1880-1911 |
|
 |
"Greetings from Germany and enclosed a Photo from Rene Vallon. I have found this Photo 1980 in London for my China Air Mail Collection." Collection of Hubertus Hentschel, 7-24-07 |
|
|
|
A storehouse of material on a distant world presented by SinoMedia Shanghai From the North-China Herald, May 13, 1916 AVIATION TRAGEDY Death of M. Vallon "The pioneer of aviation in China, M. René Vallon met his death on the Race Course on Saturday in circumstances which have cast a deep gloom over the entire community. The tragedy, unhappily only one in a long list of fatalities occurring in the struggle for the mastery of the air, came in the most dramatic manner, and none of the thousands witnessing it will ever forget the cruel shock which it gave. No more painful tragedy can he found in the annals of Shanghai, for at a moment when practically the whole community were applauding his feat of aviation he was hurled to the ground from a frightful height, meeting his end while as yet the cheers had scarce had time to die away from the lips of the assembled on-lookers. And what is still more distressing, it was before the eyes of his wife that the terrible accident occurred, Mme. Vallon having come to the Race Course to greet him after his flight. M. Vallon's death closes what promised to he a bright chapter in the present history of China, namely the introduction of aviation, and the pioneer flights at Kiangwan from which so much was hoped to follow, will be remembered with feelings of sorrow. Once already the gallant aviator had flown over Shanghai, and so successful had he been in his flights that people were forgetful of the dangers of the air, but, when all seemed to be going well, these were brought home with redoubled force. The story of the fatality is as simple as it is sad, though of course the exact cause is difficult of explanation." This paragraph was excerpted from the fascinating story on the "Tales of Old China" website of SinoMedia Shanghai. To read the whole article, click on the title immediately above. |
|
|
|
via email from Patrick et Yolaine HALLEGUEN La Ferme de Cheux - Saint Michel des Loups 50740 Carolles - - France |
|
For the benefit of those of us who don't read French, I have translated a portion of the biography of Jean Beudin (born in 1880). He resided for more than 25 years at Shanghai (1908-1933). Through an impressive collection of stereotypes and stereoscopic plates, including the clip taken on Vallon Street above, he left a record of daily life and notable events including a film of the air meeting where the Vallon aviator found death (1911) |
|
"The research of the innovation ": Etienne Tsu Etienne Tsu, son of Nicolas Tsu, was born in Shanghai in 1885. He was sent to Europe for his higher studies in 1890. In 1903, he graduated from the School of mechanics of Lille with a degree in engineering. On his return to Shanghai, he undertook research in the field of the shipbuilding and then later into the beginnings of the automobile industry. The exploits of René Vallon in 1911 gave birth in him to a career in aviation. He was impassioned to such a degree with air locomotion that he returned to France in 1913 to learn to fly in Villacoublay. Licensed in 1914, he joined the French Foreign Legion and was immediately assigned to their airforce. As a fighter pilot in 1915, he distinguished himself and his confirmed kills earned him the Military Cross with palms. Demobilized in 1919, he returned to China where he took part in the creation of the Chinese Flying school which was equipped with French machines. A Colonel in 1925, he died in Shanghai in 1940 (?) Note from Patrick et Yolaine HALLEGUEN: Villacoublay is an airfield south of Paris and not so far from Versailles. It has a very old history, and is still used by general aviation but also by test pilots. |
|
|
|
A small history sent by a reader of Shangaï |
|
He was born on March 13, 1880, in Paris and died on May 6, 1911 in Shanghai. He had been invited by the local authorities to present a demonstration of stunt-flying to the public in Huangpu.. Unfortunately, the demonstration endded in catastrophe, with the "crash landing" of his plane. Overcome with sorrow, the crowd of all nationalities, cried for the hero. The French Municipality, in agreement with popular sympathy, set up a commemorative stele in the north of the "Caucasus Garden", close to Vallon Street. A poem was engraved there: "Death made known the sorrow supported by France, Him, it brought a destiny filled of pride... Tears filled the eyes unceasingly of innumerable spectators. You gave us up, in a wink...." The stele was destroyed by the Japanese, but 90 years later, the glorious history of René Vallon, the French pilot, remains unforgettable in the hearts of all Shanghaiens and their descendants. With my wishes of resting and sunny holidays. |
 |
|
Knoxville, Tennessee: May 7, 1911, Transcribed by Bob Davis - 8-25-05 |
|
If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
|