Jean Charles Romatet (17 May 1896 - 15 May 1975) was a French military officer who served as a general in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. He began his career during World War I as a

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 seven aerial victories.

Biography

Jean Charles Romatet was born on 17 May 1894 in Borgo, Corsica.''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918'', pp. 213 - 214 Romatet began his military career during World War I in the

French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed Force ...

on 10 October 1912; after seasoning as a cavalryman, he entered military school as an Aspirant on 12 October 1913. On 5 August 1914, he was appointed as ''

Sous lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

''. He transferred to the French Air Force on 30 November 1916 as an

aerial observer Aerial may refer to: Music * ''Aerial'' (album), by Kate Bush * ''Aerials'' (song), from the album ''Toxicity'' by System of a Down Bands *Aerial (Canadian band) * Aerial (Scottish band) *Aerial (Swedish band) Performance art *Aerial silk, ...

. On 15 January 1917, he was posted to '' Escadrille 38''; on 30 April 1917, he was granted his observer's brevet. A posting to pilot's training came next, starting 7 September 1917. On 8 November, he was awarded his Military Pilot's Brevet. After advanced training, he was posted to '' Escadrille Spa.76'' as a fighter pilot on 22 February 1918. He was transferred to command ''Escadrille Spa.165''. He became a

credited with seven confirmed victories (4 victories with ''Escadrille Spa.76'' and 3 victories with ''Escadrille Spa.165'').The Aerodrome websit

Retrieved 31 August 2020 Romatet rose to the rank of General during World War II while commanding ''Groupe 23'' at Laon-Chambly. He later served as Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, Chief of Staff of the

Vichy French Air Force The Air Force (french: Armée de l'air), usually referred to as the Air Force of Vichy (''Armée de l'air de Vichy'') or Armistice Air Force (''Armée de l'Air de l'armistice'') for clarity, was the aerial branch of the Armistice Army of Vichy Fran ...

from 1940 to 1942. Jean Charles Romatet died on 15 May 1975.

Career Details

* 1932 Lieutenant Colonel - Commanding Officer Air Forces, French West Africa * 1937 Became Temporary Commanding Officer 22nd Air Brigade and Director of Teaching, École de l'Air * 1938 Attached to the Ministry of National Defence * 1938 Second Deputy Chief of the Air Staff * 1939 Promoted to Brigadier-General * 1940 First Deputy Chief of the Air Staff * 1940-1942 Chief of the Air Staff - promoted to Major-General and later to Lieutenant General

Sources

References

* Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank (1993). ''Over the Front: The Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918''. London, UK: Grub Street Publishing. . 1890s births 1975 deaths French World War I flying aces French Army officers French Air Force generals Chiefs of the Staff of the French Air and Space Force French military personnel of World War II Knights of the Legion of Honour Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France) {{france-mil-bio-stub