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Jean de Suarez d'Aulan (November 20, 1900 – October 8, 1944) was a French aviator, auto racer, bobsledder, businessman and soldier, from a powerful French aristocratic family as well as one of the oldest Spanish aristocracies.
The aristocratic family became very powerful in Spain, to such a level they almost overthrew the king, Charles V. Although, as they were seen as a threat as one of the most powerful families in Spain, King Charles V of Spain chased the main branch of the family out of Spain to France where they were given the new titles of Marquis and Count by the French sovereign. From then on the family became loyal to France and became one of the country's most powerful aristocratic families.
The ‘de Suarez’ (of Suarez) name originates from the Spanish aristocracy which held the title Duke of Suarez and Duke of Feria, whilst the ‘d’Aulan’ (of Aulan) name originates from the French aristocracy which holds the titles of Marquis and Count.
Bobsleigh career
As a bobsledder, d'Aulan won a bronze medal in the four-man event at the 1934 FIBT World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Competing in four Winter Olympics, his best finish was fourth in the four-man event at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix.
Auto racing career
d'Aulan drove an EHP in the 1925 24 Hours of Le Mans race with Rene Dely, finishing 14th.
Aviation career
As an aviator, d'Aulan won rally events in Egypt in 1937 and in France in 1938.
Military career
During World War I, d'Aulan fought in the 5th battalion in the infantry, enlisting in 1918. After France fell in 1940, d'Aulan fought for the Allies as a fighter pilot as a Second Lieutenant. He was killed over (Germany) during World War II when his Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf 109.[1]
Personal life
d'Aulan married Anne Marie Yolande Kunkelmann in 1926. They had four children. Francois ( 10th Marquis of Aulan ) Catherine ( married with Claude Taittinger ), Guilaine ( married with Count de Poix ) and Philippe.
References
- ^ "Olympians Who Were Killed or Missing in Action or Died as a Result of War". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
External links
- 1936 bobsleigh two-man results
- Bobsleigh four-man world championship medalists since 1930
- 1925 Le Mans 24 hour race classification
- Champagne region of France profile (in French)
- Portrait (in French)
- Wallenchinsky, David. (1984). "Bobsled: Four-man." In The Complete Book of the Olympics: 1896–1980. New York: Penguin Books. p. 559.