,000 French volunteers made their way to Great Britain to fight on. Clostermann was one of several dozen pilots who flew for the Free French Alsace squadron in conjunction with the Royal Air Force.No one is quite sure how many German aircraft Clostermann shot down. He was credited with 33 kills, but official records show the number to be around 20. No matter, Clo Clo flew with skill and courage and was an inspiration to everyone around him.
Clostermann, who died at his home in southwest France on March 22, worked as an aeronautical engineer after the war and became a vice president of the Cessna Aircraft Company. He also entered politics and spent 23 years as a high-profile Gaullist in the French legislature until giving up his seat in 1969.
He was 85.
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