History of Roland Garros (aviator) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 22, 2025

Eugène Adrien Roland Georges Garros was a pioneering French aviator and fighter pilot. He achieved early aviation milestones, including the first airplane crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. During World War I, he served as a fighter pilot in the French army but was shot down and killed in 1918. Posthumously, he is most remembered for having the Roland Garros tennis stadium named in his honor in 1928; the stadium is where the French Open is held, which also bears the name, Roland Garros.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1909: Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne

During his summer holiday in 1909, Garros saw the Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne which ran from August 22 to 29. After this, he knew he had to be an aviator.

1909: Aviation Career Begins

In 1909, Garros started his aviation career flying a Demoiselle monoplane.

1909: Garros begins aviation career

In 1909, Roland Garros began his career in aviation.

July 1910: Garros gains Ae.C.F. licence no. 147

In July 1910, Garros gained Ae.C.F. licence no. 147.

September 1911: Altitude Record Set

In September 1911, Garros set an altitude record of 3,950 m (12,960 ft).

1911: Flying Bleriot XI Monoplanes

In 1911, Garros graduated to flying Blériot XI monoplanes and entered air races.

September 1912: Garros regains height record

In September 1912, Garros regained the height record by flying to 5,610 m (18,410 ft).

1913: First Airplane Crossing of the Mediterranean Sea

In 1913, Garros accomplished the first-ever airplane crossing of the Mediterranean Sea.

1913: First Non-Stop Flight Across the Mediterranean Sea

In 1913, Garros gained fame for making the first non-stop flight across the Mediterranean Sea in a Morane-Saulnier G, commencing the flight on September 23.

1913: First owner of Garros Bugatti Type 18

In 1913, Roland Garros became the first owner of the Garros Bugatti Type 18, which was later named Black Bess.

April 1914: Saulnier patents synchroniser

By April 14 1914, Raymond Saulnier had taken out a patent for a workable synchroniser for machine guns on planes.

August 1914: Reports of Air Battle Involvement

In August 1914, reports claimed Garros was involved in the "first air battle in world history", a story that was quickly contradicted.

December 1914: Discussion at Morane-Saulnier Works

In December 1914, Garros visited the Morane-Saulnier works to discuss the problem of mounting a forward-firing machine gun on combat aircraft.

April 1915: First Shooting-Down of an Aircraft

On April 1, 1915, Garros achieved the first shooting-down of an aircraft by a fighter firing through a tractor propeller, with two more victories on April 15 and 18.

April 1915: Capture by German Forces

On April 18, 1915, Garros's plane experienced engine trouble and he was captured by German infantrymen. The intact gun and propeller were rushed to Anthony Fokker.

June 1915: First aerial victory against a Zeppelin

Later sources indicated the first aerial victory against a Zeppelin occurred in June 1915 and earlier reports, including that of Garros, were discounted.

February 1918: Escape from German POW camp

On February 14, 1918, Garros escaped from a German POW camp with lieutenant Anselme Marchal.

October 1918: Death of Roland Garros

In October 1918, Roland Garros was shot down and died.

October 1918: Two Victories Claimed

On October 2, 1918, Garros claimed two victories, one of which was confirmed.

1928: Roland Garros tennis stadium named

In 1928, the Roland Garros tennis stadium was named in his memory, and the French Open takes his name.

1936: Hanoi stadium named after Roland Garros

According to Vũ Trọng Phụng's urban novel, Dumb Luck (1936), during colonial times the Hanoi government named the city's main tennis stadium after Roland Garros.