Jacques Ortoli
Encyclopedia
Commandant Jacques Toussaint François Ortoli was a French Corsican patriot who served France in two World Wars. In World War I, he was a flying ace
credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories. He returned to his nation's defense during World War II.
and assigned to Escadrille 8.
On 25 February 1915, he was promoted to Sergent. On 28 April 1915, Ortoli and his observer were credited with using their Farman
to down a Rumpler
two-seater observation plane in one of history's first aerial victories. On 8 July, Ortoli was medically evacuated to hospital with a head wound. He would not return to action until 7 October, when he arrived at Escadrille 31 as a Nieuport
pilot.
On 11 March 1916, he was promoted to Adjutant
. On 4 June, he scored the second victory of his career over an LVG
. Nine days later, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire. On 24 September 1916, he transferred to Escadrille 77. Beginning on 23 January 1917, Ortoli began a string of nine victories that ended on 24 June. With one exception, shared with Joseph M. X. de Sévin
and Jean Chaput
, they were solo victories.
In the midst of his victory string, on 24 April, he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant, and on 28 May 1917 was appointed Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur.
On 19 April 1918, he was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant. On 10 May, he took command of a Spad
squadron, Escadrille 57. By the Armistice, Ortoli had amassed over 1,235 flight hours. He had flown over 500 offensive sorties, and about 400 escort, photographic reconnaissance, or artillery direction sorties. He had survived being shot down twice by anti-aircraft fire.
on 25 June, and served through on the Allied side until 15 July 1945.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories. He returned to his nation's defense during World War II.
World War I
Ortoli earned his Pilot's Brevet No. 1668 on 26 June 1914, thus barely qualifying as a prewar pilot. He volunteered for French military service for the length of the war on 2 September 1914. He entered as a soldat de 2e classe in the 2e Groupe d'Aviation. On 30 September, he was awarded Military Pilot's Brevet No. 608. On 14 October 1914, he was simultaneously promoted to CaporalCaporal
Caporal may refer to:*Caporal, a type of strong dark tobacco*Caporales, a Bolivian dance*Caporal in French, equivalent to Corporal...
and assigned to Escadrille 8.
On 25 February 1915, he was promoted to Sergent. On 28 April 1915, Ortoli and his observer were credited with using their Farman
Farman
Farman Aviation Works was an aeronautic enterprise founded and run by the brothers; Richard, Henri, and Maurice Farman. They designed and constructed aircraft and engines from 1908 until 1936; during the French nationalization and rationalization of its aerospace industry, Farman's assets were...
to down a Rumpler
Rumpler
The Rumpler Tropfenwagen was a car developed by Austrian engineer Edmund Rumpler.Rumpler, born in Vienna, was a designer of aircraft when on the 1921's Berlin car show he introduced the Tropfenwagen. It was to be the first streamlined car . The Rumpler had a Cw-value of only 0.28...
two-seater observation plane in one of history's first aerial victories. On 8 July, Ortoli was medically evacuated to hospital with a head wound. He would not return to action until 7 October, when he arrived at Escadrille 31 as a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
pilot.
On 11 March 1916, he was promoted to Adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
. On 4 June, he scored the second victory of his career over an LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
. Nine days later, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire. On 24 September 1916, he transferred to Escadrille 77. Beginning on 23 January 1917, Ortoli began a string of nine victories that ended on 24 June. With one exception, shared with Joseph M. X. de Sévin
Joseph M. X. de Sévin
Major General Joseph Marie Xavier de Sévin began his military career as a World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as thirteen unconfirmed ones. He rose to the rank of Major General while serving until World War II....
and Jean Chaput
Jean Chaput
Lieutenant Jean Chaput was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. He served in the army infantry beginning in 1913. He transferred to aviation in 1914. He qualified as a pilot by February 1915, was assigned to Escadrille 28, and scored his first victory on 12 June 1915 while...
, they were solo victories.
In the midst of his victory string, on 24 April, he was commissioned a Sous lieutenant, and on 28 May 1917 was appointed Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur.
On 19 April 1918, he was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant. On 10 May, he took command of a Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
squadron, Escadrille 57. By the Armistice, Ortoli had amassed over 1,235 flight hours. He had flown over 500 offensive sorties, and about 400 escort, photographic reconnaissance, or artillery direction sorties. He had survived being shot down twice by anti-aircraft fire.
Between the World Wars
On 7 March 1922, Ortoli resigned from active military service. On 9 November 1927, he was raised to Officier in the Legion d'Honneur. He was promoted to Captain in the reserves on 25 June 1934. On 30 March 1935, he was appointed a Commandeur in the Legion d'Honneur.World War II
On 2 September 1939, Ortoli was recalled to active duty. He was demobilized again on 20 February 1941. He was recalled to active duty once again on 3 May 1943, promoted to CommandantCommandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
on 25 June, and served through on the Allied side until 15 July 1945.
External links
- http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/ortoli.php
- http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/ace_Ortoli.html
Reference
- 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. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, 9780948817540.