trying a new one – the well known Spitfire XIV “Rolls Royce” RM689 in 350 (Belgian) Squadron markings – Allan125

David Niven

David Niven also served in “Phantom” – the GHQ Liaison Regiment.

The Great Escape – Henri Picard – 350 (Belgian) Squadron

Hi Guys – I have been in touch with the current day 350 squadron of the Belgian Air Force and they state “350 Sqn will never forget its squadron members and a special thought for Henri Picard will be emphasized by the Sqn CO on the 29th of March.

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to organize a formal ceremony opened for external audience.

On this same date, 350 Sqn will deploy 09 F-16 cross the Atlantic Ocean to El Centro (California). 350 Sqn has a very busy training calendar, not mentioning the permanent commitments for NATO or EU-lead operations.

However, we will try to organize a small ceremony in Florennes for the remembrance of the D-Day in the end of May till mid-June timeframe, with the presence of the pilots who flew that day. – cheers – Allan125

453 Squadron RAAF – Spitfire IX

Hi there – attached an excellent colour photo taken at RAF Ford in May 1944 I believe. It clearly shows the colours of the IX in the background and the first part of the letter F. One thing you will find is that they, for example, used both the layout FU-Z and Z-FU on the left hand side, I have photo’s of both versions.

Quite often on e-bay you can see someone selling the well known Barry Price painting/print of Z-FU taking off from Ford in June 1944 – or maybe it’s B.11 Longues-sur-Mer ?

I have the unofficial squadron history “Defeat to Victory” which lists all of the squadron code letters and the serials that went with them – so if you want anything just ask? I also have lots of b/w photo’s of the squadron. Not all clearly showing the codes though. Hope it helps – don’t forget to leave a copy of your final work. cheers – Allan

BLA

Hi Guys – From the official history of 122 Wing – they went through Z Group, Blue Group, 83 Group and became part of BWEF (British Western Expeditionary Force), then, when in Normandy, it changed to BLA (British Liberation Army or as they state more popularly also called (Bother (or something) Liberating Anyone), then eventually to BAFO (British Air Forces of Occupation) to BAOR (British Army of the Rhine). Hope it helps – Allan125

Ford

Hi there – thanks very much, please let me have your e-mail address (via the message service) and I will pass over an aerial photo and a copy of the map that I hold my map, marked 10370/55 also has “amended February 1945 written on it” – below from the 125 Airfield (as it then was) ORB describing how the ground echelon got there from Detling:

15/4/44

Punctually at 08.30 hours the convoy making up ‘A’ Party commenced to form up on the road out of Detling, and on the time scheduled, moved off, the C.O., commanding the convoy we looked back wistfully at the static comforts of our winter home and set our radiator caps firmly southward, towards a more Spartan life. The journey of eighty four miles were executed without incident, and right to the time table, actual arrival being thirteen minutes ahead of E.T.A. at Ford. Immediate activity was forthcoming on the erection of tents as the over cast sky promised rain. Sure enough our induction into wigwam life was to the accompaniment of an appreciable downpour.

I also have a photo of my father, and his colleagues from the telephone section of 125 Wing HQ getting injections before going to Normandy – photo taken late May ’44. I will send that as well so you can see how happy he was about that experience !! – cheers Allan125

131 / 350 Squadrons

hello Geoff – many thanks for that information, anything further that you can add about the Belgians would be of great interest to both Serge and myself – An interesting, yet sad, sideline to the 350 (Belgian) Squadron History is about P/O Henri Picard. This young Belgian pilot was shot down shot down in Spitfire VB BM297 over the English Channel on 27 August 1942. He bailed out and spent six days and nights out at sea until being washed ashore in France. Being unconscious, he was taken prisoner of war and was sent first to a hospital and later to a Prisoner of War camp. On 25 March 1944 he was killed, being one of the 50 victims murdered by the Germans as revenge for the Great Escape at Stalag Luft 3.
Along with Sous-Lt Bernard W M Scheidhauer, French, born 28-Aug-21, 131 Sqdn, who ran low on fuel and landed by mistake on Jersey, 18 Nov 1942, Spitfire Vb EN830 NX:X, whom both you and Ian also have an interest in.
The first page of the 350 (Belgian) Squadron ORB does not give a full list of names until 17/11/41 when it mentions Gonay coming from 131 as Flight Commander, and then Menu, Plas, Smets, deltour, De Puysseleyr, Plisnier, Seydel, Mater and Harmel all posted in from 131 squadron for flying duties – and Vanlerberghe from 122 squadron – with 8 more over the next few days. I have omitted the initials and ranks for brevity. I only included the 131 photo for your information as I knew it was outside of the 131/350 story. – cheers – Allan125

Maps of Airfields – Ford

125 Wing was stationed there between 18 April and 25 June 1944 – with 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron AuxAF, 132 (City of Bombay) Squadron RAF and 453 Squadron RAAF – all with Spitfire IX’s – moving from Ford to B.11 Longues-sur-Mer on June 25 – cheers – Allan125