Looking for information concerning Sergent Chef BIAGGI

It has been rather quiet for a while but one or two things have come up I thought I would share, and of course, ask for more advice.

Firstly, you may remember that the Biaggi family cared for the grave of a Corporal Adams who was with a security unit when he died in a motorcycle accident. I was briefly in touch with a relative who kindly sent me his photograph. If the lady in question sees this thread can she please contact me as I have lost her details due to computer problems.

Here is the photograph of Douglas, known as Dougal, on the occasion of his marriage to Doris.

Next up is a photograph of Dominique’s grave with a temporary wooden cross. I believe this to be his grave at Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery and the fact that the inscriptions are in English does seem to point to that.

The next two are of Dominique, the first perhaps in the French uniform worn in N Africa?

The second of these is a bit of a poser. I was originally told by the MoD Medal Office that Dominique was entitled to the 1939-1945 Star, the France & Germany Star and the War Medal. However, it transpires now that they have no record of his service, even though 346 operated as an RAF Squadron under the auspices of Bomber Command. That shouldn’t prove an obstacle as I can provide plenty of evidence regarding his service with 346 Squadron and prior to that. The other problem is that the Medal Office could not confirm one way or the other whether Dominique was entitled to British Campaign Medals. They should have a definitive answer for me by early February. Now, if anyone here has evidence of French personnel serving with the RAF receiving British Campaign Medals, I would be very pleased to hear from you. My final question relating to this last photograph is the Medals pictured there. I velieve the Medal on the left to be the Croix de Guerre with a faded ribbon and the one on the right to be the Medaille Militaire, also with an extremely faded ribbon. Can anyone here confirm my thoughts on this, and, advise on the identity of the third Medal?

Thanks agin to everyone for their indulgence and as always, any further information would be most gratefully received.

Regards,

kev35

flyingant.

Thank you for those kind words. We seem to muddle through translation wise.

Your thoughts on the third medal may be relevant. Sandra will need to confirm this but I believe it came up in our emails that Dominique’s Father was a foreman or supervisor in the docks at Marseille. Perhaps the medal is his?

Regards,

kev35

This is my first post on this forum, and I’d like to congratulate you all on a really fascinating thread. I’m sure you’re right about the left and right-hand medals, but the 3rd one seems to be odd-man-out, as it looks like the “Medaille d’honneur du Travail”, usually awarded for 20 years faithful work for the French government!
See here:
http://www.arthus-bertrand.com/fr/e-magasin/decorations/medailles_du_travail/medailles_d_honneur_du_travail/2120010020/medaille_d_honneur_du_travail_argent_20ans.html

If there’s anything I can help you translate from French, please don’t hesitate – though you seem to be doing very well on your own!

I had some rather pleasing news today. I have been chasing the MoD Medal Office regarding the entitlement to British Campaign Medals for Dominique. Initially they had trouble tracing him but with the wealth of information uncovered here, his case was re-opened.

I had a phone call this afternoon informing me that the case had been re-examined in light of which they were pleased to confirm that the award of the 1939 – 1945 Star, France & Germany Star and the War Medal had been granted in respect of Dominique Biaggi. The medals will be despatched to Dominique’s brother, Henry.

I am sure you will all agree that this is a very weel deserved outcome. I am also waiting permission to post a letter from a colleague of Dominique’s referring to their service togetherl

Regards,

kev35

Very well done. Could the Air Battalions mentioned earlier have been a pre-war parachute brigade?

John

I received today a translation of a letter sent to me by Sandra. It is from Emile Blanc, rear gunner in the crew of captain Marias. It is lengthy but I bleieve well worth reading as it records some of his memories of that time.

Hi Sandra,

Here I am, trying to update a few ‘old’ memories, it is true, of the period 1943-1944 in Great Britain. You are in possession, you said, of the Service record of your uncle, so the military path is traced in this document: entering the Air Force – Gunnery School in France – his assignment in Tunisia – as well as the Bomber Group 1 / 25 during the period of 40 to 43, campaigns in which he participated and decorations that were awarded, dates of appointments to rank. Did the French Air Force return to your family his logbook on which have been mentioned all flights from its acceptance to the Gunnery School until this sad day of September 1944?

Referring back a little: We, who had just come back from the Bombardment Groups stationed in North Africa – Morocco – Tunisia – we found ourselves together on the beach at Zeralda, near Oran, waiting to board a transport troopship called “Orbita” in the harbour of Gibraltar. After a few days of preparation for forming a convoy of troopships accompanied by warships and escorts, we headed for the UK and after some 12 days on the Great Blue, Liverpool greeted us in the fog. We were joyous at being on the mainland.

All these different steps, West Kirby, Bournemouth, are certainly included in his Service Record. Then came the day when we were separated by specialty and by staff of each squadron. We were in the fourth squadron of the Group 2 / 23 called “Guyenne”, named according to the region where the 2/23 had been housed, before the war, on the air base in Toulouse. The staff “trained in France” in the specialty “gunner” of our squadron was designated first to join the Air Gunners School of the Royal Air Force in Scotland at Castle Kennedy. It is on this base that we came to know, really know, your Uncle. From different backgrounds, we tended to get closer to each other according to our old unit, but here we were doing in Scotland common cause, and the only thing that really interested us was our gunnery training for the Royal air Force. How many were we, I do not know exactly, so I wanted to find that souvenir photo taken late in the course, unfortunately my archive is missing this.

The training took place from October 16, 1943 to December 11, 1943. We followed the same training, and we received our gunners Brevet’s together. As of January 1944, crews gathered and we were subjected to warfare training on “Wellington” aircraft equipped with turrets similar to what we would find on our “Halifax”. In order to familiarize ourselves with them, we have completed an additional training between February 2, 1944 to February 9, 1944 on the air base at Lossiemouth – Scotland. On this base called “20 O.T.U.”, we were incorporated in ‘A Flight.’

Here I am telling you the following anecdote: In Morocco, while the Group of Bombing 2 / 23 was based in Meknes since its reconstitution in September 1940, we were allowed to continue our flying operations – navigation, bombing, exercises with the fighters. Trained crews for each flight varied, thus I often had as pilot Marcel CROSIA and as commander Captain MARIAS who commanded the Fourth Squadron. Also, when crews had the call from Great Britain, my friend Marcel CROSIA had hoped to have me with him, but Captain MARIAS told him of his intention to keep me in his crew and I remember his response “BLANC I keep HIM with me, we know too well.” At Lossiemouth, your uncle joined the crew of Marcel CROBLAN – real name CROSIA – because, originally from Alsace, he had insisted on change of name for fear of reprisals against his family.

Now what about our life together with Dominique BIAGGI during our periods of training at Castle Kennedy, Lossiemouth, or at Elvington where we flew to our war missions. Your Uncle was a good fellow, jovial, good human contacts, and I seem to remember that he sometimes indulged in song, and more particularly to an air of Charles Trenet, popular romantic singer in the ’40s, “La romance de Paris,” that put some balm on our homesick hearts in this foreign land. When this terrible accident occurred in which he left this life we were dismayed. I remember being there at the time. We could not approach the cabin because of the bullets which rang out of the turrets, and there we were powerless against this terrible spectacle, only rescue teams entering the flames until complete extinction, the toll was heavy. Only the pilot, Colonel VENOT found himself with the cockpit on the grass and in flames. He was rescued after having accomplished his mission of war.

So I thought to myself, Colonel VENOT, which had to do some missions, took advantage of the absence of Marcel CROBLAN, unavailable because of illness to perform in place of the pilot, this mission. My thoughts went on the composition of the crew of Marcel CROSIA from Morocco – I have done my part and CROBLAN, is it not a coincidence to see that both our names end in BLANC – I do not stop as long as the memory is bitter.

Until that day, we had, your uncle and myself, the same journey, and we met at briefings before departing Elvington for enemy territory. I do not recall our contacts because we were concerned about preparing our missions, and returning to the comfort of Chaplain Father MEURISSE, we were eager to find our famous “eggs and bacon” before joining our roosting site, to catch some sleep.

In a nutshell I think I have described what could represent the lives of our crews on the base of French Elvington. Under the command of the Royal Air Force, the atmosphere was good-natured and disciplined, we had won their trust and friendly sympathy. One goal, accomplish our mission the next day, trying to forget the previous day, so painful was it.

It is true that after the war I was based in civil aviation and that I was in Havre Octeville – objective of the mission during which your uncle Dominique BIAGGI disappeared accidentally – is not this a second coincidence?

I passed the Concours de l’Ecole Steering of Istres, but the outbreak of war forced me to join the gunnery school at Cazeaux, for which I had also taken an option, the necessity of war took precedence over my intentions. A captain of 1914-1918 said “Remember that GUYNEMER was gunner before becoming a pilot.” I took note of his memory.

This is to close my long letter to you, for you who really wants to know, and it makes me happy.

Emile BLANC.

regards,

kev35

I have no idea Kev but i typed the names into Facebook and got https://www.facebook.com/search/results/?q=Sandra%20Barlier&init=mag_glass&tas=0.958730038953945&search_first_focus=1407679768705

https://www.facebook.com/sandra.barlier

I don’t know the surnames of Julie and Audrey but it may be a lead or any others in the thread.

My apologies for resurrecting a long dead thread (though I have to say I enjoyed reading it again) but I am wondering if anyone can help me with a little more digging on this, but with a difference.

I have lost touch with Sandra, who at the time of this thread was living in GAP. I know some problems had reared their head regarding her health and during this period I lost contact with her. Sandra’s full name is Sandra Barlier Niaulon but may just be known as Sandra Barlier. I saw some reference to her having been living in a Paris suburb with her daughters Julie and Audrey. I would be most appreciative if anyone can give any idea as to how I might track her down as I need to discuss something with her regarding her Great Uncle Dominique Biaggi.

It’s a long shot I know but I would really like to get in contact with her again soon.

Regards,

kev35

Takes a while to make the original side view but changes are quick and easy, the roundals and fin flashes about 5 mins, ventral gun/ H2S 10 mins, let me know

Baz

Baz, Super Sioux et al.

The profile of NA585 is superb, however, there may be one or two discrepancies. I have been unable to establish whether NA585 was one of the aircraft retro fitted with a H2S blister or whether in fact it retained its under turret. I suspect it may have had H2S fitted but have no way of verifying that one way or the other. The second thing is the use of the French Roundels. I can’t check at the moment but I don’t think the Squadron’s aircraft were authorised to wear full French National markings until after the loss of NA585. November rings a bell but I’ll check over the next two days.

The aircraft coded M in the photo posted by Super Sioux appears to be wearing a French roundel so it may be a later incarnation of H7 M.

Regards,

kev35

Whilst not wishing to start a new set of searches (!), apart from NA585, there was also Halifax PN179. Squadron Code: H7-M. Operation : Worms. 21st/22nd February 1945.

Airborne 17:02 hrs 21 Feb 45 from Elvington. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at Klein Bockenheim some 13 km WSW from the centre of Worms. Burials took place at Klein Bockenheim Friedhof. It is to be assumed that all have been subsequently taken home to France. Cdt Breard had flown thirty operations.

Adj P. Soucille FFAF KIA; Adj J. Aquaviva FFAF KIA; Cdt R. Breard FFAF KIA; Slt J. Fauvet FFAF KIA; Sgc J. Lemaire FFAF KIA; Sgt L. Zavaterro FFAF KIA; Sgc P. Chiericci FFAF KIA.

No, I don’t know.

Trouble is with attrition the H7-M in the photo may be the replacement or the replacements replacement, unless there is a date to go with it, or you can read the serial we will not know.

Bazs

Thought I would have a go at his Halifax

Baz

So the photos I showed on the 27 Nov.2009 of Halifax H7M are confirmed as being Domonique’s aircraft?
Ray

Thought I would have a go at his Halifax

Baz

An outstanding achievement Kev and one you should rightly be proud of. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your journey with the unfolding research on here.

Brilliant job!

John

Seconded. Job well done Sir.

And it has been a real privelege for those of us non-participants who have only been able to read the unfolding story.

I can imagine how you must feel about it and we can only admire and applaud your tenacity and committment. You have brought great pleasure to those concerned.

Thank you.

Sandra emailed me today with the news that Henry has received the medals awarded to Dominique. He phoned Sandra straight away and I think it was a very emotional moment for both of them.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This is probably the most rewarding bit of research I have ever done. Being part of this has been both a privelege and an education. There is still more I would like to know and hopefully that will come with time.

I am considering trying to find a way to commemorate Dominique and his comrades here in the UK. The Heavy Groups are already commemorated at Elvington so perhaps something could be done at the NMA at Alrewas. I’ll look into it I think. Dominique’s story, and that of his comrades, has touched me greatly.

Regards,

kev35

kev35: I’ve been away in Spain and just caught up with the last months postings.

Firstly congratulations on your superb detective work to make this enquiry into such and absorbing thread. It deserves to be a testament to the power of the internet to cross the bounds of Nationality when all were drawn together to fight a common enemy.

Secondly I am so pleased that your efforts have resulted in Dominiques family receiving the long overdue medals that he earned by paying the ultimate sacrifice. Such a pity that in these cash strapped times the medals could not have been handed over by a RAF officer in a formal ceremony, such as when C de G’s are presented by the French government to UK recipients. (That’s Croix de Guerre not Charles Big Nose!!)

I do hope Sandra will return to let us know when the medals are received and any further developments.

I salute you for your efforts and the success that you deserve in unearthing so much information as to bring his memory to life.

Well done mate, from one Kev to another!!