Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

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daveh
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Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#1

Post by daveh » 24 Aug 2008, 16:51

Fate of each Belgian aircraft

Given the relatively small size of the Belgian Air Force I was wondering if anyone had attempted or managed to list the fate of all the front line Belgian aircraft up to and during the 18 day campaign.

I know that C Shore's Fledgling Eagles mentions a number of incidents involving damage and destruction of Belgian aircraft while intercepting Luftwaffe AND RAF intruders into Belgian air space.

I have been told that The Battle of France Then and Now by Peter D. Cornwell details the day by day losses for the period 3-9-39 to 28-5-40 and beyond. Can anyone confirm that the details included the aircraft number e.g. Hurricane H 23 and that non combat as well as combat losses are noted.

I foolishly think that if no one else has tried I could give it a go. I would try to cover

1) Hawker Hurricanes:
a) Trying to can pin down the actual number there were including those not serviceable on 10-5-40, and their dates of delivery/production
b) Ex RAF Hurricanes taken over and used by the Belgians.
c) List the numbers of the serviceable aircraft
d) List the numbers of the unserviceable aircraft
e) Any combat successes

2) Gloster Gladiators
a) Try to identify any RAF numbers if any were ex RAF stock.
b) Dates of delivery
c) List the numbers of the serviceable aircraft
d) List the numbers of the unserviceable aircraft
e) Any combat successes

3) Fiat C.R.42
a) Dates of delivery
b) List the numbers of the serviceable aircraft
c) List the numbers of the unserviceable aircraft
d) Any combat successes

4) Fairey Battle
a) Dates of delivery
b) List the numbers of the serviceable aircraft
c) List the numbers of the unserviceable aircraft
d) Any combat successes

I don’t know if I will attempt anything with the many and varied Fairey Foxes, Fireflies and Renard R31. With any luck someone will already have done this and I won’t have to!!!

If anyone can provide on line sources in addition to
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/fox.htm
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_belgium.htm
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator.htm
and any site just listing aircraft types used or OOB for the Belgian Air Force

it would be much appreciated.

daveh
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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#2

Post by daveh » 10 Sep 2008, 13:58

ok as no one else seems to have tried here goes

Belgian Hurricanes
Part 1 How many Hurricanes

The combination of weak AA defences and the rapid destruction of its already weak fighter force meant that the Belgian Army lost control of its air space from the start of the German invasion. This allowed the Luftwaffe to inflict significant losses and disruption on Belgian units especially during the various planned, and forced, withdrawals and retreats during the 18 day campaign.

In an attempt to modernise their fighter force the Belgians ordered 20 Hurricanes. The Belgians also obtained a licence to build a further 80 Hurricanes and had delivered 1 to the air force by 10-5-40 with another being flight tested

It is uncertain as to how many were actually delivered (15 seems to be the generally accepted figure) but it is agreed that on 10-5-40 only 11 Hurricanes were still serviceable. These were all based at Schaffen as part of 2/I/2 Ae (No. 2 Squadron of No. 1 Group of No. 2 Air Regiment).

The Belgians also interned a number of RAF Hurricanes during the phoney war period which they incorporated into their Air Force.

RAF Hurricanes interned:

10-11-39 87 Sqd L1619 ran out of fuel and landed in Belgium H35
see http://www.brakke.be/forum/viewtopic.php?t=980? for pic H36
I have no other details for H36 but it never seems to have become operational.
14-11-39 87 Sqd L1628 forced landed in bad weather H37
87 Sqd L1813 forced landed in bad weather H38
9-12-39 43 Sqd N2361 became lost and landed in Belgium H39


During the period 3-9-39 the Belgian Hurricanes operated patrols over Belgian air space intercepting both RAF and Luftwaffe intruders. Some of these interceptions led to damage or loss to the Hurricanes

Losses
28-2-40 H28 Badly damaged on landing 28-2-40 and written off
2-3-40 H26 Shot down by a Do17 of 1.(F)/22
2-3-40 H39 Ground looped and written off

Damaged
2-3-40 H33 Damaged by a Do17 of 1.(F)/22
2-3-40 H35 Damaged by a Do17 of 1.(F)/22
27-4-40 H25 Nosed over on landing

Other aircraft were no doubt unserviceable on 10-5-40, e.g.
H27 is noted on http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_belgium.htm as awaiting a propeller to make it serviceable

Sources differ (of course) but it seems that by 10-5-40 the Belgians had produced 3 Hurricanes

Belgian production
H41 finished but not flown
H42 delivered to the air force
H43 first test flight 9-5-40

Hurricane deliveries

H20 L1918 delivered April 1939
H21 L1919 delivered April 1939
H22 L1920 delivered April 1939
H23 L1993 delivered June 1939
H24 L1994 delivered June 1939
H25 L1995 delivered June 1939
H26 L1996 delivered June 1939
H27 L1997 delivered June 1939
H28 L2040 delivered June 1939
H29 L2041 delivered June 1939
H30 L2042* delivered June 1939
H31 L2043* delivered June 1939
H32 L2044* delivered June 1939
H33 L2105 delivered November 39**
H34 L2106 deilvered November 39**

H35 L1619 ex RAF
H36 ? ex RAF
H37 L1628 ex RAF
H38 L1813 ex RAF
H39 N2361 ex RAF

H 41 Belgian produced
H42 Belgian produced
H43 Belgian produced

* another source gives the codes as L1942, L1943 and L1944
** these aircraft seem to be have part of a Finnish order 2 of which went to the Belgians and the rest fo the Belgian order ((L2107 to L2111 inclusive) were retained by the RAF. If correct this would acount for the 20 Hurricanes the Belgians ordered, and the 15 they actually got.

Having listed the Hurricanes bought/built/interned by the Belgians part 2 will try and list their fates


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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#3

Post by daveh » 10 Sep 2008, 17:27

Losses of Belgian Hurricanes

H20 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H21 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H22 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H23 Escaped Schaffen 10-5-40. Lost Le Cuset 11-5-40
H24 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 fuel tank explodes, while under repair?
H25 Nosed over on landing 27-4-40. under repair 10-5-40?
H26 Shot down by a Do17 of 1.(F)/22 on 2-3-40
H27 damaged Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack. repaired flew to Le Culet and lost there 11-5-40
H28 Badly damaged on landing 28-2-40 and written off
H29 Escaped Shaffen 10-5-40. Lost Le Culet 11-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H30 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H31 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H32 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H33 Damaged by a Do17 of 1.(F)/22 on 2-3-40. under repair?
H34 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H35 Damaged by a Do17 of 1.(F)/22 on 2-3-40. under repair 10-5-40?
H36 being rebuilt?
H37 ?
H38 ?
H39 ground looped 2-3-40 and written off

H 41 "standing apart" from the 11 serviceable aircraft, not as yet flown?
H42 Lost Schaffen 10-5-40 Luftwaffe attack
H43 built and being flight tested. first flight 9-5-40.

One source notes 2 Hurricanes under repair in hangers at Schaffen were lost when the hangers collapsed but no numbers given

Of 21 known Hurricanes

8 operational Hurricanes lost at Schaffen
1 operational damaged,repaired and lost 11-5-40
2 operational Hurricanes escaped Schaffen, lost 11-5-40
3 lost pre 10-5-40
1 being rebuilt (H36)
4 lost while under repair/unserviceable (including H24?)
2 unknown (H37 and H38)
Total 21

This does not agree with all the sources i have seen e.g. one gives H34 as escpaing Schaffen on 10-5-40 but the above seems to reconcile the various sources I have to the greatest extent.

Successes
I have one attack made by H23 against He111s on 10-5-40 during which H23 was damaged

Corrections and added information are most welcome

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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#4

Post by daveh » 12 Sep 2008, 17:51

Belgian Gladiators

22 ordered summer 1937 and delivered September 1937 onwards.

15 on strength 10-5-40, with 14 belonging to 1/I/2. Aé lined up at Schaffen early am 10-5 (the 15th serviceable Gladiator was presumably G18)
2 had been lost pre war
5 under repair/unserviceable

10-5-40
Those at Schaffen were ordered into the air early morning 10-5-40 with the Luftwaffe attacks starting as the last few attempted take off. Only one was damaged during take off under strafing attack (this aircraft was hit in the wheel and crashed into Hurricane H 20) and was later destroyed.

At 09:55, ten Bf109s from 3./JG 27 run into Gladiators over Tirlemont. Leutnant Erwin Axthelm and Unteroffizier Heinrich Belcher claimed two. One Belgian pilot baled out and deployed his parachute.
At 10:33, three more Gladiators were claimed by Oberleunant Georg Schneider (victory no. 3), Leutnant Hans-Ekkehard Bob (victory no. 1 of a total of 60) and Feldwebel Leykauf (victory no. 1 of a total of 33) from 3./JG21 (as 9./JG54) over Tongeren when their unit's Bf109s were escorting a gaggle of Ju87s to the west of Maastricht.
However all these clashes seem to have resulted in the loss of only one Gladiator.

In all, twelve Gladiators arrived at Beauvechain

11-5-40
Early morning on 11-5-40 a bombing attack by Battles was planned against bridges over the Meuse. 6 of the surviving Gladiators were allocated as escorts
During this mission five German pilots (all from 1./JG21) claimed seven victories in the Maastricht area:
- Leutnant Günter-Erwin Mann (06.50 h)
- Leutnant Ludwig Franzisket (06.53 h) (victory 1 of totally 43)
- Hauptmann Wilhelm Balthasar (06.55, 06.58 and one more during the same mission) (victory 1-3 of totally 47)
- Unteroffizier Heinz Gillert (07.01 h)
- Unteroffizier Emil Clade (07.01 h)
Only four Gladiators of 1/I/2. Aé were however lost:
- Sergent André Pirlot (MIA) was shot down in flames.
- 1er Sergent Denys Rolin (POW) was shot down but saved himself in parachute but was taken prisoner.
- Sergent Henri Clinquart (KIA) was shot down in flames.
- Capitaine Max Guisgand made a forced landing in a field close to Waremme after that his Gloster had been damaged by enemy fire and he was wounded in the face. The aircraft was later burned.
The other 2 Gladiators were damaged but returned to base and were deemed repairable.

In the early afternoon between 14.07 and 14.32 Messerschmitts destroyed seven Gladiators. A second attack between 16.30 and 17.00 by He111s destroyed one more Gladiator.

Those just damaged were abandoned that night

Belgian Gladiator losses
G17
G18 personal aircraft of Général Hiernaux, C-in-C of l'Aviation Militaire. Given to 1/I/2 but never armed.
G19 11-5-40 shot down while escorting Fairey Battles of 5/III/3
G20
G21
G22 11-5-40 shot down while escorting Fairey Battles of 5/III/3
G23
G24
G25
G26
G27 11-5-40 hit and damaged while escorting Fairey Battles of 5/III/3, force landed and later burnt
G28 9-12-39 crashed as a result of malfunctioning oxygen equipment
G29
G30
G31 11-5-40 Damaged while escorting Fairey Battles of 5/III/3. Repairable. Destroyed on ground, strafed at Le Culot
G32 11-5-40 Damaged while escorting Fairey Battles of 5/III/3. Repairable. Destroyed on ground, strafed at Le Culot
G33
G34 11-5-40 shot down while escorting Fairey Battles of 5/III/3
G35 19-4-40 crashed into the sea, cause unknown.
G36
G37
G38 11-5-40 Destroyed on ground, strafed at Le Culot

2 pre war losses

1 lost 10-5-40 air combat u/k code

12 surviving 11-5-40
4 lost while escorting Battles 11-5-40
7+1 lost on ground 11-5-40 u/k codes

the 5 unserviceable aircraft on 10-5-40 were probably abandoned during the various retreats. Codes unknown

Note 12 aircraft fates are onknown and 11 aircraft were lost in the attack on Le Culot probably meaning there is only 1 aircraft with an unknown fate.

Successes
10-5-40 3 Gladiators broke up a formation of enemy bombers over Tirlemont.

11-5-40 while escorting Battles 1er Sergent Winand claimed a damaged Bf109 and 1er Sergent Rolin was credited with one Bf109 probable damaged both from 1./JG1.
The only known loss suffered by I/JG1 on 11 May was a plane of 3/JG1, which ran out of fuel and made a forced landing near Achen and was 70% destroyed.

See Gloster Gladiator in the Belgian Air Force
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_belgium.htm
Last edited by daveh on 15 Sep 2008, 16:37, edited 1 time in total.

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Simon K
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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#5

Post by Simon K » 12 Sep 2008, 20:38

Great info Daveh, and never been documented before.

daveh
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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#6

Post by daveh » 15 Sep 2008, 16:28

Fiat CR.42

34 Fiat CR.42 were ordered from Italy to equip 2 15 plane Escadrilles with the remaining 4 serving as attrition replacements. The first arrived in Belgium on 6-3-40 and the 2 Escadrille started transition training in April 1940.

By 10-5-40 the Aéronautique Militaire had accepted 25 CR.42s, 15 going to 3/II/2 and 9 to 4/II/2 including 1 delivered on 10-5-40., R 27 was undergoing tests to cure a propeller vibration fault.
Of the CR42.s delivered by 10-5-40 14 were serviceable with 3/II/2 and 9 serviceable with 4/II/2. The peacetime base was Nivelles and the war time base was Brustem. The move to the war time base was made early morning 10-5-40.

Belgian Fiat CR.42 losses
R1 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R2 10-5-40 Being service in hanger at Nivelles. Damaged by 4./StG2. Repairable but abandoned.
R3 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R4 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R5 ?
R6 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R7 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R8 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R9 30-4-40 lost during dog fight practice.
R10 ?
R11 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R12 ?
R13 Re numbered R43
R14 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R15 ?
R16 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R17 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R18 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R19 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R20 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s
R21 10-5-40 Being service in hanger at Nivelles. Damaged by 4./StG2. Repairable but abandoned.
R22 ?
R23 3-6-40 destroyed by bombing
R24 found intact at Bordeaux Merignac end of campaign
R25 ?
R26 19-5-40 bombed and destroyed Chatres
R27 10-5-40 in hanger as work was needed on propeller problems. Damaged by 4./StG2. Repairable but abandoned.
R28 3-6-40 destroyed by bombing
R29 found intact at Bordeaux Merignac end of campaign
R30 10-5-40 overturned on landing. repairable but abandoned
R31 intact at Bordeaux Merignac, in transit?
R32 intact at Bordeaux Merignac, in transit?
R33 intact at Bordeaux Merignac, in transit?
R34 ? never delivered
R43 10-5-40 written off after attack on Brustem base by Bf 109s and later Ju87s

1 lost pre war

10-5-40
14 lost at Brustem all from 3/II/2
3 lost at Nivelles
1 overturned on landing

10-5-40 1 lost in air combat. Code number unknown. Flown by Sergent Delannay
10-5-40 2 CR.42s damaged by strafing Bf109s, Brustem. Unclear if these were included in those later destroyed at Brustem
14-5-40 2 CR.42s damaged in air combat. Repairable but abandoned. Code numbers unknown
15-5-40 1CR42 lost in combat with Bf109s

6 surviving Fiat CR.42s (R23, R24, R26, R28, R29 and 1 other) withdrawn to France 14-5-40 and operated to defend Chartres area.

R24, R29 and 1 other were found intact at Bordeaux Merignac together with the new R31, R32 and R33

Summary of fates

1 lost pre war
14 lost at Brustem
3 lost at Nivelles
1 overturned and abandoned
2 shot down Codes unknown
1 bombed Chartres 19-5-40
2 bombed 3-6-40
3 code unknown fate unclear.? damaged and abandoned?
3 survived (1 code unknown)
3 new
1 never delivered

Total
6 aircraft of uncertain fate but which include 1 surviving, 2 shot down.
22 aircraft lost, fate and codes known
2 survived, codes known
3 new never used
1 never delivered
Total 34 = number ordered

The above is based mainly on
Cornwell Battle of France Then and Now
with further details from http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_belgium.htm. The latter includes details of missions flown by the CR42.s and the claimed successes (these are quoted below).

Successes
On 28 June Belgium asked Germany for an armistice. By then IIème Group had flown 35 operational missions and claimed 5 aerial victories for the loss of only two Fiats in combat.

Callatay scored hits on a Ju52 near Alken at 05.30. this aircraft crash landed.

Goffin damaged a Bf109, which left the fray trailing a long plume of smoke. This plane appears to have been a Bf109E flown by Leutnant Erwin Dutel from 2/JG1, whose aircraft was hit and he was forced to bale out over Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen).

Offenberg claimed one destroyed Do17, and fired on one other aircraft, which dived away. One of the aircraft he shot at was a Dornier Do17 of II/KG77, which was damaged east of Waremme at 06.30 (there are some confusion regarding Offenberg's claims and some sources only credits him with a damaged Do17).

Jean Maes damaged a Dornier Do17 of II/KG77, near St Trond at 06.30. This claim is not confirmed.

de Mérode returning from his escort mission, spotted a Do17 (probably the plane that flew over the field) and he claimed it shot down in flames near Waremme at 14.40. This aircraft was a Dol7P flown by Oberleutnant V. Schaezler from 2(F)/l23 that made a belly landing at Mönchengladbach.

14-5-40
Capitaine Jean de Callatay claimed destroyed one Bf109E
1er Sergent Marcel Michotte. claimed damaged one Bf109E

Sergent E. de Moerlose claimed a damaged enemy Do17.

15-5-40
Goffin shot down a Bf109 near Mechelen.

3-6-40
Lieutenant Charles Goffin claimed damaged enemy bomber (Do17?) near Chartres

1er Sergent Alexis Jottard claimed damaged enemy bomber (Do17?) near Chartres

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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#7

Post by daveh » 16 Sep 2008, 17:50

Fairey Battles

Sixteen Fairey Battles ordered for the Belgian Aéronautique Militaire in 1938 all of which were delivered. On 10-5-40 they equipped 5/III/3 Aé
Peacetime base: Brussels Evère
Wartime base: Belcele

Fairey Battles
T58 11-5-40 shot down by fighters during attack on the bridges
T59 8-12-39 Hit trees during a ground attack exercise and written off
T60 11-5-40 severely damaged by Bf110 during attack on the bridges
T61 11-5-40 Exploded after being hit by AA fire during attack on the bridges
T62 11-5-40 shot down by AA fire during attack on the bridges
T63 10-5-40 damaged at Brussels-Evere and abandoned

T64 11-5-40 damaged by AA fire during attack on the bridges.
12-5-40 Damaged by ground fire during recce mission
14-5-40 hit by Allied and German AA fire and written off

T65 10-5-40 Bombed and damaged at Brussel-Evere
18-5-40 bombed and written off Aalter

T66 10-5-40 destroyed by bombing at Belcele

T67 10-5-40 wing tip damaged during taxying, repairable.
18-5-40 bombed and written off Aalter

T68 11-5-40 crippled by AA fire during attack on the bridges

T69 10-5-40 suffered slight damage from bombing Belcele.
18-5-40 bombed and written off Aalter

T70 11-5-40 Hit by AA fire and caught fire during attack on the bridges

T71 11-5-40 Hit by Belgian ground fire during attack on the bridges
12-5-40 Damaged by ground fire during recce mission and written off

T72 10-5-40 Bombed and damaged at Brussel-Evere
18-5-40 bombed and written off Aalter

T73 11-5-40 Damaged by AA fire during attack on the bridges
17-5-40 Damaged by AA fire
18-5-40 bombed and written off Aalter

Fairey Battles in the 18 day campaign
12 Battles left their peacetime base at Brussels Evere for their wartime base at Belcele in the early morning of 10-5-40. 3 aircraft were left behind as unserviceable (T63, T65, T72) and these were all later bombed and damaged. The Belcele base was attacked at 0540 on 10-5-40 which resulted in the loss of T66 and damage to T69. The surviving 10 Battles then moved to Aalter. T67 needed repairs after a taxying accident but I am unsure if this happened at Belcele or Aalter, the latter seems lightly likelier.

On the morning of 11-5-40 all the serviceable Battles (9 in all)were sent against the bridges at Vroenhoven, Veldwezelt and Briedgen

The 9 available Battles were formed into 3 flights
T58, T60 and T73 Target Veldwezelt bridge
T61, T64 and T70 Target Vroenhoven bridge
T62, T68 and T71 Target Briedgen bridge

An escort of 6 Gladiators was planned.
Accounts differ as to the exact details of this raid but it appears that 6 aircraft were lost and 3 damaged to a greater or lesser extent. The Battles achieved some near misses against the Veldwezelt bridge.

After the raid the Battle force was so reduced that future operations consisted of recce missions undertaken by individual aircraft. One source states that on 15-5-40 a Battle left at Brussels Evere was repaired and flown to Aalter together with an RAF Battle abandoned at that base. It seems the RAF machine was never used. It seems from the fates listed above that of the 3 aircraft left at Brussels Evere due to being unserviceable and later damaged in Luftwaffe attacks, T65 and T72 were at some point repaired as they both ended up being destroyed at Aalter. I have no information as to which might have been recovered on 15-5-40.

As can be seen from the above lists work was undertaken to repair damaged aircraft which were then used primarily in the recce role. It is possible that an attack undertaken by T73 against an infantry column in the early evening of 17-5-40 led to an attack by the Luftwaffe against the Battle’s base at Aalter. This attack destroyed the 5 remaining operational Battles.

Summary of fates

1 lost pre war

1 bombed on ground 10-5-40
1 damaged by bombing and abandoned 10-5-40

bridge attack:
2 shot down /written off after attack by fighters
4 shot down /written off due to AA fire
(3 damaged by AA fire but repairable)

1 damaged and written off due to AA fire 12-5-40
1 damaged and written off due to AA fire 14-5-40

5 bombed on ground 18-5-40

Losses by cause
1 lost pre war
7 lost on ground
6 lost due to AA fire
2 lost to fighters

Total 16

.

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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#8

Post by daveh » 17 Sep 2008, 18:45

Renard R31

The only Belgian designed aircraft to see service in the 18 day campaign. 38 were built in 1935-6 but only 21 were serviceable on 10-5-40.
9/V/1
11 serviceable aircraft
peace time base Bierset wartime base Wilderen
attached to Corps de Cavalerie

11/VI/1
10 serviceable aircraft (some sources give 8)
peacetime base Bierset wartime base Hannut
attached to Ier Corps d'Armée
and later VIe Corps d'Armée

R1 10-5-40 unserviceable. Destroyed on ground by bombing Brussels Evere
R2
R3 15-5-40 Damaged by AA fire, disabled and written off
R4
R5
R6
R7 destroyed on ground at Wilderen by Hs 123s of II(S)/LG2

R8 11-5-40 Damaged by ground fire.
18-5-40 hit by Bf 109 and crashes. written off

R9 10-5-40 hit by ground fire, repairable but abandoned

R10 24-5-40 hit by Allied ground fire
26-5-40 crashes on landing and written off

R11
R12
R13
R14 10-5-40 unserviceable. Destroyed on ground by bombing Brussels Evere
R15
R16 15-5-40 crashed on take off written off
R17
R18 hit by Bf 109. written off
R19 Hit by AA fire, crashed on landing and written off
R20
R21
R22

R23 18-5-40 Hit and damaged by AA fire
26-5-40 crashed on landing

R24
R25
R26
R27
R28
R29 30-9-39 crashed
R30 13-5-40 badly damaged by AA fire and written off
R31 6-3-40 Forced landing on beach and written off
R32

R33 20-5-40 Damaged by AA fire
21-5-40 Shot down by AA fire

R34
R35 10-5-40 unserveable , bombed and destroyed on ground at Bierat

In addition there are the following losses, unidentified as yet by number

13-4-40 badly damaged from unknown cause. written off
16-5-40 Damaged by AA fire, crashed written off
18-5-40 Damaged by AA fire, repairable
23-5-40 Shot down by ground fire
26-5-40 Damaged by AA fire, repairable
27-5-40 Damaged by AA fire and written off

28-5-40 4 surviving R31s of 9/V/1 destroyed prior to surrender, Lombard Zijde
5 surviving R31s of 11/VI/1 destroyed prior to surrender, Steene Ostend

Although 38 were R31s built R35 is the highest number I have information for. The R31 had a reputation for being a difficult aircraft to fly (see e.g. R29 and R16) and so several aircraft may well have been written off/lost pre 3-9-39.

There are 19 R31s listed with codes but no associated fates and 13 known losses with no associated coded aircraft.
Possibly a further 3 aircraft (R 36 - R38?) to make up the known production run of 38 aircraft.
The loss of 2 R31s in the 8 months of the phoney war and the loss of e.g. R16 in the war seems to make the loss a number(9?) aircraft pre war quite possible.

Summary of losses
2 lost phoney war
4 lost on the ground (3 unserviceable)
8 lost due to AA fire
2 lost due to fighters
3 crashed not directly linked to AA or fighter damage.
1 lost unknown cause
9 deliberately destroyed by Belgians (note these may have included damaged aircraft)
Total 29

Losses occurred throughout the 18 day campaign the largest numbers happening on the first day of the campaign with 5 lost including 3 unserviceable on the ground and the last day when 9 were deliberately destroyed. The loss of 1 or 2 R31s can be seen on 8 of the 18 days of the campaign reflecting the use of R31s as typically single aircraft undertaking tactical recce missions.

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#9

Post by daveh » 20 Sep 2008, 19:59

Prototypes, Planned types, Training, Transport and "minor" types used by or ordered for the Belgian Air Force in May 1940

Based on the listing given on http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/B ... 9_1945.htm
Colour drawings and brief specifications can be found of most of these types on
http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-A ... elgium.htm

Airspeed Oxford I
1 purchased
Code : O(?)-1
Used 1939-1940
One Airspeed Oxford I was bought by the Aéronautique Militaire in 1939 for communications and multi-engine training.

Avro 504N
52 purchased and used 1934-1940
Codes: X1 - X52
Used: 1934-1940
Twelve Avro 504Ns in service with Belgian Aeronautique Militaire until May 1940 were evacuated to France

Avro 626
12 purchased
Codes A1 to A12 I
Used c 1934-1940
In the early thirties the Belgian Government decided to acquire some 12 Avro 626 Perfect (Tutor) aircraft for advanced training at the Pilot School based at Wevelgem.
source http://belmilac.wetpaint.com/page/Avro+ ... ect?t=anon
also has pics

A-1
? date: Damaged overturned on landing, Further details not known.

A-4
12-5-40: Accident on airbase of Tours. Lt. LOMBARD

A-5
Lost, date unknown, : Cat.5 at Wevelgem: Pilot Jeanmart killed.

A-7
Date unknown: Ground collision with Fairey Fox O-??. Damage unknown

A-8
?-6-40: Transferred to French authorities at Oran la Sénia (Algeria).

A-12
23-4-36: Cat.5 at St-Denijs-Westrem: Lost speed and crashed on the airfield during a cross-country test (Wevelgem –St. Denijs – Oostende – Wevelgem) in which the pilot had to fly low over the examiner on the ground. Sgt. Paul HOUGARDY killed.(born at Flémalle in 1912)

Breguet 694
32 ordered, 1 prototype delivered 1-6-40
No code issued
The 1 prototype reportedly given to the French

The Bréguet 690 was modified on request of the Belgian authorities. In 1939 a total of 32 aircraft were ordered to replace the obsolete reconnaissance Foxes of II/3. 31 aircraft were to be built by Sabca for delivery from late 1940 into 1941.

The prototype (Bre.694.01) made its first flight on 20 January 1940 at Villacoublay . This 1 aircraft was delivered to the Belgians at Villacoublay in France and was accepted by lt. Jacques Philippart on 1-6-40.

Breguet XIX A2/B2
153 in service over the period 1925-1940
Codes: B1 - B153
Used: from 1925 to 1940

produced under licence in Belgium by SABCA.

Brewster B 339 Buffalo
40 ordered
No code issued
None delivered

On 11 December 1939 a contract for 40 Brewster 339B (export version of the F2A-2) aircraft was signed.
In June 1940 one aircraft was delivered in crates at Bordeaux-Mérignac. It was assembled and test flown there.

code number 56
April 1940: Manufactured
10-5-40: Rolled out
May 1940: Test Flown at Roosevelt Field (Long Island, NY, US) as NX-56B
May 1940: Shipped to Belgium, but diverted to Bordeaux.
28-5-40: Arrived at Bordeaux.

Bulté RB-30 Sport
1 impressed 27-8-39
ex OO-ANA
used 8-39 to 5-40

Caproni Ca 312
Belgium ordered 24 Ca 312s, but the outbreak of WWII prevented delivery

Caudron Simoun
4 used in 1940

Caudron C444 Goéland
2 ordered and delivered
Codes C1 and C2
Used: 1938 -1940

In 1938, two Caudron Goéland light transports were ordered by the Aéronautique Militaire
C1 pic on http://bahamilitary.fotopic.net/c356778.html

Caudron Phalène

1 Caudron Phalène was requisitioned in 1940 by the Weermacht/Force Publique for use in Belgian Congo
Code unknown
Used: 1940-1942

Cierva C30A Autogiro
1 purchased May 1935, UK
code number 818
1936: arrived in Belgium
Tested by the 1er Régiment d'Aéronautique, flown by three pilots : Capt.Dankers, Lt.Firmin Capron (5Sqn) and Adj.Georges Dizy. The tests were unsatisfactory and no order followed. The autogiro was put in a hangar and stored.

10-5-40: destroyed by a German bombing attack on Bierset

De Havilland DH.60G Moth
1 impressed into the Aéronautique Militaire on 26 August 1939
Code: OO-GUY as a civil aircraft, none as military
Used 1939-1940
Served as a "hack" for 6/III/2 Aé.

De Havilland DH.90A Dragonfly
1 requisitioned on 10 September 1939 by the Aéronautique Militaire
Code: OO-JFN (c/n 7561) as a civil aircraft, none as military
Used 1939-1940

Served as "avion estafette" or liaison aircraft together with its pilot/owner John Mahieu . After the Germans invaded Belgium the aircraft was evacuated to Montpellier-Frégorgues in France were it was abandoned when France surrendered.

Douglas DB-7 B3
16 of the first production batch for the French order of DB-7s were diverted to the Belgians. None delivered prior to the Belgian surrender and they were taken over by the UK.
No codes allocated.
Never received.

Fokker FVIIb
Purchased/Impressed 7/ 2 in Congo
Codes: F1 -F7
Used: 1932 on
Fokker FVIIb n° F-1 was delivered to the Aéronautique Militaire in 1932 and although normally based at Evere, it was mostly used at Bierset where it formed the nucleus of a night-bombardement squadron which in the event never materialized.

Early 1934 two more Fokker FVIIb's (F2 and F3) were taken over by the Aéronautique Militaire from the national airline Sabena. Both machines are readily distinguishable by their two blade propellers on the wing engines. Used by 3/I/3Aé Squadron.

In 1938 Sabena handed over four more Fokkers which received the serials F-4 to F-7.

Congo
Fokker FVII/3m OO-AIV served with Sabena Congo before WW2. Requisitioned 10-40 by the Weermacht/Force Publique to serve alongside the British Forces in the campaign to push the Italians out of Ethiopia.
Other aircraft code not known

Koolhoven FK56
Ordered 20 , received 12
Codes K1 and up, K 101 and up
Used 1940
Ordered early 1940 deliveries started in February 1940. 12 had been delivered by 10-5-40
used as advanced trainers.

LACAB-GR.8
1 prototype built
No code
First flown on 22 February 1936

This was a twin-engined biplane bomber the prototype being built by LACAB (Les Ateliers de Construction Aéronautiques Belges). Although the Aéronautique Militaire bought it, it was never adopted for service use

May 1940 the GR.8 was found by the Germans in a hangar at Evere airfield

http://ww2drawings.jexiste.fr/Files/2-A ... B-GR.8.htm

Morane Saulnier MS 230/236
23 purchased
codes: M1 - M23
Used: from 1932

A Trainer and liaison aircraft

according to wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morane-Saulnier_MS-230) 9 MS 230s were purchased and 19 MS 236 (effectively a re engined MS230) built under licence for Belgian Air Force by SABCA, first flown July 1932
Another source (http://gregers.7.forumer.com/viewtopic. ... 86d4f23875) mentions an MS.236 marked 'M-23' as being the last one of 23 delivered to the Aviation Militaire Belge in 1932.


Percival P.10 Vega Gull
1 (owned by Mr. d'Hansez) requisitioned by the Belgian Government during the "Drôle de Guerre".
Code OO-ANC as a civil aircraft, none as military.
Used: 3-9-39-11-5-40

The Percival Vega Gull was destroyed at Beauvechain airfield on the 11th of May 1940 by the Luftwaffe attack.

Potez 33
8 ordered and received
Code: Z1 to Z8
Used: 1930-1940

The Potez 33 was a military derivative of the commercial airliner (4 passengers) Potez 32, itself being a development of the Potez 29 biplane. The Belgian Aéronautique Militaire/Militair Vliegwezen ordered 8 Potez 33's around 1931. Issued to the Schools and some Observation Regiments. They allowed the training of future observers in their reconnaissance tasks as well as in the use of the TSF (radio). As most Belgian observers also had a secondary task as gunner, they could also train their shooting skills with the dorsal turret which was already equipped with a gun camera

In the observation units the Potez 33 was mainly used as a liaison and transport aircraft. In time of war, most of these units were detached to rudimentary equipped "war"-airfield and the Potez came in handy to commute between those fields and the main logistical home-base. The following Observation-Units using Potez 33's have been identified by means of pictures: 5/III/1Aé (Hirondelle) (Z-2), 3/II/1Aé (Feuille de Houx) (Z-7) and 7/IV/1Aé (Mephisto).

By 1940 only one Potez remained operational, being detached to the Gunnery school at Oostende from 28 April 1940 onwards. With the start of the hostilities on 10 May 1940 the school evacuated to France and the last of the Belgian Potez 33's was abandoned at Pau (F.) in June.

P.Z.L.P.37
Negotiations were started in the summer of 1939 by Ateliers Renard to obtain a licence to produce this aircraft. Little progress had been made prior to the invasion of Poland.

Renard R32
In order to improve the R.31 observation aircraft, Renard developed the R.32.
The 10th production R 31 was modified being given a longer glass house cockpit, modified fin and a Gnome et Rhône radial engine of c 1065 hp. This version did not prove to provide any great improvement in performance over the R31. The aircraft was then re engined with an Hispano Suiza 12Ydrs in line engine of 830hp.
This second version crashed on its delivery flight to the Aéronautique Militaire and no production orders followed.

Renard R38
This sleek fighter of Belgian designer Alfred Renard was powered by a 1.050 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine giving it a maximum speed of 336mph at 19685 ft. Unfortunately no series production was ordered before the German invasion of Belgium.
It had Belgian military roundels together with the civilian registration OO-ATK the Renard R-38 was extensively tested by Sabca chief-test pilot Burniat.
Flown to France and then Africa

This aircraft was a development of the series that started with the R36 and included the R37.
The R36 had a 920hp Hispano Suiza 12Ycrs in line engine and first flew 5-11-37. It was lost
in 1-39 having achieved a maximum speed of 313mph at 13120ft.
The R37 was effectively an R 36 with a Gnome Rhone 14 N21radial of 1050hp giving the aircraft a maximum speed of 325mph at 16240ft.

Sabca S.47
The Sabca S.47 was based on the Caproni Ca 335 Maestrale and incorporated the specifications of the Aéronautique Militaire for a two-seater bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, aimed at replacing the Fairey Fox. Sabca's chief test pilot, P. Burniat, made the first flight on 19 September 1939 and quickly a Belgian option for 24 S.47's followed. Unfortunately Sabca never had the opportunity to start production before the invasion of the country by the Germans.
further history of the type can be seen at
http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/P ... a_s_47.htm

Savoia-Marchetti SM 73
8 impressed 1940
Codes: none
Used 1940

4 were exported to Belgium for SABENA, while 7 others were produced by SABCA
according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoia-Mar ... _Operators
pics of requisitioned Sabena Savoia-Marchetti SM 73
http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/P ... tiSM73.htm
http://sabena.awardspace.com/SabenaHistory.html confirms the purchase of 11 SM73s by Sabena which flew them mainly on the route to the Congo.

Seven Belgian S.73s were flown to the United Kingdom in May 1940 and were impressed into service by the Royal Air Force.

Savoia-Marchetti SM 83
3 impressed 1940
No codes
Used 1940.

In order to better service its Congo route, SABENA, in 1938 ordered four advanced S.M.83s. It was intended that SABCA would build this machine under license.
Only three S.M.83s (OO-AUC/D/E) were actually delivered, the fourth (OO-AUJ) was returned to Italy by the French Vichy government upon its arrival in Marseilles in 1940.
OO-AUC was written off in a crash in 1940.

Stampe & Vertongen SV4B

30+ 4 requisitioned
codes: included V1-24
Used: 1939 0n
From 1939 onwards thirty SV-4b's were supplied to the Aeronautique Militaire and all were delivered before the German invasion on May 10th 1940.

In the light of the events in Europe in 1939, the Belgian Government requisitioned a number of modern private aircraft as "Estafettes" to perform liaison flights for the Aéronautique Militaire. This included the early series SV-4 (ex OO-ACB) which is shown on http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/P ... prewar.htm This was one of four Stampes requisitioned and is seen wearing a Belgian roundel on its tail. but no additional number.

On the outbreak of hostilities early in WWII Belgium transferred some of its Stampe SV-4Bs to Belgian Congo. They belonged to the first delivery of SV-4Bs to the Belgian Aeronautical Services. These early SV-4Bs did not sport a cockpit canopy contrary to later versions.
http://users.telenet.be/sv-4b/Engels/africae.htm

May 11, 1940, SV-4B V19 was damaged at Zwevezele when it was hit by a landing Firefly

23 machines escaped to Northern Africa, via France.
V1-V2-V3-V4-V5*-V7*-V11-V13*-V15*-V17-V18*-V20*-V21-V22-V23 and V24*
These were handed over to the French. All numbers marked * are Stampes of which is known that they have been turned into airworthy condition by the French. Later a number were handed back to the Belgians.
see http://users.telenet.be/sv-4b/Engels/africae.htm

Six of them were later transported to the Belgian Congo to form the nucleus of the Aviation Militaire de la Force Publique and were numbered V41-V46 according to some sources.

Stampe & Vertongen SV 5
21 used S21 - S41

In 1936 the Aéronautique Militaire received 20 Stampe & Vertongen SV 5 trainers for communication and advanced pilot-training. At Wevelgem this aircraft replaced the Avro 626 Perfect, while others were affected to operational units as base-hack and advanced trainer.

SV5 27 had a ground collision with Fox O-125 in the second half of the thirties while serve as trainer and communications hack for a Fairey Fox squadron

Stampe & Vertongen SV 22
10 purchased
Codes V?
Used: 1933-40

pics show SV 22 with codes V17 (http://bahamilitary.fotopic.net/p37078386.html)
V29, V30, V32 (http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/P ... m/SV22.htm)

In 1933 the Aéronautique Militaire obtained 10 Stampe & Vertongen SV 22 trainers for the Wevelgem-based flying training school.

Stampe & Vertongen SV 26/180 and 215

10 purchased
Codes: V1- V10
Used: 1933-40

Between 1932 and 1933 Stampe & Vertongen produced 10 SV26's for the Aéronautique Militaire to serve as advanced trainer. Particular to the SV26 was the Morane Saulnier MS230-type of landing gear which was unique for Stampe Vertongen aircraft.

Stinson SR9C Reliant
1 requisitioned during the "Drole de Geurre"
Code: OO-AFA as a civil aircraft, none as military.
Used: 26-8-39 to 5-40

One Stinson SR9C Reliant (ex OO-AFA) was requisitioned during the "Drole de Geurre" and served with the Escadrille Estafette from 26 august 1938 onwards. Later, the aircraft was sold by its owner Lt. Hanet to the Aéronautique Militaire who earmarked the machine for the target-towing role at the Oostende based "Ecole de Tir" (replacing the obsolete Breguet 19). Lt Hanet flew the aircraft from Brussels to Oostende on 13 April 1940 (departure at 11.40 hr, arrival at 12.12 hr). The official hand-over date was 16 April 1940. What happened after that date is unknown, but it was seen derelict at Montauban(F.) on 21 June 1940. The aircraft in the background is Tipsy B OO-RDV (c/n 508).

Tipsy Bc
1 requisitioned
Code: OO-WAL as a civil aircraft, none as military.
Used: 26-8-39 to 5-40
On August 26th 1939 the Aéronautique Militaire requisitioned the Tipsy Bc with civil registration OO-WAL (c/n 510) to be operated by the newly formed "Estafette" squadron. Unfortunately this lovely machine was destroyed during the landing at Hannut on 10 May 1940, its pilot Reserve Lt. Eeman being wounded.



I am unclear as to the exact codes used by the various types of Stampe & Vertongen aircraft. there appears to be some overlap in the numbers allocated, though this may be due to conflating the same number that were issued at different
times.
Clarification would be most welcome

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#10

Post by daveh » 24 Sep 2008, 14:16

Fairey Fox
Numerically the most important aircraft type in the Belgian air force, various versions of the Fairey Fox served in units of all 3 regiments of the Air Force during the 18 day campaign. They undertook a varity of missions including reconnaissance, army support, and fighter.

Units equipped with Fairey Foxes:
number given is for operational aircraft on 10-5-40

1st Air Regiment (Observation and Army Cooperation).

Unit Aircraft Total Peacetime Base Wartime Base Supporting

Ier Groupe

1/I/1 Fairey Fox II 10 Deurne Hingene IVe & Ve & III Corps d'Armées

IIe Groupe

3/II/1 Fairey Fox II 12 Goetsenhoven Glabeek IIe Corps d'Armée

IIIe Groupe

5/III/1 Fairey Fox III 10 Goetsenhoven Jeneffe IIIe Corps d'Armée
& Liège fortress
IVe Groupe

7/IV/1 Fairey Fox VI 9 Goetsenhoven Lonzee VIIe Corps d'Armée
& Namur fortress

2nd Air Regiment (Fighter).

IIIe Groupe

Unit Aircraft Total Peacetime Base Wartime Base
5/III/2 Fairey Fox VI 15 Nivelles Vissenaken

6/III/2 Fairey Fox VI 15 Nivelles Vissenaken


3rd Air Regiment (Reconnaissance - Bomber).

Ier Groupe

1/I/3 Fairey Fox III 15 Evère Neerhespen
3/I/3 Fairey Fox III 15 Evère Neerhespen

IIIe Groupe

7/III/3 Fairey Fox VIII 9 Evère Belcele

Ecole de Pilotage Avancé (Advanced Flight School)

Fox trainers at Wevelgem & Goetsenhoven

A total of 110 serviceable front line Fairey Foxes

Production
First orders received by Avions Fairey for Fairey Foxes in January 1931. The last Belgian produced Fox left the Gosselies plant in 1939.


Fairey Fox:
II: 12 bought from the U.K., 31 Avions Fairey
III: 13
IIIC: 48, 1 a dual trainer
IIIS: 4, all dual trainers
VI: 85, 3 or 4 dual trainers , 25 VIR, 57 VIC
VII: 2
VIII: 12

Total of 12 UK and 195 Belgian production

Codes
All the Fairey Foxes carried a 2 or 3 digit code starting O -.
I am not sure of the blocks of code numbers used.
I have no record of any Fox coded O-2x or O-5x. Apart from this all the blocks of 10 numbers from O-7 to
O-190 include some identified codes. There are also codes in the O-300 to O310 block

Fairey Fox losses
all numbers prefixed by O- dates are all 1940 unless otherwise noted

7 18-5 Bombed Aalter
8 15-5 Shot down by AA fire
9 11-5 Crashed

10
11
12 2-3 Collision with O-30
13 18-5 Bombed Aalter
14
15 15-5 Damaged by AA fire
16 29-3-39 crashed
17
18 18-5 Bombed Aalter
19

30 2-3 Collision with O-12
31 18-5 Bombed Aalter
32 15-5 Damaged by AA fire and crashed
33
34
35
36
37

38 17-5 Damaged by AA fire
18-5 Bombed Aalter
39 18-5 Bombed Aalter

40 18-5 Bombed Aalter
41 2-4 crashed
42
43
44
45
46
47
48 15-5 Shot down by AA fire
49 18-5 Bombed Aalter

50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59

60
61 1-5-40 Crashed cause unknown
62
63
64 15-5 Damaged by AA fire and crashed
65
66 10-5 Unserviceable, bombed at Brussels
67 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
68 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
69 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen

70 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
71 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
72
73 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
74
75 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
76 10-5 Unserviceable, bombed at Brussels
77
78 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
79

80
81 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen
82
83 15-5 Hit by ground fire

84 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
11-5 Bombed Neerhespen and abandoned
85 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen

86 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
11-5 Bombed Neerhespen and abandoned
87 10-5 Unserviceable, bombed at Brussels

88 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
11-5 Bombed Neerhespen and abandoned
89

90 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
11-5 Bombed Neerhespen and abandoned
91
92
93 10-5 Unserviceable, bombed at Brussels
94
95
96 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
16-5 Damaged by AA fire and crashed
97
98
99

100 not known if this code wasused.

101 11-5 Bombed at Vissenaken
102 11-5 Bombed at Vissenaken
103
104
105 19-5 Damaged while taxiing
106 10-5 Unserviceable, bombed at Knokke
107 10-5 Damaged by Bf109
108
109

110 10-5 Damaged by Bf109
111
112
113
114 11-5 Bombed at Jeneffe
115
116
117 10-5 Damaged by Bf109
118
119

120
121
122 Damaged by AA fire and crashed
123 10-5 Shot down by Bf 109
124
125 25-5 Shot down by Bf 109
126 12-5 Shot down by AA fire
127 10-5 Shot down by Bf 109
128
129 10-5 Bombed Nivelles

130
131
132
133 10-5 Shot down by AA fire
134

135 10-5 Damaged by German fighter
15-5 Shot down by AA fire
136
137
138
139 10-5 Damaged by German fighter

140 11-5 Bombed at Vissenaken
141 23-9-39 Crashed
142 11-5 Hit by ground fire Louvain area
143 11-5 Bombed at Vissenaken
144
145
146 10-5 Bombed Nivelles
147
148 18-5 Bombed Aalter
149 18-5 Bombed Aalter

150
151
152 11-5 Bombed at Vissenaken
153
154
155 11-5 Hit by fire from German bomber, crashed
156
157
158
159

160
161
162 11-5 Bombed at Jeneffe
163 11-5 Bombed at Jeneffe
164
165
166 10-5 Unserviceable, bombed at Knokke
167
168 11-5 Bombed at Jeneffe
169 13-5 Hit by AA fire and crashed

170 26-5 Crashed on landing
171 25-5 Crashed into the sea
172 10-5 Damaged by German fighter
173
174
175 12-5 Damaged by AA fire landed , repairable but abandoned
176
177
178 11-5 Bombed at Vissenaken
179 10-5 Damaged by German fighter

180
181 2-3 Crashed
182 11-5 Bombed Schaffen
183 11-5 Bombed Schaffen
184 18-4 Collided with control tower
185 15-5 Shot down by AA fire
186 11-5 Bombed Schaffen
187 12-5 Shot down by French fighters
188 18-5 Bombed Aalter
189 18-5 Bombed Aalter

190 11-5 Bombed Schaffen
191
192 11-5 Bombed Schaffen
193 11-5 Bombed Schaffen
194
195
196
197
198
199

300 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
11-5 Bombed Neerhespen and abandoned

301

302 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
11-5 Bombed Neerhespen and abandoned
303 15-12-39 Crashed
304
305 6-3 Lost cause unknown

306 10-5 Bombed Neerhespen repairable
11-5 Bombed Neerhespen and abandoned
307 10-5 Unserviceable, bombed at Brussels
308
309

Losses codes unknown
29-2-40 Crash
10-5 2 abandoned at Antwerp
10-5 1 Abandoned at Goissencourt due to technical problems
11-5 5 Bombed at Jeneffe
12-5 2 unserviceable aircraft abandoned at Lonzee
12-5 Damaged by ground fire, repairable but abandoned
12-5 Damaged by French ground fire, repairable
14-5 Hit by ground fire crashed
15-5 Damaged by ground fire, repairable
15-5 Unserviceable aircraft abandoned at Pieton
15-5 Downed by British ground fire
21-5 Damaged by AA fire repairable
25-5 Damaged by AA fire repairable

28-5 7 Foxes deliberately destroyed by the Belgians

15 Foxes had withdrawn to France

daveh
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Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#11

Post by daveh » 24 Sep 2008, 15:05

Fairey Firefly

25 bought from the UK and a further 62 licence built by Avions Fairey.
They served in the Belgian Air force from 1931 onwards and were coded
Y1 to Y87.

In September 1939 Fairey Fireflies still operated as fighters equipping 3/II/2 and 4/II/2.

http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/belgium_offenberg.htm describes an encounter between RAF Whitley bombers and Belgian Fireflies.

By 10-5-40 however these two units were re equipped with the Fiat CR.42. Apart from their use in fighter squadrons the Fairey Fireflies were used mainly as advanced trainers. During the 18 day campaign the severe losses suffered by the Belgians led to the Fireflies being issued to front line units. e.g. III/2 were given 8 Fireflies on 12-5-40.

Fairey Firefly losses

Y15 10-5 bombed Knokke-Zoute
Y26 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y28 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y32 10-5 bombed Knokke-Zoute
Y44 10-5 bombed Knokke-Zoute
Y49 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y53 10-5 bombed Knokke-Zoute
Y56 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y63 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y66 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y67 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y73 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y79 10-5 bombed Nivelles
Y81 10-5 bombed Nivelles

10-5 "several" fireflies bombed at Brussels-Evere. Either destroyed or damaged and repairable but abandoned.
14-5 1 Firefly, ex trainer pressed into service, hit by Belgian ground fire and written off

14 were evacuated to France, flying in defence of Chartres area until June 16.http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/ ... PLANE).htm

rennfox
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Posts: 1
Joined: 30 Aug 2009, 13:36

Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#12

Post by rennfox » 30 Aug 2009, 14:40

a source of infomation could be www.baha.be where you can find under military aviation the period you need that would be before 1944 all the aircraft used by belgian airforce with type number and a few pictures.about the fate of most fairey battles of 5/III/3 egyptian falcon i could personally answer you on:[email protected] also about some of the gladiators of 1/I/2 komeet.about numbers for each 1/I/1 meeuw 10fairey fox rolls royce based at deurne(hingene}à,3/II/1 hulsteblad 12fairey fox rolls royce at goetsenhoven(glabbeek),5/III/1 zwaluw 10fairey fox hispano at goetsenhoven(geneffe),7/IV/1 mephisto 9fox hispano goetsenhoven(lonzee),9/V/1blauwe sioux 11 renard r31 at bierset(duras),11/VI/1 rode sioux 11renard r31 bierset(hannut) this where all reconnaissance.for the fighters it was second regiment: 1/I/2 komeet 15 gladiators at schaffen(le culot),2/I/2distel 11 hawker hurricane (le culot),3/II/2 rode zwaan 15 fiat cr 42 at nijvel(brustem),4/II/2 witte zwaan 10fiat cr 42 at nijvel(brustem),58III/2 blauwe arend 15 fox hispano nijvel(vissenaken),6/III/2 rode arend 15 fox hiospano at nijvel(vissenaken) yhe third regiment was for reconnaissance and bombing:1/I/3 gouden draak 9 fox rolls royce at evere(evere),3/I/3 zilveren draak 9 fox rolls royce at evere(neerhespen),5/III/3 egyptische valk 15 fairey battle at evere(belsele),7/III/3 gevleugelde pijl 10fox hispano at evere(lonzee).the places between() are the bases they where supposed to evade to in case of war.if you require more info please contact me on my e mail.i was given this link by colin from decal bank who is helping me out with decals i need to reconstuct on scale the complete 5/III/3 a few gladiators and a hurricane all belgian togeher with the sabena dc 3 that was forced to land in northern france and the ju52 sabena in brginning of may 1940

daveh
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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#13

Post by daveh » 02 Jan 2010, 14:11

add to Firefly losses

Y62 lost to a crash landing while stationed in Fréjorgues .? June 1940

daveh
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Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#14

Post by daveh » 01 Jun 2010, 16:52

Identified codes for Fairey Foxes:

O 1 to O 38: Fox IIM
O 39 and O 40: Fox IIMS

O 41 to O 57: Fox III
O 58 to O 91 Fox IIIC
O 92 to O 95: Fox IIICS
O 96 to O 99: Fox IIIC
O 100 to O 124: Fox VIR
O 125 to O 181 Fox VIC
of which O 136 and O 152 Fox VII
O 182 to O 193 Fox VIII
O 300 to O 307 Fox IIIC

daveh
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Location: uk

Re: Fate of each Belgian aircraft 3-9-39 to 28-5-40

#15

Post by daveh » 22 May 2011, 12:59

according to
Source: Fiat CR.42 Falco - Przemyslaw Skulski - Stratus Publishing - English translation: Mushroom Model Publications (2007).
the fate of Fiat CR 42 number R.10 was:
Damaged during landing at Evere by Capt. Pierre Eagle, The aircraft was written off.

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