RAF Ford

Hi Guys – delighted to say that the RAFM does hold, and more importantly sell, a copy of a map of Ford because I have one. They are available in A4 and A3 format. very detailed as well. hope that helps – cheers – Allan125

F/Lt Venesoen

Hi Geoff – I am fortunate enought to possess most of 350 (Belgian) Squadrons ORB, right from the beginning when it came out of the Belgian flight of 131 squadron and others serving in the RAF, “…from Belgian Flight, 131 squdron and various other Belgian pilots in Squadrons in the Command.” and I have already supplied what it says about the incident on the RAF Commands Bulletin Board – however, for the benefit of people who haven’t checked that board here it is again. “hi Guys – according to the ORB of 350 (Belgian) Squadron his loss is reported as follows: “Briefing 03.30 by S/Ldr Donnet – up 04.35 down 06.35 Assault area cover 3000 ft (F/Lt Venesoen was in Yellow section which comprised F/Lt Alexandre, F/O Lelarge F/Lt Venesoen F/O Siroux) F/Lt Alexandre was late taking off owing to R/T failure. In the channel, F/Lt Venesoen had to bale out owing to an internal glycol leak. His parachute opened alright and he was last seen by his number two (P/O L Siroux) alighting on the rough sea and struggling in the water, trying to inflate his dinghy. After F/O Siroux had pulled up to lead 3 launches to the spot no trace of f/Lt Venesoen could be found. F/O L Siroux was recalled by R/T and was told that P/O Venesoen was O.K.” and “6th June Spitfire VB EN950 F/L Venesoen baled out in channel missing. Presume killed.” – hope it helps – Allan – the action taken by the RN was perfectly normal at that time. I should add here that when Dad and his 125 Wing colleagues went bathing off off B.11 Longues-sur-Mer the sea had bits of bodies floating in it. The Navy wouldn’t take them on board because they were Army, and the Army wouldn’t touch them as they were at sea and thus the responsibility of the Navy – despite the fact that, in the main, they were Army personnel !! Presumably somebody sorted it out or they would still be there!! – cheers – Allan

Michael Donnet

Hi Chris – another attempt at the photo ??!! Lieutenant General Aviateur Baron Michael (Mike) Donnet, CVO, DFC, Croix de Guerre (Belgian) FRAeS was born in Richmond Surrey on 1st April 1917. He joined the Belgian Air Force in 1938 as an Officer Cadet and qualified as a pilot in March 1939. Taking an active part in the Belgian Air Force’s battle with the Luftwaffe in May 1940 as a reconnaissance pilot of the 9e Squadron he was taken prisoner in 1940. he escaped by air from occupied Belgium in July 1941 in a Stampe SV4 trainer and joined the Royal Air Force in England. Serving in Fighter Command, he successively became a pilot, flight commander and finally, squadron commander of No. 64 (F) squadron, RAF. In 1944, he took over No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron and later that year was appointed Wing Commander Flying , first at Hawkinge, then in 1945 at Ben****ers. Since 1946, he has served in the Belgian Ministry of Defence, he has commanded the Belgian Fighter Force, was SASO of 83 Anglo-Belgian Group, Deputy Coordinator (Air Defence) Central Europe, Chief of Staff Allied Tactical Air Force, Deputy to the Chief of Belgian Defence Staff and Chairman of the NADGE Policy Board of NATO. After two and a half years as Belgian Army, Navy and Air Attache in London, he joined the NATO Military Committee as the Belgian Military Representative. All taken from inside the back cover of “Flight to Freedom”. Hope this helps – and that the picture comes out !! – cheers Allan125

Michael Donnet

Hopefully this picture will come out – it’s Michael Donnet as CO of 350 (Belgian) Squadron in 1944. cheers – Allan125

one of our aircraft is missing

Number five – now if anybody watches the film for the first time they will have an idea of what it’s about – enjoy – Allan

one of our aircraft is missing

number three

one of our aircraft is missing

Hi Guys – Not only have I found it but a brief perusal of my “archives” reveals the following; Bomber Command – the Air Ministry account of Bomber Commands offensive against the axis Sept 1939 – July 1941 – Target Germany – The USAAF official story of the VIII Bomber Commands first year over Europe – HMSO 1944 – Air Sea Rescue – dated 1942 – By Air to Battle – the official account of the British Airborne Divisions – it is dated Oct 21st 1945 by my mother – For this I will die – a fighter pilot writes to his M.P. – East of Malta – West of Suez – The Admiralty account of the Naval War in the Eastern Mediterranean Sept 1939 – March 1941 – Coastal Command – published 1943 – Destruction of an Army – about the forerunner of the 8th Army in it’s campaign against the Italians – Prisoner of War – The first authentic account of the lives of British prisoners of war in enemy hands – published 1 january 1942 – RAF Parade – A war record of achievement – seems to have been published 1941 from the contents – the Battle of Britain August – October 1940 (Blue cover) and The Battle of Britain – an Air Ministry account of the great days from 8th August – 31st October 1940 – for which I am eternally grateful to Mum getting these whilst Dad was on active service. I also hold the little books issued to service personnel when they landed in europe (France, Belgium & Luxembourg, Holland and Germany) marked with Dad’s route from Normandy to Denmark, then back to Germany. one attached – four to follow – cheers – Allan

Tempest V – Runways to Victory book

Hi Guys – Runways to Victory can be obtained by contacting Peter Celis direct on [email]pcelis@worldonline.be[/email] – you will have to move fast as he is away on Belgian Air Force duty from 24 April to 13 May. Cost now is €64.95 including P&P to the UK. My bank (Lloyds TSB) wanted an extortionate amount to transfer euros to his account so Peter accepted that good old standby – namely cash. hope this helps – Allan