• Base history starting in 1940.
• Formation of 350 Squadron in 1941 within the RAF.
• Formation of 349 Squadron in 1943 within the RAF.
• Both squadrons join 135Wing in Fassberg.
• Formation of 160 (Belgian) Wing within the 135Wing.
• Return of both squadrons to Beauvechain with their Spitfire MK. XVI.

"Audeo Aciem"

(I dare engage combat - Tacite)

HISTORY OF THE BASE.

The "Charles Roman" Air Base of Beauvechain has its origins in the 1930's when two lands belonging to this part of Brabant were acquired by the Belgian State with a view to establishing two airfields for the country's defensive organisation.

The first site called "Field N°25 - Hamme-Mille" is located in an area bounded by the villages of Nodebais, Tourinne-la-Grosse and Beauvechain to the North, by the district of La Baraque to the South-West, and finally by the district of Le Culot and the hamlet of La Bruyère to the East.

The second site known as "Field N°21-Beauvechain" is a large strip of land on the edge of the hamlet of "Les Burettes", which lies to the east of the village of Beauvechain.

However, it was not until September 1939, during the mobilisation, that the two airfields were summarily fitted out by the Belgian Military Aviation authorities. (Aéronautique militaire - Militair Vliegwezen)

• 3909-01 - Hamme-Mille N°25 & Beauvechain N°21 3909-01 - Hamme-Mille N°25 & Beauvechain N°21
•  

1940 

- 10^th May 1940 : German troops invade Belgium.

Schaffen airfield is attacked at dawn at 4h30.
Thirteen Gloster Gladiator of the 1/I/2 Aé (*) out of the fourteen in flying condition manage to take off and reach Beauvechain (Les Burettes) while the last one (G17), hit on the ground by a Heinkel 111 fire, collides with a Hurricane.(H20)  A Gloster (G24) hit in the engine during the attack is forced to land in a field between the two airfields.
The Hurricanes of the 2/I/2Aé are then hampered in their manoeuvres by the two burning planes and are almost all destroyed by the Luftwaffe. Only two Hurricanes out of the eleven present manage to reach Beauvechain.
At 09h00 all the personnel of the Fighter Group leaves the airfield by truck and by the "Interurban" to join the field Nr.21 (Les Burettes)

(*) 1^st Squadron of the 1^st Group of the 2^nd Aeronautical Regiment.

- 11^th May 1940 : Six Gloster Gladiator take-off in two groups from the "Burettes" at 05h30 to escort and protect a formation of nine "Fairey Battle".

Only two of the six Gloster involved will come back to the field.
At 14h00 a dozen of Messerschmitt Me109 attack the field for about twenty-five minutes. The remaining seven Gloster and two Hurricane are destroyed.
At 16h00 both squadrons, or at least what is left of them, are ordered to abandon the airfield.

- 17^th May 1940 : The Luftwaffe begins its implantation in the heart of Walloon Brabant.

As of may 17, the Luftwaffe requisitions part of the male population that has not yet evacuated the Beauvechain area in order to undertake the reallocation and development of the two airfields that are intended to be used by two air units.
Priority is given to the "Burettes" sector in order to clear the take-off area of the numerous "Gloster" wrecks destroyed on May 11th.

- 19^th May 1940 : Arrival et the "Burettes" of thirty-six "Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1" of the III/JG26 (*)

The "Gruppe" (Group) is composed of three "Staffel" (Squadrons) and is under the command of Major Ernst Freiherr von Berg. From June 11, the command of the Group will be given to the one who will become the famous "Ace" fighter pilot of the Luftwaffe : Oberstleutnant Adolf Galand who totals 3 victories since the 12^th of May.
The unit is quickly completed by the arrival of the maintenance and supply column which follows the unit from airfield to airfield.
Most of the flying and technical staff is settled in tents near the camouflaged aircraft on the edge of the woods.
The III./JG 26 will leave the plain of the "Burettes" on May 27 to approach the sector of operation of Dunkirk where the battle rages until June 4.

(*) 3rd Group of the Jagdgeschwader 26.

- 26^th May 1940 : The III./JG26 leaves Beauvechain and move closer to the operation sector of Dunkirk.

- 27^th May 1940 : Belgium surrenders.

- 1^st June 1940 : Two officers of the Territorial Air Defence Head Quarter having obtained the authorization of Lieutenant General Duvivier have decided to try to reach Great Britain.
Major aviator Renson and Captain aviator De Soomer arrive, not without difficulty, in London on June 1st. They are the two first Belgian escapees to reach Great Britain.

- 10 June 1940 : The Belgian authorities report via its Minister of Defense Lieutenant-General Henri DENIS, that soldiers who will attempt to escape will be recognized as deserters.

- 15^th June 1940 : Arrival on the field N°.25 "Hamme-Mille" of the Stab II./KG 30 (**) of Hauptmann Claus Hinkelbein with its three squadrons (Staffel) equipped with Junkers Ju 88 A-1 bombers.

The property of "L'Espinette" is requisioned to house its staff and some pilots. This is also the case for the two farms Dewaersegger and Maisin at the end of "La Bruyère" at a place called "Le Culot".
The same day, seven Junkers Ju 88 take-off for a dive-bombing mission over Cherbourg. Once the mission is completed, the formation returns without any loss to the "Hamme-Mille" airfield, which will be called from now on : "Le Culot".

(**) : 2nd Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 26.

- 18^th June 1940 : The Battle of France comes to an end. The Stab II./KG 30 leaves "Le Culot" airfield.

- 8^th July 1940 : Arrival on the "Culot" airfield of three squadrons (Staffel) of nine Dornier Do 17 Z-2 and Z-3 each, belonging to the I Group of Kampfgeschwader 3 (I./KG 3)

The fleet is reinforced by two or three Heinkel He 111, while transport is provided by a few Junkers Ju 52's shared by the entire Geschwader.
In aniticipation of action against England, the four Groups of KG 3 are distributed in Belgium on four airfields.
The Staff (Stab/KB 3) and the 2nd Group (II./KG 3) are in Deurnes, the 1st Group (I./KG 3) is in the "Culot", the 3rd Group (III./KG 3) is in Sint-Truiden and the 4th Group (IV./KG 3) is in Chièvres.

The field n°25 of "Le Culot" is now exclusively used while the airfield n°21 "Les Burettes" is temporarily abandoned because too small and offering no possibility of enlargment.
The "Culot" plain is extended over the entire "Espinette field, the Dewaersegger and Maisin farms are definitely requisitioned.
The offices of the Flight OPS, the workshops and the technical services are transported by truck and billeted at "Le Culot" of "La Bruyère" in "Wohnwagen" and "Schlafwagen". (Trailer and Sleeping-car)
The Germans make the most of the various advantages that the site offers to them. Major roads, a network of railroads, and easily accessible resources via the many neighboring farms are all favorable elements in the desicion to occupy the area.

 

1941 - 350 Squadron 

During the first months of the war, our pilots are grouped within different RAF units, isolating them of each other.
In January 1941, an agreement is reached between the British and the Belgian governments: whenever possible, our pilots will be reunited into national units.
This is the way the first Belgian “flight” is created in February 1941 within the 609 Squadron.
A second one is created within the 131 Squadron in August 1941, this one will be the basement of the 350 Squadron  on the 12^th of November 1941.
Its first commanding officer (CO) is British: S/Ldr J.Thompson.

The badge of the 350 Squadron, as all RAF Squadron badges are designed in respect with the same canvas. It consists of a "Royal Air Force blue" disk surrounded by the British Crown, and incorporating a specific emblem.
In this case, the emblem represents the head of Ambiorix the Gallic, chief of the Eburon tribe. The disk is surrounded by the mention:

350 (BELGIAN) SQUADRON – ROYAL AIR FORCE

A golden listel on the bottom contains a motto:

BELGAE GALLORUM FORTISSIMI : Julius Caesar's famous words in “de bello gallico”: “From all Gallic tribes, the Belgians are the bravest...”
 

The badge has been designed by the squadrons chaplain, Sqn Ldr Clément Boone. The original drawing, signed and approved by King Georges VI, is preserved at the College of Arms.

It is to be noted, that the first project, that was sent to the Ministry for approval on May 23, 1944.was accepted on June 7, but will be refused later by RAF, considering, that Ambiorix’s hair was to long !

The drawing will be finally modified in order to be accepted by King George VI.

• 4100-01 350 Sqn Badge 4100-01 350 Sqn Badge
• 4100-02 Padre Clement Boone 4100-02 Padre Clement Boone
• 4100-03 350Sqn Badge Project 1 4100-03 350Sqn Badge Project 1
• 4100-04 350Sqn Badge Project 2 4100-04 350Sqn Badge Project 2
•  

See “links – Beauvechain & BAF” to find a site dedicated to 350 Squadron during the Battle of Britain”, or click here.

1943 - 349 Squadron 

The 349 Squadron, our second national Squadron, is created on January 11, 1943 in Ikeja (Nigeria).

The squadron badge is approved in August 1944 by King George VI. It has been designed by the Chester Herald of the Royal College of Herald.
 
The 349 Sqn badge differs from the 350 Sqn badge by the following :
The emblem in this case is the two “Goedendag”, two crossed "masses of arms" on a white background surrounded by the Royal Air Force Blue circle surrounded by the squadron designation :

349 (BELGIAN) SQUADRON – ROYAL AIR 

The CO du Monceau de Bergendael (*) had the idea to use the “Goedendags”, as this weapon was one of the most feared in the Middle Age history of Belgium.

The “Goedendags” were used on July 11, 1302 during the battle of Courtrai (Battle of the Golden Spurs), when the Walloons and the Flemish joined Robert de Bétune (son of Gui de Dampierre, Count of Flanders) to evict the king of France, Philippe IV.

(*) CO 349 Sqn from June 8 until July 22, 1944.

The motto used for the 349 Squadron is a citation of the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill:

 STRIKE HARD – STRIKE HOME 

• 4300-01 349 Sqn Badge 4300-01 349 Sqn Badge
• 4300-02 CO Y. de Bergendael 4300-02 CO Y. de Bergendael
•  

1945

- May 7, 1945: The defeat of Germany is near.
 

The 350 Sqn is based in Fassberg, at 40 km from the Elbe river, the line of demarcation between the British and the Russian zones.
The Squadron Leader H.Walmsley is in command of the squadron. consisting of 22 pilots, 5 of them are British.
 
The 349 Sqn is based in Varrelbush.
The Squadron Leader “Cheval” Lallemand being in command. The squadron is composed of 27 pilots, 7 of them are British.

Both squadrons are a part of the 2TAF.

Hundred and thirty-four Belgian pilots served in 2 TAF; thirty-four of them will lose their live in combat.

In the early part of 1945, the two Belgian squadrons are equipped with two different types of aircraft.
The 349 Sqn uses the Spitfire Mk.IX while the 350 Sqn flies the Spitfire Mk.XIV
The 349 Sqn will keep the Spitfire Mk.IX till May 1945, then will be equipped with the Mk.XVI, while the 350 Sqn will retain the Spitfire Mk..XIV till November 1945, before to be reequipped with the Mk.XVI.

 

- July 1945: For the first time, both squadrons are reunited within the same unit, the 123Wing  based in Wunsdorf.

- August 1945: The 350 Squadron moves from Wunsdorf to Fassberg, it will be joined very soon by the 349 Sqn in November.

- August 16th 1945 : Sqn Ldt Remy "Mony" Van Lierde, second highest-scoring V1 killer (44) takes the command of 350 squadron.

• 450816-01 Sqn Ldr Remy Van Lierde 450816-01 Sqn Ldr Remy Van Lierde
•  

- November 1945: Both squadrons join the 135 Wing  in Fassberg.

At mid-September 1944, the major part of the national territory is freed. On the 8th of September already, the Belgian government is back in the country.
It is the time now to rebuild a military aviation, released from the RAF guardianship. There is of course a great desire to see the Belgian nationality markings back in the sky.
But it is clear, that at the end of 1945, there is no airfield in acceptable condition to accept the aircraft, there is no operational as well as logistical structure, and not enough technicians to maintain the aircraft.

Fortunately, the Royal Air Force authorities accepts to keep our squadrons under its command and organization until the end of 1946. This period is used to create a “Commission to reorganize the Belgian Military Aeronautic” as well as a “Commission for Airfields”.

It quickly appears that the only airfields, that can be used, are the ones built by the Luftwaffe during the war. They've been all bombed during 1944 and they all need heavy repair before receiving our squadrons.
As early as September 1945, the choice for Beauvechain is clear, only the financial support to rebuild the airfield is missing.

 

1946
 

- 1946 : An agreement for 20 million BF is signed with the “Compagnie des Chemins de Fer et d’Entreprises”  to restore Beauvechain airfield.

 

160 (Belgian) Wing
 

- Early 1946 : the Belgian Wing is formally created in Fassberg, as a part of 135Wing and is identified as 160 (Belgian) Wing.

The first Wing Commander  is Daniel Le Roy du Vivier. His Second in Command, Squadron Leader Léon Prévot, becomes the first OSN (Senior Flying Officer), he will replace him as from July. 

The squadron leaders are :

• Sqn Ldr Albert Van de Velde, CO of the 349 Squadron since the 17th of December 1945.
  He succeeded to the Sqn Ldr R.Lallemand (CO since 1945)
• Sqn Ldr Remy Van Lierde, the V1 Flying Bomb Ace, in command of the 350 Squadron since the 16th of August 1945.

The British pilots have now left the two squadrons, each of them comprising now more than 30 pilots per squadron.

• 4600-01 135 Wing Fassberg 4600-01 135 Wing Fassberg
•  

Picture 4600-01 : Some members of the 135Wing around a Spitfire Mk.XVI belonging to the 349 Squadron.  (From L to R)

• Sqn Ldr R.N.G. Allen                                 
• Sqn Ldr Remy Van Lierde                                    CO 350 Sqn
• Gp Capt H.P. Broad                                     
• Wg Cdr Léon Prévot                                             Wing Leader 160 (Belgian) Wing
  
  Spitfire Mk.XVI - Presumed TE191 GE-G "STAD GENT"  - Personal aircraft of  CO Albert Van de Velde.  
  
  
• Sqn Ldr Albert Van de Velde                                CO 349 Sqn
• Wg Cdr Robert Deacon-Elliott                              Wing Leader 135 Wing
• Sqn Ldr Dennis.C. Usher                                     CO 16 Sqn RAF 
• ???

- April 1946 : The Spitfires XVI of the 160(Belgian)Wing proudly display their new belgian roundels.

• 4603-01 Spitfire XVI - 350Sqn - Fassberg 4603-01 Spitfire XVI - 350Sqn - Fassberg
• 4603-02 Spitfire XVI - 350Sqn - Fassberg 4603-02 Spitfire XVI - 350Sqn - Fassberg
•  

 - July 1946 : Negotiations with the British authorities are initiated, the purpose of these being to provide all the necessary equipment required to establish an independent military aviation ; the equipment going from combat aircraft to kitchen supply.
The negotiation on combat aircraft concerns the equipment of our two squadrons in Fassberg, the creation of a two new fighter squadrons and one night fighter squadron.
Our two squadrons (349 Sqn & 350Sqn) are then still equipped with Spitfire LF XVI with Packard Merlin 266 engines (1720 HP).
96 Spitfire XIV with Rolls-Royce Griffon engines (2050 HP) are initially ordered to equip 4 squadrons with 16 aircraft and guarantee a reserve of 32 aircraft.
22 Mosquitos NF30 will be ordered as future night fighters.

• 4511-03 Spitfire XVI - MN-E - 350 Sqn 4511-03 Spitfire XVI - MN-E - 350 Sqn
• 4511-06 Spitfire XVI - GE-R - 349 Sqn 4511-06 Spitfire XVI - GE-R - 349 Sqn
• 4511-08 Spitfire XVI - GE-H - 349Sqn 4511-08 Spitfire XVI - GE-H - 349Sqn
• 4511-09 Spitfire XVI - GE-H - 349Sqn 4511-09 Spitfire XVI - GE-H - 349Sqn
•  

• Pictures 4511-03 : Spitfire XVI TD124 MN-E from 350 Sqn.
  On the left side of the cockpit, the zap represent a stork, the emblem of the RAF 345 French Squadron, which used the aircraft until 18^th of January 1946.
  This aircraft will be destroyed on the 05.October.1946 at Darup, not far from Münster.
  During a navigation, Wg Cdr Léon Prévot experienced an engine shutdown and was forced to proceed to an emergency belly landing.  Wg Cdr Prévot will be slightly injured and treated at the Münster hospital. 
• Picture 4511-06 : GE-R (TD184) is one of the first Spitfires XVI delivered to the 349 Sqn in April 1945.
  She will be part of the 27 Spitfires XVI loaned by R.A.F. to the newly ceated Belgian Air Force (*) pending the delivery of the Spitfire XIV.
  (*) The Belgian Air Force will be officialy created on the 24.October.1946.
• Picture 4511-08 & 4511-09 : Spitfire XVI TE119 GE-H "Mady" has been delivered to the 349 Sqn in May 1946.
  This aircraft will be also part of the 27 aircraft loaned to the Belgian Air Force.

- August 1946 : The 160(Belgian)Wing authorities confirm that both squadron will be back in Belgium by the end of October.

In turn, the 349 Sqn receives three new Spitfire XVI : TB480 (GE-Y), TE284 (GE-T) and TE444 (GE-P)
At the end of the month orders come that the squadron have to move to Ghent in September for a display. The mechanics therefore work very hard even on the saturday and sunday to bring the number of serviceable aircraft from 6 to 14.
Two Spitfire's, the GE-D (TD237) and GE-G (TE191) will be specially stripped of their camouflaged paint and polished for the occasion.

• 4608-01 Spit XVI - 349Sqn - 1946 4608-01 Spit XVI - 349Sqn - 1946
• 4608-02 Spit XVI - 349Sqn - 1946 4608-02 Spit XVI - 349Sqn - 1946
• 4608-03 Spit XVI - 349Sqn - 1946 4608-03 Spit XVI - 349Sqn - 1946
• 4608-04 - Spit XVI - TB480 - GE-Y 4608-04 - Spit XVI - TB480 - GE-Y
• 4608-05 - Spit XVI - TD237 - GE-D 4608-05 - Spit XVI - TD237 - GE-D
• 4608-06 - Spit XVI - TD237 - GE-D 4608-06 - Spit XVI - TD237 - GE-D
• 4608-07 - Spit XVI - TE191 - GE-G 4608-07 - Spit XVI - TE191 - GE-G
•  

- September 7 & 8 : First official appearance of 349 sqn & 350 sqn during an air show organized by the city of Gent on the field of Sint Denijs Westrem. This airshow is the first in Europe since the end of the war.
A total of 24 Spitfire are presented to the Belgian public.
As the city of Gent officially sponsored 349 Sqn, Spitfire GE-G is named “City of Gent”. Squadron Leader A. Van de Velde, coming from Gent himself, offers Mr Edward Anseele Jr, Mayor of Gent, a picture of the Squadron Crest.

• 4609-01 Spitfire XVI - TD237 - GE- D 4609-01 Spitfire XVI - TD237 - GE- D
• 4609-02 Spitfire XVI - TD237 - GE-D 4609-02 Spitfire XVI - TD237 - GE-D
• 4609-03 Spitfire XVI - TE191 - GE-G 4609-03 Spitfire XVI - TE191 - GE-G
• 4603-04 Spitfire XVI - TE191 - GE-G 4603-04 Spitfire XVI - TE191 - GE-G
• 4609-05 : 349 Squadron crew 4609-05 : 349 Squadron crew
• 4609-06 : 350 Squadron crew 4609-06 : 350 Squadron crew
• 4609-07 : Spitfire XVI - TD184 - GE-R 4609-07 : Spitfire XVI - TD184 - GE-R
• 4609-08 : Spitfire XVI - TD184 - GE-R 4609-08 : Spitfire XVI - TD184 - GE-R
•  

• Pictures 4609-07 & 4609-08: CO Raymond “Cheval” Lallemant with Cdt Pierre Arend, display pilot, facing Spitfire GE-R TD184 of 349 Sqn named “Suzy”.
  
  
  

- October 15, 1946: As agreed with the British authorities, our squadrons are not under British command anymore. “Belgian Military Aviation” is born.


 

24 Oct 1946 : The return.

 

- October 24, 1946 : Both 349 and 350 Squadrons leave Fassberg and move to Beauvechain (Le Culot).

Before arriving at the airfield, the aircraft land in Evere, where the official welcoming ceremony lead by the Minister of Defense, Colonel Raoul de Fraiteur, takes place.
The allied authorities present in Belgium are also present.
This ceremony marks the revival of our independent Military Aviation.

• 4610-01 Spitfire XVI (349 Sqn) Evere 1946 4610-01 Spitfire XVI (349 Sqn) Evere 1946
• 4610-02 Spitfire XVI (349 Sqn) Evere 1946 4610-02 Spitfire XVI (349 Sqn) Evere 1946
• 4610-03 Spitfire XVI (349 Sqn) Evere 1946 4610-03 Spitfire XVI (349 Sqn) Evere 1946
•  

- October 24, 1946, p.m. : An engine roaring sound fills the sky above Beauvechain, braking the rural quietness of a fall day: 22 Spitfires wearing Belgian crests with blue propeller hubs (349 Sqn code GE) and red propeller hubs (350 Sqn code MN) fly over the airfield, sleeping since the end of the war, then land one by one (*).

• 4611-01 Spitfire XIV 349 & 350 Sqn 4611-01 Spitfire XIV 349 & 350 Sqn
•  

(*) It has to be noted that to make the difference between the two squadrons, each one will choose a specific colour. It will be blue for 349 Sqn and red for 350 Sqn.
The 350 Sqn will modify its crest by replacing the classical "RAF blue" color by a flashy red one.

The Belgian military aviation is born;  “349” and “350” squadrons is the basement of it.
This part of the Province of Brabant will be for the next fifty years, the home of the faithful of Ambiorix and Goedendags.

Next : 1Wing : 1946-1949