Allegiance France Name Alexandre Bretillon | Died November 18, 1978 Rank Second lieutenant | |
Service/branch Infantry; artillery; aviation Unit 39e Regiment de Infanterie, 18e Regiment d'Artillerie, Escadrille 79, Escadrille 49 Awards Legion d'honneur, Medaille militaire, Croix de Guerre with seven palmes, Mentioned in Dispatches five times | ||
Sous lieutenant Alexandre Albert Roger Bretillon was a French World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories.
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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 No. 1122 on 25 June 1916. In August, he was promoted to enlisted Brigadier. On 1 December, he was stationed with Escadrille 79.
On 17 March 1917, Bretillon scored his first win, downing a German Albatros. In May, he was advanced to Maréchal-des-logis.
On 15 February 1918, he was wounded in action over La Fere. 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. 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, 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.