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609
“West Riding” Squadron was formed in 1936 and was heavily engaged in
the Battle of Britain. In
the spring of 1941, a handful Belgians joined the squadron; most of them
experienced combat pilots. They formed the nucleus of the continuous
Belgian presence in one of the RAF’s most successful fighter units.
609's stay at Kluis, March 1945. (Via Jan Mathijs) S/L
Lodewijk Geerts DFC (June-August 1944) S/L
Raymond Lallemant DFC (August-September 1944) S/L
Charles Demoulin DFC (November-December 1944) Fifty-five
Belgian pilots served in 609. Fifteen lost their lives in the squadron,
several more were killed whilst serving in other RAF-squadrons. Today,
only a handful of Belgian 609’ers is left. André
R. Blanco "Le men"
13
January 1942/31 October 1943 - 11 April 1944/30 October 1944 Ex
Aé-Mil. Died 1975. Serge
E.L. Castermans 27
April 1944 - 2 June 1945 Arrived
in 609 via Belgian Congo Paul
H. Cooreman DFC "Paolo" 29
October 1943- 6 December 1944 Shot
down on August 3, 1944 in Typhoon
MN322 "PR-F" by Flak over Normandy, but escaped. Ended his
tour with 130 operations. Armand
F. Crekillie 12
September 1944 - 1 October 1945 Flew
98 Ops Later
Chief of Staff of the Belgian Armed Forces Jean
Y.R.C. Creteur "Le Canard" 12
May 1942 - 15 March 1943 Ex
Aé Mil. Died 1992 Georges
J.G. Daix 7
December 1943/4 January 1944 Ex
Aé Mil. Joined 195 Sq.,
transferred to 609. Crashed in North Sea in Typhoon JR374 on January 4,
1944 Alain
H. de Blommaert de Soye 1
April 1945/13 April 1945 Killed
near Nijmegen on April 13, 1945 in Typhoon RB250 "PR-A". Both
de Blommaert and P/O Rendall died at near the bridge of Grave.
He was the last Belgian to die in 609. Jean-Florent
De Bruyn 12
September 1944 - 2 June 1945 Flew
7 Fighter missions, and 59 RP-missions. Survived (baled out) crash with Typhoon
MN360 "PR-D" over Handel. Guy
F. De Bueger 27
August 1944 - 2 June 1945 Flew
83 operations. Survived (baled out) crash with Typhoon JR379 on January
2, 1945. KIFA in F-84F in 1961. Baudouin
M.G. de Hemptinne 25
June 1941 - 10 September 1941 Ex
Aé Mil. Shot down a Bf 109 on August 16, 1941. KIA on May 1942 in 122
Sq. Rodolphe
G.C. de Hemricourt de Grunne "Dolfo" 28
April 1941/21 May 1941 Was
refused by the Belgian Army to start training as a pilot. After some
private courses, he went to Spain to join the Nationalistic Forces of
Franco. to become the most successful non-Spanish ace of the
Nationalists. Over
the Spanish fronts, “Dolfo” flew German planes as the IIIth Reich
supported Franco. De Grunne was puzzled when that same Reich invaded his
country in May 1940. At that time, he was serving in the sole Belgian
Hurricane-squadron that was however wiped out the first hours of the
war. De
Grunne escaped to England and flew as one of Churchill’s “Few”
during the Battle of 1940. He was shot down and became severely burned. Spring
1941 he joined 609, but only stayed less then four weeks in the
squadron. De
Grunne’s Spitfire P7436 "PR-M" was lost during Circus 10. 609's stay at Kluis, March 1945. (Via Jan Mathijs) Charles
J.V.G. Demoulin DFC 15
March 1943 - 12 April 1944 - 14 November 1944 - 5 December 1944 Charles
Demoulin was trained in the RAF and joined the squadron in spring 1943.
On September 26, 1943 he ditched his Typhoon JP543 "PR-A" but
was soon rescued. One week later he scored his first victory, a Bf 110
near Florennes. On January 30, 1944 he bagged two FW 190’s and on
February 29 he shot down a Ju 88 near Cambrai. He ended his first tour
in April ’44 and was sent to 184 Squadron. On August 8 he became CO of
164 Sq., but on November 14, 1944 he was the third Belgian who led 609.
be it for a short while, as he was shot down by Flak near Ede (Holland)
on December 5, flying Typhoon PD470 "PR-D". He became a POW. Arthur
R.H. Deschamps 12
September 1944 - 8 June 1945 Arthur
Deschamps flew in the Aé Mil and escaped to the UK in 1942. On April
16, 1945 he made a forced landing with his Typhoon JR294
"PR-K" near Kampe. Arthur
Deschamps was killed whilst flying for Sabena in 1948 Jean
M. de Selys Longchamps 30
September 1941/13 March 1943 Probably
the best known Belgian of 609 was Jean de Selys Lonchamps. He escaped as
a cavalry officer to England to join the RAF. On May 29, 1942, he had to
bale out of his Typhoon R7647 which crashed at Sutton Village (Ely). On
January 20, 1943, he decided to attack the headquarters of the German
Sicherheitsdienst at the Avenue Louise in Brussels. It should be noted
that Brussels was at that stage of the war out of range for allied
fighters by daylight. Although his attack was successful, and he safely
returned, this exploit was not liked by his superiors. He had to leave
the squadron, only to be killed in a flying accident on August 16, 1943
in 3 Squadron François
X.E. de Spirlet 15
April 1941 - 26 June 1942 François
de Spirlet, an experienced Belgian pilot joined the RAF during the
Battle of Britain. On June 17 1941 he claimed his first victory, but one
week later, on June 22, he was shot down over the Channel but rescued.
On August 29 he shot down a 109. De Spirlet was killed whilst colliding
during take off on June 26, 1942, crashing in Typhoon R7710
"PR-E". Burial of François de Spirlet, June 1942. Six Belgians escorting his coffin to its resting place. Front row (L. to R.): Raymond Lallemand, Jean Creteur, Bob Wilmet; Back row: Raymond Doperé, Robert Roelandt, Remi Van Lierde. Charles
Detal DFC 23
March 1943 - 23 March 1944 Charles
Detal was one of the most promising pilots of the squadron. He shared a
first victory on October 16, 1943. On December 4 he got a Do 217 near
Eindhoven and on January 3, 1944, bagged a FW 190 near Cambrai. The
following day he intercepted successfully a Do 217 near Gilze-Rijen. On
January 27 he got two victories: a Bf 109 and a Bf 110 near Brussels. Detal
was killed in a flying accident on March 23, 1944 (Typhoon MN140) near
North Seaton/Acklington (Northumberland), exactly one year after he
joined the squadron. Giovanni
E.F. Dieu DFC 4
August 1941 - 1 August 1942 Joined
236 Sq. (Coastal Command) in 1940, but was transferred to 609 one year
later. On March 8, 1942, he claimed a FW 190 near Dunkirk. After his
one-year tour in 609 he was sent to 245 Sq.
Giovanni Dieu died in 1978. Raymond
A. Doperé 12
May 1942/23 October 1942 Raymond
Doperé, being an experienced pilot in the Belgian air force, joined the
UK in March 1942. On
October 23, 1942, he was killed during a defensive patrol over Hastings
Bay (Typhoon R8812 "PR-K") Count
Yvan G. du Monceau de Bergendael DFC "Duke" 10
April 1941 - 30 March 1942 "Duke"
du Monceau was the first Belgian to join 609 Squadron. On August 18,
1941 he claimed a Bf 109 near Calais; on September 27 he got another 109
near Mardijck. On February 18, 1942 he successfully intercepted a Do 217
over the Humber and on March 8, 1942 he shot down a FW 190 near Cap Griz
Nez. Du Monceau was transferred to 350 “Belgian”
Squadron in March 1942. He
died in 1984. J.J.M.
Fromont 27
August 1944 - 8 February 1945 After
serving in 349 “Belgian” Squadron, J. Fromont joined 609 in August
1944. He
died in 1984. Lodewijk-Emmanuel
Geerts DFC "Manu" 22
February 1943 - 14 August 1944 When
"Manu" Geerts joined 609 he was already 36, but being a very
skilled pilot he easily outclassed many other fighter pilots soon after
his arrival. On January 2, 1944, he shot down a FW 190 near Charleville;
two days later he intercepted a Do 217 over Gilze Rijen. Because
of his experience – “Manu” flew since 1926 -, he maturity and the
respect he earned from his fellow squadron pilots, he became the first
Belgian to take command of 609 in June ’44. Geerts flew 204 missions,
55 of which were rocket attacks. He
passed away in 1992. 609's stay at Kluis, March 1945. (Via Jan Mathijs) Henri
F.R. Goblet 12
September 1944 - 3 March 1945 Joined
the RAF in August 1940. On March 3, 1945 his Typhoon EK380 was shot down
near Xanten. Goblet became a POW. In 1948 he was killed whilst flying
for Sabena. J.M.
Geuffen 30
July 1943 - 4 October 1943 Ex
Aé Mil. Joined the RAF in July 1942, was lost near Poix during a
Rhubarb mission on October 4, 1943, being taken POW. Léon
L. Henrion "Mon Oncle" 11
May 1943 - 29 January 1944 Léon
Henrion shot down a Bf 109 on October 1943, but on January 29 1944 he
was shot down himself over Walcheren (Typhoon JP662). His body was never
found. Albert
L.J.M. Hue "Pedro" 10
December 1943 - 12 April 1944 Ex
Aé Mil. Flew in 195 Sq. before being transferred to 609. Emile
L.R. Jacquemin 25
October 1944 - 2 June 1945 Flew
59 sorties. Georges
L.R.C. Jaspis DFC "Poupa" 22
June 1943/12 April 1944 - 7 June 1944 - 2 December 1944 Ex
Aé Mil. Scored his first victory against a Bü 133 near Paris on
November 2, 1943. On January 10 he shot down a Ju 88 near Melsbroek. His
third victim was a Ju 88, on February 26. He shared a fourth victory
against a Ju 188 on February 29, 1944. Georges
Jaspis flew for Sabena after the war. Albert
G. Laforce Flew
76 missions. Maurice
Jospe 27
April 1945 - 2 June 1945 Raymond
Lallemant "Cheval" DFC & Bar 30
September 1941 - 24 June 1943 - 14 August 1944 - 14 September 1944 One
of the best Typhoon pilots ever, “Cheval” Lallemant joined 609 in
autumn of 1941. He scored his first victory over Deal, on December 19,
1942. He claimed another Focke Wulf over Dungeness on January 20, 1943,
and a third one on February 14, over Dover. In
August ’44 Lallemant became CO of the squadron, following Manu Geerts.
A few weeks later, on September 14, 1944, however, his Typhoon PD505 was
hit by Flak but Cheval managed to fly back to Merville, but on landing
he crashed and was severely burned. He
wrote his autobiography “Rendez-Vous avec la chance”, joined the
post war BAF and spends his time painting. Jacques
P. Legrand 14
December 1943 - 24 April 1944 Ex
Aé. Mil. Roger
Malengreau 15
May 1941 - 9 October 1942 Ex
Aé. Mil., flew in the Battle of Britain and joined 609 in 1941. Joined
the Corps Diplomatique after the war and passed away a few years ago. Jan
Mathys 12
September 1944 - 1 October 1945 Arrived
in England via Belgian Congo. P/O Jan Mathijs in Berthe, his personal "Tyffie".
Jan Mathijs attacking an O.P. in a church near Wageningen (Nl.) - March, 1945.(via J. Mathijs) Jean
Morai 4
August 1941 - 18 April 1942 After
his stay in 609, Jean Morai joined 349 “Belgian” Squadron, but was
taken prisoner on June 14, 1944. Flew 118 missions, passed away in 1973. José
Muller 21
July 1941 - 21 November 1941 After
his stay in 609 José Muller joined 122 Sq., and was taken POW on May
17, 1942. Alex
Nitelet 21
July 1941 - 9 August 1941 Alex
Nitelet was engaged in the heavy aerial combat of Circus 68, during
which W/C Douglas Bader was lost. He claimed a Bf 109 near Campagne, but
was shot down himself by Karl Borris of 6./JG 26. He managed to survive,
but lost an eye, and escaped via Spain to the UK. He died in 1981. Jean
Offenberg DFC "Pyker" 17
June 1941/22 January 1942 "Pyker"
was one of the few Belgian pilots who managed to shoot down a German
plane during the invasion in May 1940. He joined the RAF, flew during
the Battle of Britain, was transferred to 609 where he received the DFC
(first Belgian to get this award) and became CO of B-flight. On July 7,
1941 he shot down a Bf 109 near Le Touquet. He
was killed when his Spitfire Spitfire AB188 "PR-Y" collided
with a Spitfire of 92 Sq. over Digby (Blackney Heath). His
diary was published after the war. Duxford 1942, Belgian minister Camille Gutt visits the Belgian 609'ers. (L. to R.) Raymond "Cheval" Lallemant, Vicky Ortmans, Jean de Selys, André Blanco, François de Spirlet, C. Gutt, Raymond Roelandt, Remy Van Lierde
Christian
Ortmans 25
August 1941-1942 Killed
in 615 Sq. on April 1, 1943. Victor
Ortmans DFC "Vicky" 12
April 1941/1942 Brother
of Christian flew during the Battle of Britain in 229 Sq., where he
scored three victories. Vicky
Ortmans was the first Belgian to shoot down an enemy; a Bf 109 over Deal
on May 21, 1941. On June 4th he claimed another one over
Dover and a third Messerschmitt was claimed on June 30, near Lille. On
August 18 he scored another victory. He
was killed in a Tiger Moth in 1950. Raymond
Parthoens 25
October 1944/9 December 1944 Ex
Aé. Mil. Joined the RAF in 1943, but only flew six weeks in 609. On
December 9, 1944, he was killed when his Typhoon MN150 was lost in bad
weather near Gorinchem (Almkerk). Gaston
Remy 1
April 1945 - 1 October 1945 Only
saw a short time combat in the squadron but managed to destroy in 35
missions five locomotives and three trains. After
the war Remy flew for Sobelair, he passed away in 1992. Joseph
Renier DFC 18
August 1942 - 15 December 1943 Ex
Aé Mil. Joined the RAF in 1942. Died in 1983. Robert
Roelandt 16
April 1942 - 26 August 1944 An
experienced Belgian army pilot, "Balbo" Roelandt joined the
RAF in 1941. During his second tour in 609 he was shot down by Flak near
St. Hellier, (Rouen) on August 26, 1944 Eugene
Seghers DFC "Strop" 15
April 1941 - 16 September 1941 Flew
n the Battle of Britain and was one of the first Belgians to join 609
Sq. Shot down a Bf 109 near
Cassel on July 11, 1941. He
was killed in his Spitfire RM479 (91 Sq.) near Uckfield (New Road -
Essex) whilst intercepting a V-1 Flying Bomb, Pierre
Soesman 9
November 1943 - 11 May 1944 Tried
to ditch his Typhoon MN496 on May 11, 1944 during an attack on a German
radar station. He has no known grave. Louis
Van Arenberg 23
September 1941 - 14 December 1941 After
a short time in 609, Louis Van Arenberg became a flying instructor, but
was killed near Snailwell in 1945. Jean-Noël
Van Daele 28
July 1944/28 September 1944 Killed
near Alblasserdam on September 28, 1944 in Typhoon MN954. Remi
Van Lierde DFC & 2 Bars "Mony" 6
January 1942/22 December 1943 With
Lallemant, one of the most outstanding Typhoon pilots ever. Claimed six
victories in 609: January 20, 1943 (FW 190 near Dungeness); March 26 (Ju
52 near his birth place, over Ath), May 14 (a He 111 over Ostend); July
30 (a Bf 109 near Zandvoort); October 5 (a Ju 88 over France); November
30 (a Bf 110 near Hasselt) Became the Manston Gunnery leader, returned
to 3 Sq., where he shot down 20+ V-1’s, and became CO of 194 Sq. Mony
Van Lierde passed away in 1983. Willy
Van Lierde 15
April 1941 - 16 June 1941 Flew
during the Battle of Britain, spent two months in 609 and became a
flying instructor. Maurice
Vanneste 16
March 1943 - 30 April 43 Missing
in the North Sea since April 30, 1943, when his Typhoon R8883
"PR-K” crashed for unknown reasons. Etienne
Van Zuylen van Neyevelt 23
March 1943 - 6 April Missing
in the North Sea whilst trying to ditch his DN416 "PR-P" on
April 6, 1943. Georges
Watelet 11
May 1943 - 17 November 1943 Shot
down by FW over France on November 17, 1943 (Typhoon JR191); managed to
escape. Jean-Dennis
Wathieu 12
September 1944/2 February 1945 Shot
down by Flak near Weeze on February 25, 1944 in Typhoon MN178
"PR-V" but survived. Died in 1985. Robert
Wilmet "Bob" 17
April 1941 - 9 October 1942 Flew
during the Battle of Britain, transferred to 349 “Belgian” Squadron
but died in Ikeja in 1943. Joseph Zegers 11
May 1943 - 3 January 1944 Shot
down by FW 190’s of JG 26 on January 3, 1944 (Typhoon JP425
"PR-B") near Doullens/Pommiers.
"Billy the Goat", 609's mascot surrounded by Belgians. Cynrik De Decker
Sources
: Operations
Record Book 609 Squadron Under
the white rose – Ziegler Info provided by Jean-Louis Roba and Guy Dewin
Last updated 25/11/04 11:42 by Daniel Brackx |
