Born: July 28, 1912 (Belleville-sur-Meuse, France)
Biography:
Suzanne Henriette Jannin, also Suzanne Henriette Delvoye, was a remarkable French woman who made significant contributions as a dentist, resistance fighter, and air force pilot. Born on July 28, 1912, in Belleville-sur-Meuse, Jannin’s life was marked by courage, dedication, and a passion for serving her country.
Jannin initially pursued dentistry and studied at Nancy, where she obtained her diploma in 1939. However, her life took a different direction when she began training as a pilot at Tomblaine in May 1939, flying a Potez 43. Little did she know that this initial step into the world of aviation would shape her future.
During the German occupation of France, Jannin became an active participant in the French resistance. As a member of the Meuse department’s F.F.I., Region C, under the leadership of Colonel Grandval, she played a vital role. Jannin courageously sheltered British and American parachutists, guiding them safely from Verdun to the Swiss border. She provided medical services, transmitted news reports, and clandestinely transported valuable documents, weapons, and munitions.
Jannin’s dedication and bravery did not go unnoticed. She was appointed as a lieutenant on September 1, 1944, and on January 1, 1944, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Administration Corps of the French army. Instead of taking on administrative tasks, Jannin took charge of a 4-by-4 vehicle that she used to repatriate French prisoners from Germany. Between May and August 1945, Jannin led four convoys of 38 vehicles, successfully returning a total of 650 prisoners to their homeland.
A passionate aviation enthusiast, Jannin was the president of the Verdun Air Club. Following her relocation to Paris, she devoted herself entirely to aeronautics, forsaking her dental practice in Verdun. In 1948, she attained her military pilot’s license and underwent further training at Saint-Yan and Challes-les-Eaux.
April 1951 marked a significant turning point in Jannin’s life as she joined the Far Eastern Women’s Auxiliary Administration Corps (Cafaeol) in Tonkin, French Indochina, as a dental captain. General Lionel-Max Chassin, recognizing her potential, encouraged her to join the Air Force. To fulfill this ambition, Jannin had to relinquish her officer’s grade and assume the role of a simple corporal. On April 6, 1953, she was assigned to the 52nd squadron at Tan-Son-Nhut near Saigon, becoming the second woman to be a pilot in the Air Force and the first in Indochina.
Jannin’s time in Indochina was marked by valor and dedication. She flew incessantly, undertaking reconnaissance, guidance, and rescue missions. Throughout her service, Jannin completed a striking 290 flights, with 86 of them classified as war missions. Her skills and bravery in the air made a significant impact on the battlefield.
After a period in Laos, Jannin temporarily paused her aviation career to provide dental services to the troops stationed there. Her commitment to her country and her willingness to assume diverse responsibilities set her apart as an exceptional individual.
In 1957, Jannin resumed her dental practice in Paris, demonstrating her remarkable ability to balance her love for aviation and her profession in dentistry. Her contributions to both fields left an indelible mark on French society and the history of women’s accomplishments.
Suzanne Henriette Jannin’s unwavering bravery, selflessness, and determination exemplify the spirit of a true heroine. Her accomplishments as a dentist, resistance fighter, and air force pilot have rightly earned her a place in history as a trailblazing woman who defied gender norms and served her country with honour and distinction.