just a wee reminder of what people did

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loki100
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just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by loki100 »

In January 1943, Jean de Selys Longchamps, a Belgian RAF pilot, switched off his radio, left his squadron over Ghent and turned his plane toward Brussels. He attacked the Gestapo HQ, dropped a Belgian flag and made it back to England. He was both demoted and decorated for this.

He had evaded air defence by flying low and used the line of the Avenue Émile De Mot to guide him to the building on Avenue Louise. He then fired his plane's canon, killing a number of Gestapo officers inside. Locals would keep walking past the building later, much to the Nazi's annoyance.

De Selys Longchamps was 30 at the time and was killed just a few months later when his plane crashed on landing after a sortie over Ostend. He had been at Dunkirk, returned to France, was captured and interned by the Vichy authorities, escaped to the UK again and joined the RAF.

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durangokid
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by durangokid »

So now there are two famous Belgians. Nice story, thanks for the post.
Alan Sharif
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by Alan Sharif »

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.
A Sharif
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warspite1
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by warspite1 »

ORIGINAL: loki100

In January 1943, Jean de Selys Longchamps, a Belgian RAF pilot, switched off his radio, left his squadron over Ghent and turned his plane toward Brussels. He attacked the Gestapo HQ, dropped a Belgian flag and made it back to England. He was both demoted and decorated for this.

He had evaded air defence by flying low and used the line of the Avenue Émile De Mot to guide him to the building on Avenue Louise. He then fired his plane's canon, killing a number of Gestapo officers inside. Locals would keep walking past the building later, much to the Nazi's annoyance.

De Selys Longchamps was 30 at the time and was killed just a few months later when his plane crashed on landing after a sortie over Ostend. He had been at Dunkirk, returned to France, was captured and interned by the Vichy authorities, escaped to the UK again and joined the RAF.

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warspite1

Great story - thanks for sharing.
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mikkey
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by mikkey »

Very interesting story, thanks for sharing!
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Greybriar
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by Greybriar »

Great story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
This war is not about slavery. --Robert E. Lee
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CGGrognard
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by CGGrognard »

Thanks for sharing this very interesting story.
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demyansk
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by demyansk »

Never heard of this, not much on Belgium except for DeGrelle. Plus the greatest cyclist of all time Eddy Mercx 1960's - 1970's.
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by GaryChildress »

I love stories like these. So out of the ordinary and very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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OttoVonBlotto
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by OttoVonBlotto »

"Personal isn't the same as important"
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Zap
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RE: just a wee reminder of what people did

Post by Zap »


[quote]ORIGINAL: Otto von Blotto

https://wonderfulwanderings.com/famous-belgians/
[/quot

Oh so the Belgium's did the Roller Skate!
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