André Julien Chainat

Who was André Julien Chainat?

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, 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 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 Sergeant. 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.