Draft:Albert Littolff
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Albert Littolff | |
|---|---|
 Albert Littolff in the Soviet Union, 1943 | |
| Born | October 23, 1911 Cornimont, France |
| Died | July 16, 1943 (aged 31) Oryol, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Third Republic Free France |
| Service | French Air Force Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1931-1943 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | List
|
| Commands | No. 341 Squadron RAF |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Legion of Honour Order of Liberation Médaille Militaire Croix de Guerre Colonial Medal Order of the Patriotic War Patriotic War Victory Medal Order of the Crown of Italy Czechoslovak War Cross |
Albert Littolff was a French aviator and fighter ace who served in the French Air Force and later Free French Air Forces during World War II. Throughout his 12 years of service he recorded over 2,000 flight hours, flew in 218 war missions, shot down at least 5 enemy aircraft, and achieved 14 aerial victories. He is among the most decorated pilots in French history.
Early Life and Education
[edit]Littolff was born in 1911 in the commune of Cornimont. He the second of eight children born to unknown parents. Following the death of his parents at a young age, Littolff dropped out of school to help raise his younger siblings. In 1931 at the age of 19 he secured a scholarship to attend the flight school in Châlon-sur-Saône and in the same year got his pilot's license.
Military Career
[edit]After earning his pilot's license, Littolff volunteered for the French Air Force and was assigned to the 32nd Dijon Aviation Regiment. He served in this regiment for 9 years, being promoted to master sergeant in 1936 and assigned to perform in air shows across Europe due to his extraordinary piloting skills. He was returned to regular service in Dijon in February of 1939.
Battle of France
[edit]Littolff first saw combat during the Battle of France in 1940. He shot down his first enemy aircraft on May 12th, and continued to distinguish himself throughout the battle, achieving a further 7 aerial victories. When the armistice between France and Germany was signed in June, Littolff and two of his comrades defied it and flew in their Dewoitine D.520s from Toulouse to England to join the Free French Air Forces.
African Campaign
[edit]In September of 1940 Littolff was sent to French West Africa and participated in the allied attempt to capture Dakar from Vichy French forces. He was stationed in Douala for the remainder of 1940 along with the No.1 Group RAF. In 1941 he was reassigned to the No. 341 Squadron RAF, where he commanded the 2nd squadron and achieved four ariel victories against Italian and German aircraft during the Libya Campaign.
Eastern Front
[edit]Shortly before the Allied victory in Africa, Littolff volunteered to join the newly formed Normandie squadron which General Charles De Gaulle sent to aid the Soviets on the Eastern Front. An experienced pilot, Littolff quickly rose to become one of the commanders of the squadron alongside three other prominent French aces; Jean Tulasne, Pierre Pouyade, and Louis Delfino.
References
[edit]https://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr/compagnons/albert-littolff