André Julien Chainat
Encyclopedia
Adjutant André Julien Chainat was a World War I flying ace
credited with eleven aerial victories.
Chainat was an artilleryman who joined the French military on 25 October 1913. On 22 April 1914, he transferred to the 2eme Groupe d'Aviation and was posted to Escadrille B4, (the 'B' denoting the unit's use of Bleriot
s), on 20 July 1914, just in time for the beginning of the war. He was subsequently selected for pilot's training, and received Pilot's Brevet No. 1165 on 8 June 1915. Nine days later, he was promoted to Caporal
. Twelve days after that, he was assigned to Escadrille 23; he was later transferred on to Escadrille 38 on 1 November 1915. He was injured twice in accidents with this squadron.
On 17 January 1916, he was transferred to Escadrille 3. Four days later, he was promoted to Sergent. From March to September 1916, he used a Nieuport
fighter to score eleven victories, including sharing with Georges Guynemer
and Alfred Heurtaux
. Chainat was wounded once during this victory string, on 19 June, which he overcame; his second wounding, on 7 September 1916, removed him from combat. On 10 October, he was promoted to Adjutant
.
On 1 January 1917, Chainat transferred to the 3eme Croupe d'Aviation.
Andre Julien Chainat died in Cannes on 6 November 1961.
"Pilot of great skill and bravery. On 26 March 1916, he attacked and downed a plane which fell in flames in front of our lines." (Médaille Militaire citation, 5 April 1916).
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"First class pursuit pilot. Has downed six enemy planes between 26 March and 12 July 1916. He was wounded on 16 June. Already cited four times in orders and received the Médaille Militaire." (Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation, 3 August 1916)
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...
credited with eleven aerial victories.
Chainat was an artilleryman who joined the French military on 25 October 1913. On 22 April 1914, he transferred to the 2eme Groupe d'Aviation and was posted to Escadrille B4, (the 'B' denoting the unit's use of Bleriot
Blériot Aéronautique
Blériot Aéronautique was a French aircraft manufacturer founded by Louis Blériot. It also made a few cyclecars from 1921 to 1922.After Louis Blériot became famous for being the first to fly over the English Channel in 1909, he established an aircraft manufacturing company. This company really took...
s), on 20 July 1914, just in time for the beginning of the war. He was subsequently selected for pilot's training, and received Pilot's Brevet No. 1165 on 8 June 1915. Nine days later, he was promoted to Caporal
Caporal
Caporal may refer to:*Caporal, a type of strong dark tobacco*Caporales, a Bolivian dance*Caporal in French, equivalent to Corporal...
. Twelve days after that, he was assigned to Escadrille 23; he was later transferred on to Escadrille 38 on 1 November 1915. He was injured twice in accidents with this squadron.
On 17 January 1916, he was transferred to Escadrille 3. Four days later, he was promoted to Sergent. From March to September 1916, he used a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
fighter to score eleven victories, including sharing with Georges Guynemer
Georges Guynemer
Georges Guynemer was a top fighter ace for France during World War I, and a French national hero at the time of his death.-Early life and military career:...
and Alfred Heurtaux
Alfred Heurtaux
Alfred Marie-Joseph Heurtaux was a French World War I fighter ace credited with 21 victories. Later in his life, he joined the French Resistance during World War II, and survived imprisonment in Buchenwald death camp to become a brigadier general in the post war Armée de l'Air.-Early military...
. Chainat was wounded once during this victory string, on 19 June, which he overcame; his second wounding, on 7 September 1916, removed him from combat. On 10 October, he was 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 1 January 1917, Chainat transferred to the 3eme Croupe d'Aviation.
Andre Julien Chainat died in Cannes on 6 November 1961.
Honors and awards
Médaille Militaire"Pilot of great skill and bravery. On 26 March 1916, he attacked and downed a plane which fell in flames in front of our lines." (Médaille Militaire citation, 5 April 1916).
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
"First class pursuit pilot. Has downed six enemy planes between 26 March and 12 July 1916. He was wounded on 16 June. Already cited four times in orders and received the Médaille Militaire." (Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation, 3 August 1916)