Background
Julien Anatole Guertiau was born in Meunet-Planches, France on 13 September 1885.
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 On 2 August 1914, he was mobilized from the reserves for military service in 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 Number. 3036, on 20 March 1916.
After undergoing advanced training, on 23 June 1916 he was assigned to Escadrille C43 as a Caudron pilot. 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 Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur"honneur.
On 25 September, he was promoted to lieutenant. On 3 October, he was appointed to command the squadron.
