Sous lieutenant Alexandre Albert Roger Bretillon was a French World War I
flying ace
A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...
credited with nine aerial victories.
Early life
Alexandre Albert Roger Bretillon was born 23 September 1895 in Curville.
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World War I
Bretillon joined the French military on 19 December 1914; he was initially assigned to infantry duty. On 18 April 1915, he transferred to artillery. On 13 March 1916, he was detached for aviation training. He was awarded Military Pilot's Brevet
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
No. 1122 on 25 June 1916. In August, he was promoted to enlisted Brigadier
Brigadier is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several thousand soldiers. In ...
. On 1 December, he was stationed with Escadrille 79.[
On 15 February 1918, he was wounded in action over ]La Fere
LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States.
La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music
* La (musical note), or A, the sixth note
* "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figur ...
. By 24 March, he had recovered, and scored his second win on the same day he was awarded the ''Médaille militaire''. Five days later, he was promoted to Adjutant
Adjutant is a military appointment given to an officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly the management of human resources in an army unit. The term is used in French-speaking armed forces as a non-commission ...
. He resumed scoring on 24 March, and mounted victories right through until 21 October; on that date, he shared his ninth win with Jean G. Bouyer, Paul Hamot
Adjutant Paul Hamot was a French World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.The Aerodrome websitRetrieved 10 August 2020.
Biography
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I
Paul Hamot was born in Montherlant, France, on ...
, and Maurice Arnoux.[
]
Post World War I
On 14 January 1919, Bretillon was awarded the ''Légion d'honneur'' to accompany his ''Médaille militaire'' and ''Croix de Guerre''. No more is known at this time about this ace other than he died on 18 November 1978.[
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Honors and awards
''Medaille Militaire'' citation
''Pursuit pilot with courage beyond compare who gives proof in all circumstances of his scorn for danger. On 19 December 1917, his plane being in flames at 6,000 meters by enemy action during the course of a combat, he succeeded in returning to ground safely. Has given proof of the highest audacity by not hesitating to attack an enemy two-seater protected by seven pursuit planes, and was wounded in the course of the battle. Previous wounds—three citations.''[
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''Legion d'honneur'' citation
''Magnificent pursuit pilot of audacity mixed with great sang-froid. Guided by his own ardor, never hesitates to provoke and attack the enemy far behind its own lines. He has had therefore a series of combats, returning often with his plane riddled by bullets. On 27 August 1918 he attacked four enemy planes and downed one. Nine victories, 3 wounds, ''Medaille Militaire'' for feats of war. Five citations.''[
]
Endnotes
References
* ''Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914-1918'' Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey. Grub Street, 1992. , .
External links
* The Aerodrome website http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/bretillon.php lists his victories
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bretillon, Alexandre
1895 births
1978 deaths
French World War I flying aces
Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)
Recipients of the Legion of Honour