Julien Guertiau
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Julien Anatole Guertiau was a cavalryman turned aviator who became a flying ace
during World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories.
, 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
.
. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
.
Nothing more is known of Julien Anatole Guertiau except that he died on 26 April 1954.
----
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...
during World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories.
Early life and service
Julien Anatole Guertiau was born in Meunet-PlanchesMeunet-Planches
Meunet-Planches is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
, 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
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
.
World War I
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 Hussards7th Hussar Regiment (France)
The 7th Hussar Regiment was a regiment of hussars in the French Army. Its most notable commanders were Pierre David de Colbert-Chabanais and Jean Baptiste Antoine Marcellin de Marbot....
. 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.
After undergoing advanced training, on 23 June 1916 he was assigned to Escadrille C43 as a Caudron
Caudron
The Caudron Airplane Company was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 by brothers Gaston Caudron and René Caudron . It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both World War I and World War II...
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
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
on 21 November 1916.
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
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
, earned him the Medaille Militaire.
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
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
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
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
. On 3 October, he was appointed to command the squadron.
List of aerial victories
See also Aerial victory standards of World War IAerial victory standards of World War I
During World War I, the national air services involved developed their own methods of assessing and assigning credit for aerial victories.The victory scores of the pilots represented at List of World War I flying aces often cannot be definitive, but are based on itemized lists that are the best...
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 September 1916 | Caudron Caudron The Caudron Airplane Company was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 by brothers Gaston Caudron and René Caudron . It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both World War I and World War II... |
German airplane | Destroyed | Mentioned in dispatches Mentioned in Dispatches A soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in... |
| 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 Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:... |
Observation balloon Observation balloon Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today.... |
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 | |
Post World War I
Guertiau went on to serve in French Indo-China in 1921.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
Étampes
Étampes is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located south-southwest from the center of Paris . Étampes is a sub-prefecture of the Essonne department....
.
Nothing more is known of Julien Anatole Guertiau except that he died on 26 April 1954.
See also
- http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escadrille/escadrille043.htm has a photograph of Guertiau and his mechanics posed in front of their CaudronCaudronThe Caudron Airplane Company was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 by brothers Gaston Caudron and René Caudron . It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both World War I and World War II...
in Escadrille 43. - http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpages14-18.mesdiscussions.net%2Fpages1418%2Faviation-1914-1918%2Flibellule-escadrille-43-sujet_844_1.htm&lp=fr_en&.intl=us&fr=yfp-t-701 is a Babelfish translation of the above photo and text.
Reference
- 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.
Endnotes
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