Introduction | Losses per day | Sources | Links | Books |
Compiled by Alain Rosseels and Bart FM Droog
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Aircraft losses and fatalities per day, ex. ground losses of planes (incomplete)
10/05/1940 - at least 5 planes lost, at least 15 KIA, MIA or DOW
11/05/1940 - at least 5 planes lost, at least 7 KIA
15/05/1940 - at least 2 planes lost, at least 3 KIA
16/05/1940 - at least 2 planes lost, at least 3 KIA, 1 POW
18/05/1940 - at least 1 plane lost, 2 KIA or DOW
19/05/1940 - at least 1 KIA, MIA or DOW
24/05/1940 - at least 1 plane lost, at least 2 KIA or MIA
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10/05/1940
Type: Fiat CR 42
Serial number: ?, ?
Unit: 3/II/2 or 4/II/2
Mission: ?
Lost: 10/05/1940
1Sgt Roger Delaney - DOW
Shot down by Me Bf-109 from I./JG1R. Sgt Delaney baled out and as he descended was mortally wounded by a shot from the ground. The plane crashed at Melveren (Kasteel de Terkelen). Sgt Delaney died in hospital. He is buried in Schurhoven Cemetery, Sint Truiden. See this page for a picture of his grave.
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Type: Fox VI R
Serial number: AF-6105, O-123
Unit: 5/ II/3 (or 5/III/2, 5e Escadrille 'Aigle Bleu')
Mission: Interdiction
Lost: 10/05/1940
Lt Etienne Dufossez - KIA
Based at Nivelles (Nijvel). Shot down by Me Bf-109 at Herten
Lt Dufossez was first buried in Borgloon, now Row 1, Grave 8, Ereperk Evere, Brussels. His mother, Mrs Dufossez-Van Haelteren (aunt of the mayor of Brussels) is the founder of the Park of Honour for the fallen pilots in Brussels. (Ereperk Evere, Brussel)
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Type: Fox VI R
Serial number: AF-6093, O-111
Unit: 5/II/2 (or 5/III/2?)
Mission: Sweep Diest
Lost: 10/05/1940
Lt Albert Brel (KIA)
Based at Nivelles (Nijvel) Shot down by Me Bf-109, pilot Hptm Fritz Ultsch from I./JG 21 8H35. Crashed at Montenaken (4 Statiestraat). Buried Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 9.
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Type: Fox III C
Serial number: AF-6177, O-306
Unit: 1&3/I/3
Mission: ?
Lost: 10/05/1940
Cpt René Dethier (KIA)
Destroyed by a Do 17 van KG 77 at 04.00 hrs (Belgian Time, GMT + 1 hr) at Neerhespen. Cpt Dethier is said to be the first Belgian pilot who lost his live on 10/05/1940. Buried Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 12.
Type: SV (SV4B?)
Serial number: ?
Unit: Ecole de Pilotage Elémentaire (Basic Flight School)?
Mission: ?
Lost: 10/05/1940
Adj Alphonse Van Uffel ( KIA )
Crashed at Goetsenhoven airfield. Accident during take-off. Buried Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 11
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Lt (Obs) Leon F.A. Léonard,
Service number 37139, Piloten School, age 25, 10/05/1940. Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 5. Killed in air raid aerodrome Goetsenhoven.
Sdt.
Albert P Van Aerschot, Service number 257/5594, Piloten School, age 23, 10/05/1940. Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 6. Killed in air raid on aerodrome Goetsenhoven.
2Lt (Med) Gerard E. Druine, 1st Regt, age 28, 10/05/1940. Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 10. Killed in air raid aerodrome Goetsenhoven.
Soldier Denis (Dionysius Ludovicus) Lenders, 257/4487, 2 Regt Aé. Mil, Anti-aircraft artillery, age 25, badly wounded during the bombing of Gossoncourt (= Goetsenhoven )and died in the Sint-Jansgasthuis of Tirlemont on the 10 of May 1940. First buried in Tirlemont and transfered on 12 of June 1944 to Zichem cemetery
Soldier Léon Adolphe Ghislain Jacquemin, 223/6245, 2 Regt Aé. Mil., Anti-aircraft battery, age 27, badly wounded during the bombing of Gossoncourt and died in the Sint-Jansgasthuis of Tirlemont (= Tienen) on the 10 of May 1940. First buried at Tirlemont and exhumed on 27 of May 1940 and transferd to Orp-le-Grand cemetery.
Res.Lt Emile Robecyn,
Service number 21038, 2nd Bn MG, age 53, 10/05/1940. Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 15. Killed in air raid aerodrome Goetsenhoven.
Cpl Réné Seynave , 257/5307, 7/IV/1 Regt Aé. Mil., age 24, killed during the bombing of Gossoncourt (was driving with a firetruck to the bombzone when a bomb explosed near the truck) on the 10 of May 1940, first buried at Tirlemont and later transfered to Kortrijk (Courtrai) cemetery on 08 of july 1947. Married on the 04 of May 1940 and joined his unit after a leave on the 09 of May 1940!
Sdt Franciscus L. Van,
Service number 298/838, Piloten School, age 27, 10/05/1940. Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 14. Killed in air raid on aerodrome Wevelgem.
Sgt Desire J. Vanderbecken, Service number 116/8805, III/2nd Regt, age 37, 10/05/1940. Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 13. Wounded in air raid aerodrome Le Zoute - died hospital Brugge.
Sdt Jan Van Ham,
unit unknown, age 26, 10/05/1940. Ereperk Evere, Brussels. Row 1, Grave 20. Wounded in air raid aerodrome Le Zoute - died Hospital Brugge.
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11/05/1940
Type: Fairey Battle
Serial number: ?, T-70
Unit: 5/III/3
Mission: Bridges Albert Canal Vroenhoven
Lost: 11/05/1940
Cpt André Glorie, pilot, KIA
OLt Jean Vanden Bosch, observer - injured
Based at Aalter (or Belcele?). Shot down by flak. Crashed at Vlijtingen (Lafelt). Cpt Glorie is buried at Erepark Evere, Brussels, Row 1, Grave 16.
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Type: Fairey Battle
Serial number: ?, T-58
Unit: 5/III/3
Mission: Bridges Albert Canal, Veldwezelt
Lost: 11/05/1940
Adj Gustave Timmermans, pilot (KIA)
1Sgt Rolin-Heymans [ or: Rolin Hymans], observer (KIA)
Based at Aalter (or Belcele?). Shot down by Me Bf-109 Oblt Wolfgang Redlich I./JG27 at 07.40 hrs. Crashed at 's Herenelderen 'Molsterveld'.
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Type: Fairey Battle
Serial number: ?, T-61
Unit: 5/III/3
Mission: Bridges Albert Canal Vroenhoven
Lost: 11/05/1940
Adj Franz J.C. Delvigne, pilot (KIA)
Sgt Alexandre Moens, observer (KIA)
Based at Aalter (or Belcele?). Shot down by flak. Crashed at Vroenhoven - Veldwezelt 'De Kip'. The crew are buried at Erepark Evere, Brussels. Adj. Delvigne Row 1, Grave 18; Sgt Moens Row 1, Grave 17.
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Type: Gladiator
Serial number: ?, G-19
Unit: 1/I/2
Mission: Bridges Albert Canal
Lost: 11/05/1940
Sgt A. Pirlot, pilot, KIA
Based at Le Culot. Shot down by Me Bf-109 I./JG1. Possibly by Ufzz Emil Clade. Crashed near Albert Canal. Sgt Pirlot wasn't found on 11/05/1940 (?). Sgt Pirlot is remembered on Erepark Evere, Brussels, Row 1, Grave 19.
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Type: Gladiator
Serial number: ?, G-34
Unit: 1/I/2
Mission: Escort attack Albert Canal bridges
Lost: 11/05/1940
1Sgt Henri Clinquart (KIA )
Based at Les Burettes. Shot down by Me Bf-109 from JG 1. Crashed at Fexhes-Slins (provincial road)
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15/05/1940
Type: Fox
Serial number: ?, O-83
Unit: 1/I/1
Mission: Recce Geel
Lost: 15/05/1940
Adj Marcel Brosteaux, pilot - safe
Olt Eugène Boissiroy, observer - KIA
Hit by ground fire. Crashed south of Herentals (perhaps in Lier)
back up Type: Fox
Serial number: ?, O-?
Unit: 7/ II/3
Mission: Recce Louvain (Leuven)
Lost: 15/05/1940
Adj Wetz (KIA)
Olt Verlaine (KIA)
Shot down at 06.30 hrs by British .... Crashed at Wezembeek, south of Brussels.
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16/05/1940
Type: Fox VII
Serial number: AF-6117, O-185
Unit: 7/III/3
Mission:
Lost: 16/05/1940
Sgt Albert Soete, pilot, KIA
Kpt Guillaume De Briey, KIA
Crashed at Holsbeek, Leuvense baan
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Type: Fox VIII
Serial number: AF-6182, O-185
Unit: 7/ II/3
Mission: Recce Antwerpen
Lost: 16/05/1940
Cpt Abel Maquet, POW
Sgt Jean Thibault de Boesinghe, KIA
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18/05/1940
Type: R-31
Serial number: ?, N-8
Unit: 9/V/1
Mission: Recce Terneuzen
Lost: 18/05/1940
Sgt Maxilmilien Bruylandts, pilot - injured
Sgt Armand Crabus, observer - KIA
Crash-landed at Zwevezele and hit a bush, killing (or fatally wounding) Air Mechanic Sgt 1st Class Debay
Sgt Crabus is buried at Erepark Evere, Brussels, Row 1, Grave 21.
Sgt Debay is buried at Erepark Evere, Brussels, Row 1, Grave 22 (date of death 23/05/1940).
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19/05/1940
Sdt Mauritius Havet, died/killed at St.Omer, France, 19/05/1940. Buried Ereperk Evere, Brussels; Row 4, Grave 30.
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24/05/1940
Type: Fox
Serial number: ?, O-41
Unit: 1/I/1
Mission: Patrol Kortrijk-Harelbeke
Lost: 24/05/1940
Sgt (Pilot) Jacobus Degreef, pilot, MIA
Cpt M. Keuleers, observer, MIA
Based at Stene. Crash location not established. Crash locations mentioned are: North Sea off Belgium and Harelbeke as crash location.
Sgt de Greef is remembered at Ereperk Evere, Brussels; grave 24. Date of death given: 23/05/1940.
Cpt M. Keuleers is remembered at Ereperk Evere, Brussels; grave 25. Date of death given: 23/05/1940.
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Sources
Aeropedia / Belgae Gallorum Fortissimi
Alternate Views on Adolf Galland's WW2 Kills
Ancien Bulletins du CLHAM
Aircraft ued by the Belgian Armed Forces
Aéronautique Militaire Belge - Order of Battle, 10th May 1940
Belgian Armed Forces, 1940
The Belgian Army at the outbreak of WW2 (doesn't state sources)
Belgian Aviation History Association
Belgian Hawker Hurricanes controversy - www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/
Belgian War Cemetery Willemstad (English)
Belgian War Graves (1914-1918; 1940-1945)
Belgian Women in Uniform 1940-1946
Biplane Fighter Aces - Belgium
The Campaign of the Belgian Army in May 1940
Chievres Air Base History
Dodenakkers.nl: Erehof Willemstad (in Dutch)
The Fiat CR.42 in the Belgian Air Force
France, 1940
The Gloster Gladiator in the Belgian Air Force
Rodolphe Count de Hemricourt de Grunne
Military Archives of Evere, Brussels
RAF Commands Forum - Unaccounted airmen, Belgian Air Force, 10/05/1940
De Slag om de Grebbeberg (Dutch)
Go2war2.nl: Fall Gelb (Dutch)
Slagveld Sloedam (Dutch)
The Stampe
War over Holland (English)
Wings to Victory (Dutch)
Prisoners of War captured in Europe 1940
RAF - Campaign Diary - The Battle of France (May-June 1940)
RAF Museum: British Military Aviation in 1940
The Second World War - a day by day account
The War in France and Flanders, 1939-1940, by Major L.F. Ellis, 1954
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Books
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belgium The Official Account of What Happened 1939-1940
Brian Bond, France and Belgium, 1939-1940
Peter D. Cornwell, The Battle of France, Then and Now, 2008
Cynrik De Decker en Jean-Louis Roba, Mei 1940 boven België: de luchtstrijd tijdens de achttiendaagse veldtocht, De Krijger, Erpe-Mere, 1993
Major L.F. Ellis, The War in France and Flanders, 1939-1940, 1954
J.Fabribeckers, La Campage de L'armee Belge en 1940
Telford Taylor, The March of conquest
Jean-Luc Wauthy and Florimond de Neve, Les Aéronefs de la Force Aérienne Belge (3e partie : 1920-1940), Le Fana de l'Aviation magazine n.306, Mai 1995
General Wetzel, Der Angrif der 255. Division über die Lys
Michael Wiesner, "Wer die macht hat, hat recht". De Belgische krijgsgevangenen in Duitsland en de Conventie van Genève, 1940-1945, 2005
Zoho Creator: Books Belgian Aviation
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Links
Avianet.nl (in Dutch)
De Belgen in Engeland 1940-1945 (in Dutch)
Belgian Aviation History Association Archaeological Team
Belgian Aviation History Association
Belgisch Nationaal Herdenkingscomité / Comité National Belge du Souvenir
Bunkergordel.be: Bruggenhoofd Gent (in Dutch)
- contains lists of Belgian and German casualties, Gent area, May 1940
Deaths in deportation
Gefusilleerden & gedeporteerden uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog / Les Fusillés et les déportés de la deuxième Guerre Mondiale, Belgium (in Dutch and French)
Discussion Groups
Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum
War over Holland Discussion Forum
Other
Abbreviations used in the Royal Air Force
Code Names & RAF Vocabulary
Air Aces
Airwar over Denmark
Allied World War II Casualties in the Netherlands
Australian Wargraves
Axis History Factbook
Battle-of-Britain.com
British Aircraft Directory
British Aviation Archaeological Council - Books and research links
Canada's Air Force History
HMS Cavalier
Ciel de Gloire (in French)
RAF Squadrons
CWGC Cemeteries Germany
CWGC Cemeteries Netherlands
Czechoslovak airmen in
the RAF 1940-1945
Danish WW2 Pilots
Dutch Pilots in RAF Squadrons
Eagles Squadrons (American pilots in the RAF)
Foreign Aircraft Landings in Ireland 1939-1946
Håkans aviation page (from Sweden, in English)
An Irish Airman Foresees His Death, poem by W.B. Yeats
Jagdgeschwader 27 (in German)
Luchtoorlog ('Arial War', in Dutch, with many photos)
Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth
The Luftwaffe, 1933-1945
Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum
The National Ex-Prisoners of War Association
Naval History.net
Nordic Aviation during WW2
Pilotfriend.com: aircraft of WW2
Polish Air Force 1940-1947 Operations Record Books
RAF Battle of Britain
RAF Upwood
RAF WWII 38 Group Squadrons Reunited
Warbird Alley
War over Holland
World War II Aircraft wrecksites in Norway
www.bomber-command.de
The Aerodrome -
Aces and Aircraft of World War 1
WW1 Cemeteries
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This page is dedicated to the Belgian airmen who lost their lives in May 1940.
With special thanks to Alain
Rosseels and Henk Welting
© Bart FM Droog / Rottend Staal Online 2008. Permission granted for use of the data gathered here for non commercial purposes, if this source is mentioned with a link to http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/france/index.html
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