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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Further data available at Allied Losses & Incidents database
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3 Squadron crest
16.08.1943 No. 3 Squadron Typhoon Ib EJ950 Fl/Lt. Jean M.P.M.G. de Selys Longchamps DFC

Operation: Scramble

Date: 16th August 1943 (Monday)

Unit: No. 3 Squadron

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: EJ950

Code: QO-X

Base: RAF Manston, Isle of Thanet, Kent

Location: At the base, RAF Manston, Kent

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Baron Jean Michel P.M.G. de Selys Longchamps DFC RAFVR 61313 Age 31. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Fl/Lt. Longchamps is probably best remembered for his single attack on the Gestapo headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. in January 1943. Severely reprimanded for his actions he was demoted, but then awarded the DFC! The building was damaged with reports of several Germans being killed. A memorial stands at the spot today in front of the former Gestapo building.

After returning from a scramble in the morning of the 16th August his Typhoon crashed on landing at RAF Manston, breaking the aircraft in two, Fl/Lt. Longchamps was killed instantly.

In 2013 ‘Wings of Memory’ from Belgium with the help from the ‘Royal British Legion’ organised a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of his loss - hundreds attended from both Belgium and England.

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Baron Jean Michel P.M.G. de Selys Longchamps DFC Minster (Thanet) Cemetery. Grave 3002A. Son of Raymond Charles Michel Ghislain, Baron de Selys Longchamps and Baroness de Selys Longchamps, of Brussels, Belgium.

Other awards: Chevalier de L'Ordre de Leopold, Croix de Guerre (Belgium).

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of the pilot, with thanks to Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol. 2, also to Josette Bens and Mr. Alain Rosseels from Belgium for further information and photographs.

Acknowledgements: Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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