ICM Normandy-Niemen. Plane of Roland de la Poype(Yak-9T w.Roland de la Poype figure

Roland Paulze d'Ivoy de la Poype was born on July 28, 1920, in the municipality of Prado into an aristocratic family. Even during his studies at the lyceum, he was fascinated by aviation and became a cadet at the flight school in August 1939. After the capitulation of France, he emigrated to Great Britain and became a pilot in the British RAF. He then went to the USSR as part of a French contingent of volunteer pilots, who formed the foundation of the fighter squadron in Normandy upon their arrival. Roland de la Poype achieved his first victory on August 31, 1943. In the following month, two more aircraft were added to his personal tally - a Fw 190 and a Ju 87. The complete list of the pilot's aerial victories included 16 enemy aircraft shot down. The courage and combat skills of de la Poype were recognized with military honors from both the USSR and France. After the war, he continued to serve in the French Air Force and was retired in 1947.