Joseph M. X. de Sévin
Encyclopedia
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.
in 1914. He volunteered for active military service on 2 September 1914. His first assignment was as an enlisted man in the 14e Regiment d'Infanterie. He then began a series of rapid promotions. On 5 November 1914, he was promoted to Caporal
; on 30 November, to Sergent; on 5 December, he was commissioned a temporary Sous lieutenant.
s. He was confirmed in his commission on 27 December 1915.
on 4 March 1917. He was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur on 19 April 1917. On 11 May, he teamed with Alfred Auger
for a third win, over a two-seater. On 19 June, he shared a victory with Jacques Ortoli
and Jean Chaput
. By 30 September, his string was up to six, with five of the wins shared. On 25 December, he was given command of Escadrille Spa26, accompanied by a promotion to Lieutenant.
on 2 March 1918, and confirmed in the rank on 28 June.
; he also was the French Air Attaché
in Bucharest.
De Sévin commanded a flying school during World War II, and was in North Africa in 1943. On 25 September 1944, Joseph Marie Xavier de Sévin capped off his professional career by being promoted to General de Division Aerienne
and raised to Grand Officer de la Légion d'honneur.
"Brilliant pilote de chasse having a high conception of devotion to duty. Always prepared for the most difficult missions. Woulded in the infantry at the beginning of the war, he transferred to aviation, downing his second enemy plane on 4 March 1917. Already cited three times in army orders." (Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur citation, 19 April 1917)
Awarded the Order of the British Empire
during World War II.
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 twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as thirteen unconfirmed ones. He rose to the rank of Major General while serving until World War II.
1914
De Sévin was in the military school at St. CyrÉcole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
The École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr is the foremost French military academy. Its official name is . It is often referred to as Saint-Cyr . Its motto is "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre": literally "They study to vanquish" or "Training for victory"...
in 1914. He volunteered for active military service on 2 September 1914. His first assignment was as an enlisted man in the 14e Regiment d'Infanterie. He then began a series of rapid promotions. On 5 November 1914, he was promoted to Caporal
Caporal
Caporal may refer to:*Caporal, a type of strong dark tobacco*Caporales, a Bolivian dance*Caporal in French, equivalent to Corporal...
; on 30 November, to Sergent; on 5 December, he was commissioned a temporary Sous lieutenant.
1915
On 15 July 1915, de Sévin reported to Pau for pilot's training. On 19 October 1915, he was awarded Pilot's Brevet No. 1804. On 11 November, he was assigned to Escadrille N12 to pilot both single-seat and two-seat NieuportNieuport
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:...
s. He was confirmed in his commission on 27 December 1915.
1916–1917
He would not score his first aerial victory until 11 July 1916. His second was eight months later, when he shared a claim with Marcel NoguesMarcel Nogues
Sous Lieutenant Marcel Joseph Maurice Nogues was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was an ace over enemy observation balloons, as well as enemy airplanes.-World War I service:...
on 4 March 1917. He was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur on 19 April 1917. On 11 May, he teamed with Alfred Auger
Alfred Auger
Capitaine Alfred Victor Robert Auger was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.Auger began the war as an infantry officer; he was wounded in action on 31 August 1914. He transferred to flying service in 1915, only to be wounded again on 8 July. On 22 September 1915, he took...
for a third win, over a two-seater. On 19 June, he shared a victory with Jacques Ortoli
Jacques Ortoli
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 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...
. By 30 September, his string was up to six, with five of the wins shared. On 25 December, he was given command of Escadrille Spa26, accompanied by a promotion to Lieutenant.
1918
He tallied up another six wins between 20 January 1918 and 24 October 1918, including one shared with Andre Dubonnet. During this stretch, he was appointed temporary CapitaineCapitaine
Capitaine, derived from the French for Captain, may also refer to:-Fish:* Hogfish , an edible marine fish in the Labridae family, found in the western Atlantic...
on 2 March 1918, and confirmed in the rank on 28 June.
Post World War I service
De Sévin continued in service after the war, becoming a professional soldier. At some point, de Sévin served in Morocco, at IstresIstres
Istres is a commune in southern France, some 60 km northwest of Marseille. It is in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, of which it is a subprefecture...
; he also was the French Air Attaché
Air attaché
An air attaché is an Air Force officer who is part of a diplomatic mission; this post is normally filled by a high-ranking officer.An air attaché typically represents the chief of his home air force in the foreign country where he serves. The day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining contacts...
in Bucharest.
De Sévin commanded a flying school during World War II, and was in North Africa in 1943. On 25 September 1944, Joseph Marie Xavier de Sévin capped off his professional career by being promoted to General de Division Aerienne
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
and raised to Grand Officer de la Légion d'honneur.
Honors and awards
Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur"Brilliant pilote de chasse having a high conception of devotion to duty. Always prepared for the most difficult missions. Woulded in the infantry at the beginning of the war, he transferred to aviation, downing his second enemy plane on 4 March 1917. Already cited three times in army orders." (Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur citation, 19 April 1917)
Awarded the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
during World War II.
Reference
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.
- 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 0948817542, 9780948817540.
- SPAD XII/XIII Aces of World War I. Jon Guttman. Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN. 1841763160, 9781841763163.