“Iron Will” they called him. Here on Voie Didier Daurat we honor that will. Didier Daurat was more than just a name. He was a pioneer of French aviation. He was born in Montreuil-sous-Bois. His life ended in Toulouse in 1969.
Didier Daurat’s early life included studies at the École Supérieure des Travaux Publics. But war called. He joined the French army in 1914 during World War I. He earned his pilot’s license in 1916. He became a fighter pilot and then a commander. By war’s end he had earned the Croix de Guerre. He also received the Légion d’Honneur and eight citations.
After the war Daurat joined Lignes Aériennes Latécoère. This company later became Air France. On September 1 1919 Daurat inaugurated the regular postal route. It ran between Toulouse and Rabat Morocco. He later became director of the company. Later still he directed Air Bleu. This was integrated into the Service Civil de Liaisons Aériennes Métropolitaines during World War II. The goal was to preserve mail delivery.
Daurat earned the nickname “l’homme à la volonté de fer”. This translates to “the man with the iron will”. It reflected his dedication to reliability and timely deliveries. His commitment shaped the Aéropostale. He ensured unprecedented punctuality. He also aimed for reliability.
His leadership wasn’t always easy. Daurat demanded excellence. He dismissed those showing weakness or questioning his methods. He insisted on “l’esprit du courrier” or “the spirit of the mail”. Many pilots started by maintaining the planes. Daurat believed it built character and respect for mechanics. This skill proved vital later in the Sahara and Andes.
He had an eye for talent. In 1927 Daurat chose Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. He saw Saint-Exupéry’s intelligence and people skills. He sent him to Cap Juby as an airfield chief. There Saint-Exupéry negotiated with the Moors.
Jean Mermoz impressed Daurat with his flying in 1925. Daurat famously said he needed “bus drivers not circus artists”. But he hired Mermoz anyway. First Mermoz cleaned engines. Later he advised Daurat to hire Henri Guillaumet in 1926.
In 1933 Aéropostale merged into Air France. Daurat was dismissed. In 1935 he founded Air Bleu. It carried mail throughout France day and night. The company was militarized in 1939.
During the war Daurat maintained postal service. He worked within the Service Civil de Liaisons Aériennes Métropolitaines. After the war he relaunched the night postal service. He became head of Air France’s Orly operations. He retired in 1953.
Didier Daurat died in Toulouse in 1969. He was buried at Toulouse-Montaudran Airport. This was the former base of Aéropostale. His life inspired the character Rivière in Saint-Exupéry’s “Night Flight”. Daurat’s legacy lives on in aviation history. Here on Voie Didier Daurat we remember his iron will.