Hello everyone,
I have in my possesion (just for the weekend – will have to give it back to it’s owner next week) the original diary of a Belgian pilot with the RAF named LALLEMAND R. RAF-ID No 1299895 for the year 1942. There is not much written into it but interestingly he mentions the loss of his best friend (F/Lt OFFENBERG nickname PYKER) on the 22nd Jan 42 in an accident, and his first victory on the 19th December 42 over a FW 190 somewhere between Douvres and Cap GrisNez.
I believe Lallemand was known as one of the best Typhoon-pilot of WWII (especially in its ground attack-role). And if I get it wel, he commanded 609 too (one of a few Belgians to actually command an RAF-Sqn).
Anyone knows where I can find more info on him and/or the Typhoon in WWII (on the net)? Thanks in advance.
By: ettrick40 - 29th March 2004 at 07:44
Dimitri,
Do you know that R.Lallemant has written three books?
1)Rendez-vous avec la chance (rendez-vous with fate)
2)Rendez-vous d’un jour (one day’s rendez vous)
3)Rendez-vous avec le destin (rendez-vous with destiny)
The last is just published now.
To my knowledge only the first was translated in English.
By: Dimitri Hackx - 28th March 2004 at 13:36
Okay, will mail you tonight .
By: Snapper - 28th March 2004 at 10:42
That’s me. Hello Dimitri.
I am holding the 609 Squadron Archive (part of it at the moment, all of it eventually). R Lallemand – ie ‘Cheval’ – is still alive. I have plenty of information on him. Can you email me on [email]609photos@tiscali.co.uk[/email] ? Then I can have a trawl this week and see what I can dig out. Pyker was lost when a Spitfire doing a practice attack took his tail off while stationed at Digby. Both were killed. Pyker and Cheval were very close. Another Belgian was flying with Pyker – Balbo Roelandt.
Best wishes,
Mark
By: Stieglitz - 28th March 2004 at 09:26
Hello Dimitri,
Nice to see someone from my region. I am living in Marke near Kortrijk. So, that is not far away is it.;)
About 609 Squadron and the typhoon in WWII. THE man on this forum who knows much about this subject is Snapper.
Look at his site. It has a huge amount of info about 609sq. I am shure that he will be able to help you.
See the page of Snapper:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/609photos/
Cheers,
J.V.
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March 28, 2004 at 9:07 am