| Julien Anatole Guertiau | |
| Birth Date: | 13 September 1885 |
| Birth Place: | Meunet-Planches, France |
| Allegiance: | France |
| Branch: | Cavalry; aviation |
| Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Unit: | 7e Regiment de Hussards
|
| Commands: | Escadrille 97 |
| Awards: | Legion d'honneur, Medaille militaire, Croix de Guerre, Mentioned in dispatches |
| Laterwork: | Served 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.
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]
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]
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] | |
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]