Roland Paulze d'Ivoy de la Poype was born on July 28, 1920 in the commune of Prado, in a family of aristocrats. Fascinated by aviation since the time of his studies at the lyceum, in August 1939 he became a cadet of the flight school. After the surrender of France, he emigrated to the UK and became a pilot in the British RAF. Subsequently, he goes to the USSR as part of a French detachment of volunteer pilots, who upon arrival become the basis of the Normandy fighter squadron.

Roland de la Poype had his first victory on August 31 in 1943. The following month, two more planes were added to his personal account - Fw 190 and Ju 87. The full list of air victories of the pilot included 16 downed enemy aircraft. Courage and combat qualities of de la Poype were marked by combat awards of the USSR and France. After the war he continued to serve in the French Air Force, and in 1947 he retired.