How many victories did René Fonck achieve?

Short answer

René Fonck was credited with 75 confirmed victories, 72 solo and three shared, out of 142 claimed. He still holds the title of "top-scoring Allied ace of all time." Counting his probable claims, his final tally could be close to 100 or higher.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many victories did René Fonck achieve?

Spad XIII "Smith IV

Seventy-five confirmed of 142 claimed

René Fonck was credited with 75 confirmed victories—72 solo and three shared—out of a total of 142 claims. He still holds the title of "top-scoring Allied ace of all time." Taking his probable claims into account, his final tally could be close to 100 or higher.

The call of the Storks

At age 23, on 15 April 1917, during the so-called "Bloody April," Fonck received a coveted invitation to join the famous Escadrille les Cigognes.

The summer of 1918

On 18 July 1918 he scored a double victory that brought his total to 53, matching Guynemer. The following day he shot down three more enemy aircraft and surpassed the legendary Guynemer's tally. On another day he again shot down six enemy aircraft in a single day, a feat he had already achieved before.

The fighter of the aces

The first aerial victory with the SPAD S.VII was claimed by Armand Pinsard of N.26 on 26 August. The type was flown by several celebrated aces, including the Frenchman Georges Guynemer, the Italian Francesco Baracca, and the Australian Alexander Pentland.