Emil Milan Uzelac, born on August 26, 1867, in Komárom, which is now part of Slovakia, was a pivotal figure in the development of military aviation for the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I. His military career began after graduating from the Technical Military Academy of Civil Engineering and Crafts in Vienna in 1888. Uzelac's early service included time in the 2nd Engineer Regiment and assignments in Pula and Trieste, as well as a stint as an officer on a merchant ship traveling to New York City. His expertise in engineering and his naval experience laid the groundwork for his future role in aviation.
In 1912, Uzelac was appointed Commander of the Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops (in German: Kaiserliche und Königliche Luftfahrtruppen or K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppen, in Hungarian: Császári és Királyi Légjárócsapatok) by General Alexander von Krobatin. This position marked the beginning of his significant influence on Austro-Hungarian military aviation. Uzelac faced the formidable task of establishing an aviation division within a country that had limited industrial capacity and raw materials, compounded by a lack of understanding among military authorities and a highly bureaucratized system. Despite these challenges, he was instrumental in modernizing the air force, earning him numerous domestic and foreign awards, including the Military Merit Cross from Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Uzelac's tenure as commander saw him oversee the air force through the entirety of World War I. His leadership was not without personal risk; he survived a crash while performing his first looping in 1912, an incident that landed him in the hospital. His dedication to aviation extended beyond airplanes; he also flew in air balloons and was awarded the diploma of the leader of free balloons by the Austrian aeroclub in 1914.
The end of the war brought changes to Uzelac's career. On May 1, 1918, he was promoted to Major General, but the reorganization of command on October 1, 1918, led to a formal degradation of his position. Despite this, his legacy as the father of the Austro-Hungarian Air Force remained intact. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Uzelac continued his service in the air forces of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and later the Independent State of Croatia.
Emil Milan Uzelac's contributions to military aviation were not only technical but also strategic, as he navigated the complexities of a changing Europe and the evolving role of air power in warfare. His story is a testament to the impact one individual can have on the advancement of technology and military capabilities. Uzelac passed away on January 7, 1954, leaving behind a legacy that would influence air forces for generations to come.