Overview of Belgian Forces in WWII
The Free Belgian forces were crucial in supporting the Allied armies during World War II after Belgium's surrender to Nazi Germany on May 28, 1940. These forces included soldiers and pilots who fought in various capacities alongside the Allies.
Belgian Air Force Contributions
Formation of Squadrons
After Belgium's surrender, many Belgian pilots escaped to Britain and joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). They formed their own squadrons, notably:
Squadron Number
Formation Date
Aircraft Used
Key Roles
349 Squadron
November 10, 1942
Tomahawks, Spitfires
Ferrying duties, air patrols
350 Squadron
November 12, 1941
Spitfires
Patrols, convoy escorts, combat
Key Achievements
During the war, Belgian pilots achieved notable success, including:
59 Distinguished Flying Crosses
4 Distinguished Service Orders
2 Military Crosses
These awards reflect the bravery and effectiveness of Belgian airmen in combat.
Role in Allied Operations
Belgian forces participated actively in both the European and Mediterranean Theatres. They flew alongside British and other Allied squadrons, contributing to significant operations and missions that helped turn the tide against Axis powers.
The legacy of the Free Belgian forces is a testament to their courage and commitment to the Allied cause during a critical period in history.
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05.05.1942 No. 122 Squadron Spitfire Vb BM321 MT-T Fl/Lt. de Hemptinne
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06.04.1944 No. 272 Squadron Beaufighter X LZ488 XK-H Sq/Ldr. Demoulin
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06.06.1944 350 Squadron Spitfire Vb EN950 MN-H Flt.Lt. Venesoen DFC
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08.09.1944 7th PG. 14th PS. USAAF Spitfire PRXI MB952 Lt. Goffin
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08th September 1939 102 Squadron Whitley II K8985 F/O. Cogman
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10/11.04.1945 No. 625 Squadron Lancaster I PD204 CF-P2 F/O Joseph Fred Mooney DSO
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10/11th August 1944 640 Squadron Halifax III NA563 P/O. Hellegers
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14.06.1944 Typhoon Ib MN661 Sq/Ldr. Gonay DFC Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm
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14/15.07.1944 156 Squadron Lancaster III PA984 GT:Q Sqn Ldr. George G. Davies DSO, MiD, RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire, Revigny, France
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15 Squadron Stirling I EF348 LS-N Fl/Sgt. Jack Newport, RAF Mildenhall, Oblt. Autenreith, 6./NJG1, Kessenich, Belgium
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15.10.1940 605 Squadron Hurricane I N2546 Flt.Lt. Muirhead DFC
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18.10.1943 No. 681 Squadron Mosquito PR.IV LR441 Fl/Lt. Javaux
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197 Squadron Typhoon Ib JP588 OV-V F/O. Soors, RAF Tangmere, English Channel
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22 OTU Wellington III DF743 - 5 crew killed along with 2 Belgian SAS soldiers
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20/21.10.1944 70 Squadron Wellington X ME957 Fg Off. Sandman. Tortorella, Italy, Gostola, Croatia
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1940 213 Squadron Hurricane I V7226 P/O. Philippart
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15.08.1940 No. 213 Squadron Hurricane I V7227 AK-C P/O. Buchin
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22.01.1942 609 Squadron Spitfire VB AB188 PR:Y Flt Lt. Offenberg DFC
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22.08.1943 61 OTU Spitfire IIa P7304 Plt Off. Jean Noizet
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222 Squadron Spitfire IX BR636 F/O. Leblanc, RAF Hornchurch, North Sea off Ostend, Belgium
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1940 235 Squadron Blenheim IV N3520 LA-S P/O. Kirkpatrick RAF Thorney Island
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25 Squadron Mosquito NF.30 MT489 XK-Z Fl/Lt. Corrie, RAF Castle Camps, accident, Bendish Hall, Essex
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27.08.1942 350 Squadron (Belgian), Spitfire Vb BM297, Flt Lt. Henri Albert Picard, Croix de Guerre, RAF Kenley, Circus 208, France, War Crimes
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16.08.1943 No. 3 Squadron Typhoon Ib EJ950 Fl/Lt. de Selys Longchamps DFC
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1944 350 Squadron Magister R1858 Fl/Lt. Michiels Honeybourne RAF Woodley RAF Cosford
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350 Squadron Spitfire Vb AA835 MN-E P/O. de Wever, Oye-Plage, France, Fw Ernst Christof, 1./JG26
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01.06.1942 No. 350 Squadron Spitfire Vb BL822 MN-T P/O. Livijns
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350 Squadron Spitfire Vb W3446 MN-R Sgt. Raes, RAF Debden, barrage balloon, Norwich, Norfolk
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350 Squadron Spitfire XIV NH711 Fl/Sgt. Huens, flak, Heckhalenfeld, Germany
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463 Squadron Lancaster I NG191 JO-A F/O. Austin, RAF Waddington, Hambüren, Germany
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463 Squadron Lancaster I NG191 JO-A F/O. Austin, RAF Waddington, Hambüren, Germany
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5/6.08.1941 No 115 Squadron Wellington Ic R1471 KO-T Fl/Lt Frederick Lorne Litchfield
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1945 51 O.T.U. Mosquito XVII, HK304, Sgt. Jacques Bonnewit, Sgt. John Muncaster, Air Accident, Flitwick, Ampthill
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09.01.1945 No. 541 Squadron Spitfire PR XI PL900 Fl/Lt. de Puysseleyr DFC
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14.05.1940 No. 607 Squadron Hurricane I P2713 P/O. le Breuilly
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609 Squadron Typhoon DN416 PR-P Sgt. van Nyevelt, RAF Manston, engine failure, North Sea off Dover
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609 Squadron Typhoon Ib MN434 PR-K F/O. Rendall, B.77 Gilze-Rije, Netherlands, accident
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Andre de Meulemeester: Belgian Ace WW1
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Belgium Aircrew Losses
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Coppens de Houthulst: Belgian Balloon Killer WW1
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Corner of an Englishshire
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Edmond Thieffry: Belgian Ace WW1
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Jan Olieslagers: Belgian Ace WW1
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Kervyn de Lettenhove: Belgian Ace WW1
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Veteran Heimes
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Lt Gen Baron Michel 'Mike' Gilbert Libert Marie Donnet
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Robert Laumans: Belgian Fighter Pilot Obituary
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. -
Laurence Binyon
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