a squadron lieutenant commander
Alfred Heurtaux was born on May 20, 1893 in Nantes. Leaving Saint-Cyr, he was mobilized as a second lieutenant in the 9th Hussar when war broke out. He stood out on several occasions for his bravery and daring in combat, but he was already dreaming of something else.
He managed to transfer to the air force on December 6, 1914 and finds himself quite quickly as an observer at the MS 26 squadron. However, this role of passive spectator does not suit his fiery temperament. He then returned to instruction to learn to fly and on May 27, 1915 he successfully passed his patent.
His first assignment took him to the N 38, equipped with Nieuport 1'1, the famous "Baby", one of the best fighter planes of the time. It was with this unit that he won his first victory on May 4, 1916.
On June 15, he joined squadron N 3, whose planes proudly displayed the stork of Alsace designed by Borzecki. Very quickly, Heurtaux demonstrates his exceptional qualities as a hunter but also as a leader of men. So much so that, on November 9, 1916, he was appointed, himself, a simple lieutenant, commander of the squadron.
On November 26, he shot down Leutnant Kurt above Villers-Carbonnel Wintgens, great F1 ace. Abt.67, holder of 18 homologated victories. It is for Heurtaux, the 8th confirmed success. Based in Cachy in the Somme, the "3" took a very active part in the Allied offensive carried out in this sector and intended to relieve the defenders of Verdun. The victories piled up.
The "3" quickly became one of the best French fighter squadrons. These are eight other enemy planes that fall under the bullets of A. Heurtaux in the last three months of 1916, bringing his individual record to 16 approved victories.
At the start of 1917, the "3" moved to Malancourt, in Lorraine. It forged not only a fine reputation, but also solid traditions. The pilots call it the “Escadrile” (strict spelling). It became a breeding ground for aces whose names were Guynemer, de La Tour, Dorme, Baylies, Chainat...
General Lyautey, who had come to inspect the "3", was surprised to see five captains commanded by a lieutenant. Captain d'Harcourt, who
commands the Cigognes group on an interim basis, has great difficulty in making him understand that merit, more than any stripe, ensures Heurtaux a prestige that no one dreams of contesting.
On May 5, 1917, he was slightly wounded in combat, but on September 5, a more serious injury forced him to give up his command.
On October 22, he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor. His record shows 21 confirmed victories.
When the war was over, he remained a reservist and held various jobs in the ministries. Promoted to lieutenant-colonel, he became an inspector. hunting in September 1939. In November 1941, he was arrested by the Germans for his activities within the Resistance. From prison to on-, his, he ends up being deported to Buchenwald on March 12, 1945. Fortunately, his captivity will not be long. On December 24, 1945, he was appointed brigadier general and is currently spending peaceful days in a small town in the Oise.
C.-J. E.