21 Facts About Alfred Heurtaux

Alfred Marie-Joseph Heurtaux was a French World War I fighter ace credited with 21 victories.

Alfred Heurtaux began his military career with his entry into officer training in 1912.

Alfred Heurtaux then passed through pilot's training, being brevetted a pilot on 29 May 1915.

Alfred Heurtaux was assigned to Escadrille MS38, another Morane-Saulnier squadron.

Alfred Heurtaux was promoted to lieutenant on Christmas Day, 1915.

Alfred Heurtaux scored for the first time on 9 July 1916.

Alfred Heurtaux continued to accumulate victories steadily over the next eight months, reaching 21 on 4 May 1917.

Alfred Heurtaux eventually returned to duty, but did not score again.

Alfred Heurtaux was raised from Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur to Officer.

Alfred Heurtaux had fifteen palms and two bronze stars to his Croix de Guerre.

Alfred Heurtaux later became President of the France Fighter Aces Association.

Alfred Heurtaux was elected Deputy for Seine-et-Oise aged 26, in 1919.

Alfred Heurtaux was active in the Association of the Reserve Officers of the Air Force, being its president from 1934 to 1937.

Alfred Heurtaux was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the reserves on 25 June 1935.

Alfred Heurtaux was reinstated on active duty a few months later, as Inspector of Fighter Aviation.

Alfred Heurtaux used the freedom of movement afforded by this appointment to pass military intelligence to his old Saint Cyr classmate, Colonel Groussard, and to recruit fellow veterans into espionage.

On 23 January 1941, Alfred Heurtaux was made a member of the National Council of Vichy France.

Alfred Heurtaux would spend over three years in a succession of German jails in Dusseldorf, Bielefeld, Hannover, Berlin, and Potsdam.

Alfred Heurtaux had been promoted to full colonel in 1942, while he was in custody.

Alfred Heurtaux ended his career working as a consulting engineer.

Alfred Heurtaux died 30 December 1985, at Chantilly, Oise and was buried in Paris.