In 1913, Roland Garros, aviation pioneer and national hero, achieved a historic feat: the first crossing of the Mediterranean by plane.
This feat takes place during a period of innovation and great challenges for aviators. In the midst of the First World War, pilots become iconic figures, but the risks are numerous.
Roland Garros
Roland Garros, born in 1888 in Paris, is a renowned pilot and aviation pioneer. At the age of 25, he turned to aviation, although he was trained to run a business. He followed in the footsteps of pioneers such as Blériot.
He first performed aerial demonstrations. He faced dangerous conditions and technical challenges with audacity. His exploits included speed and altitude records. The most famous remains his crossing of the Mediterranean in 1913, a monumental challenge at the time.
On September 23, 1913, he took off from Fréjus. He braved storms and fatigue. He managed to land his plane in Bizerte, Tunisia, after 700 km of flight.
This crossing represented the peak of his career. Then he enlisted in the First World War. He continued to distinguish himself in military aviation. Tragically, he disappeared in 1918, but his name remains linked to the conquest of the skies.
Garros' exploits symbolise the heroic period of aviation. His name remains engraved in the history of French aviation. The Roland Garros tennis tournament and the monument commemorate his crossing of the Mediterranean.
The crossing
On September 23, 1913, Roland Garros took off from the Fréjus naval air base aboard his single-engine “Morane-Saulnier”.
The challenge is enormous: crossing the Mediterranean with an unreliable engine and no advanced navigation technology. The flight is at a modest altitude, making every minute a test of endurance.
Fréjus was chosen for its strategic naval air base. It has the necessary infrastructure for military and civil aviation.
At the time, aviation was booming. Fréjus, a strategic port of call, became a key location for aerial exploits.
After leaving Fréjus, Garros headed for Bizerte, Tunisia. He landed there in less than 8 hours, proving that the crossing was feasible.
This feat was greeted with enthusiasm in France and beyond. Garros became a hero, a symbol of courage and tenacity.
He pushed the limits of aviation and opened the way to other conquests. The world hailed this feat, a prelude to future legendary crossings.
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