Julien Anatole Guertiau
Born13 September 1885
Meunet-Planches, France
Died26 April 1954(1954-04-26) (aged 68)
AllegianceFrance
Service/branchCavalry; aviation
RankLieutenant
Unit7e Regiment de Hussards; Escadrille 43; Escadrille 97
Commands heldEscadrille 97
AwardsLegion d'honneur, Medaille militaire, Croix de Guerre, Mentioned in dispatches
Other workServed in Indo-China in 1921

Lieutenant Julien Anatole Guertiau (13 September 1885 - 26 April 195) was a cavalryman turned aviator who became a flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories.

Early life and service

Julien Anatole Guertiau was born in Meunet-Planches, France on 13 September 1885. He reported for his mandatory military service in 1907. He was released from active duty as a non-commissioned officer.[1]

World War I

A double motored Caudron flying above the region of Reims (France) about 1917. Julien Guertiau used to fly with a similar aircraft.

On 2 August 1914, he was mobilized from the reserves for military service in World War I. His initial assignment was to the 7e Regiment de Hussards. On 4 November 1915, he transferred to aviation service. After training at Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, he received his military pilot's license, Brevet No. 3036, on 20 March 1916.[2]

After undergoing advanced training, on 23 June 1916 he was assigned to Escadrille C43 as a Caudron pilot. He scored his first aerial victory while flying this model two-seater on 29 September 1916; this win brought him his first mention in dispatches on 29 October. He was then promoted to Adjutant on 21 November 1916.[3]

Rather unusually, he would run his victory string while flying the unwieldy two-seater Caudron to four. His fourth victory, in which his plane was riddled by bullets as he engaged and shot down a German plane attacking a French observation balloon, earned him the Medaille Militaire.[4]

Following these successes, he was retrained as a fighter pilot, beginning on 5 November 1917. He was commissioned as a sous lieutenant on 23 November. On 6 December 1917, he was assigned to Escadrille 97 as a Spad pilot. He would score another four victories while with this squadron. On 9 September 1918, he was awarded the Legion d'honneur. On 25 September, he was promoted to lieutenant. On 3 October, he was appointed to command the squadron.[5]

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Notes
1 29 September 1916 Caudron German airplane Destroyed Mentioned in dispatches
2 28 April 1917 Caudron German airplane Destroyed Mentioned in dispatches
3 30 May 1917 Caudron German airplane Destroyed Mentioned in dispatches
4 25 June 1917 Caudron German airplane Destroyed Mentioned in dispatches; won Medaille militaire
5 22 January 1918 Spad Observation balloon Destroyed Mentioned in dispatches
6 12 April 1918 Spad German airplane Destroyed
7 28 August 1918 Spad German airplane Destroyed Mentioned in dispatches
8 25 September 1918 Spad German airplane Destroyed[6][7]

Post World War I

Guertiau went on to serve in French Indo-China in 1921.[8]

Guertiau remained interested in aviation after his return to France. He registered as part owner of a Guerchais-Roche T.12 under designation F-AIYL on 1 March 1929; his home of record was given as Etampes.[9]

Nothing more is known of Julien Anatole Guertiau except that he died on 26 April 1954.[10]

Endnotes

  1. ↑ Over the Front, p. 168.
  2. ↑ Over the Front, p. 168.
  3. ↑ Over the Front, p. 168.
  4. ↑ Over the Front, p. 169.
  5. ↑ Over the Front, p. 169.
  6. ↑ "Julien Anatole Guertiau". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  7. ↑ Over the Front, p. 169.
  8. ↑ "Julien Anatole Guertiau". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  9. ↑ "Civil Aircraft Register - France". Archived from the original on 2011-02-23. Retrieved 2011-03-18. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  10. ↑ "Julien Anatole Guertiau". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 23 November 2011.

References

  • 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, ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0.
  • Photograph of Guertiau and his mechanics posed in front of their Caudron in Escadrille 43.
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