Julien Guertiau

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.

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

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. http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/guertiau.php Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  7. Over the Front, p. 169.
  8. http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/guertiau.php Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-02-23. Retrieved 2011-03-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  10. http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/france/guertiau.php Retrieved 23 November 2011.
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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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