Giovani Dieu

Hello Snapper,

Just to mention that Giovani Dieu was awarded a AFC (28 November 1945) and not a DFC.

He was born at Chatelineau (Charleroi), 12 August 1907. Pupil of 49th promotion, he gained his wings on 31 May 1928 with the rank of Corporal.
He joined the 1st Regiment Aéronautique Militaire, was Adjudant at the 3rd Regiment Aéronautique Militaire and Lt at the Flying School when War broke out. He escaped to England when Belgium capitulated and joined the RAFVR (RAF ID N°81633) on 1st July 1940. He took part at the Battle of Britain with 236 Sqn. He was then posted to 609 Sqn. Further career saw him posted to the Belgian Flying School and later on to the the Belgian Section of RAF at Eaton Square, he attained the rank of S/Ldr.
After the War he joined the Belgian Air Force. He died at Woluwe-St-Lambert (Brussels) on 26 October 1978.

Regards,

BRAF

RE: Belgian Pilots flying with the RAF

Hello Ian,

Some further information about S/Ldr Henry “Moustique (translated : Mosquito)”Gonay DFC :

– Gonay engaged the Aéronautique Militaire Belge on 30 November 1931. where he he joined the 67nd Promotion.

– After the French Capitulation, Adjudant Gonay together with Phillipart ( 6 Kills during BoB,213 Sqn, KIA 22 August 1940 ), Buchin (1 Kill BoB,213 Sqn,KIA 15 August 1940 ) and Giovany Dieu AFC ( 1 Kill, survived the war) escaped via Bayonne onboard of the “Koningin Emma” (translated : Queen Emma) and arrived in Great Britain on June 23, 1940. He enroled the Belgian Forces in UK and voluntered to the RAFVR on July 1, 1940.

– His high skill as pilot saw his transfert to the Franco-Belgian Flying Training School at Odiham on October 23, 1940, as insructor.

– His Ranks :

Aéronautique Militaire Belge :

Corporal pupil pilot 31 May 1932
Corporal Pilot 24 May 1933
Sergeant Pilot 31 July 1933
1st Sergeant Pilot 21 December 1935
Adjudant Pilot 26 December 1938

RAFVR :

P/O 12 July 1940
F/O 12 July 1941
Acting F/Lt 28 September 1941
F/Lt 12 July 1942
Acting S/Ldr 31 August 1942

– DFC Citation (Posthume 2 July 1944):

Squadron Leader H. Gonay has completed 138 operational sorties and has dislayed outstanding ability, courage and determination which have contributed largely to the successes achieved by his squadron. Squadron Leader Gonay has destroyed one enemy aircraft and damaged further three. He also sunk a 100 ton support vessel.

Hope this match your demand

Braf