COLLIGNON, Leopold
Stats:
rank: S/Lstatus: survived
airforce: RAF (no: 116288 )
born: 1910-12-11 Liege Belgium
added by: Adrian Dwyer
add
All Images:
Bio / Text:
Collignon enlisted on 22/11/1929 and was appointed on a Voluntary engagement for two years in the Aéronautique Militaire (31 March 1930) and admitted to the 62 promotion.
His progression was: Caporal aviteur on 30 September 1930. Posted to 2 Rgt Aé on 27 July 1931. Promoted Sergeant aviateur on 31 July 1931. Re-engagement for one year on 18 April 1932. 1° Sergeant aviateur on 31 July 1932. Re-engagement for one year on 18 April 1934. Admited into the active corps of NCO and posted to 1 Rgt Aé, 25 October 1935. Takes his oath on 1 February 1936. Promoted Adjutant aviateur on 26 September 1936 and posted to the Flying School.
Upon the invasion of Belgium he was evacuated to Morocco with his unit; but returned to Belgium after the capitulation of France. He escaped to Great Britain via France in the August of 1941, arriving on 12 October 1941. Enlisted in VR of the RAF, 20 January 1942. Sent for training and attended following units: 1 RAF Depot (21/01/42), 9 SFTS (23/02/42), 52 OTU (10/03/42).
Leopold 'Coco' Collignon was posted to 122 (Bombay) Sqn (12 June 1942) and the to 350 Sqn (BE), on 2 September 1942. Promoted F/O on 1 October 1942 and posted to 64 Sqn on 14 March 1943. F/Lt on 21 January 1944, he was rested and sent to the Central Gunnery School on 19 April 1944. A posting to 'BIG' (the Belgian Inspectorate General) saw him arriving on 6 June 1944.
He became the 6th CO of 350 on 23 October 1944. On 24 December 1944, S/Ldr Collignon flying a mission in the region of Houffalize-Malmedy, was hit by flak, reached the friendly lines and baled out at low altitude, breaking his leg badly. He was
evacuated to a Hospital in England on 25 December 1944 and saw no further operational actions during the War. Joined the Belgian Air Force after the War. He retired as Lt-Colonel. 'Coco' Collignon died on 11 September 1995.
Knight Cross in the order of the Crown with Palm, Gold Medal in the Order of Leopold II, Order of the Crown with Golden Palms, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm and Bronze Lion, Evader Cross, War Medal 1939-45, 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star.
From the 350 (BE) Squadron diary
12/12/1942 Circus 242: A clash with Fw-190 (I and II/JG.26) in the vicinity of St-Omer results in 1 damaged each for the "Duke" and L. Collignon and 2 other damaged for A. Plisnier. Plisnier hit during this meleé, crash-landed in the vicinity of Dover. W. de Merode, also hit, had to bail out over enemy territory. He successfully evades capture in France and arrives back in the UK in April 1943.
02/09/1943 H. Smets is transferred to 129 (Mysore) Squadron and sees the return of F/Lt L. Collignon who takes over command of "A" flight.
16/04/1944 Collignon is designated to follow a PAI course (Pilot Armament Instructor).
19/05/1944 Collignon returns from the PAI course. Shipping - Recco off Le Havre and Cherbourg.
23/10/1944 S/Ldr M. Donnet is promoted W/Cdr and leave the Squadron to lead the Hawkinge . S/Ldr Collignon is designated to take over command of 350 Squadron.
His progression was: Caporal aviteur on 30 September 1930. Posted to 2 Rgt Aé on 27 July 1931. Promoted Sergeant aviateur on 31 July 1931. Re-engagement for one year on 18 April 1932. 1° Sergeant aviateur on 31 July 1932. Re-engagement for one year on 18 April 1934. Admited into the active corps of NCO and posted to 1 Rgt Aé, 25 October 1935. Takes his oath on 1 February 1936. Promoted Adjutant aviateur on 26 September 1936 and posted to the Flying School.
Upon the invasion of Belgium he was evacuated to Morocco with his unit; but returned to Belgium after the capitulation of France. He escaped to Great Britain via France in the August of 1941, arriving on 12 October 1941. Enlisted in VR of the RAF, 20 January 1942. Sent for training and attended following units: 1 RAF Depot (21/01/42), 9 SFTS (23/02/42), 52 OTU (10/03/42).
Leopold 'Coco' Collignon was posted to 122 (Bombay) Sqn (12 June 1942) and the to 350 Sqn (BE), on 2 September 1942. Promoted F/O on 1 October 1942 and posted to 64 Sqn on 14 March 1943. F/Lt on 21 January 1944, he was rested and sent to the Central Gunnery School on 19 April 1944. A posting to 'BIG' (the Belgian Inspectorate General) saw him arriving on 6 June 1944.
He became the 6th CO of 350 on 23 October 1944. On 24 December 1944, S/Ldr Collignon flying a mission in the region of Houffalize-Malmedy, was hit by flak, reached the friendly lines and baled out at low altitude, breaking his leg badly. He was
evacuated to a Hospital in England on 25 December 1944 and saw no further operational actions during the War. Joined the Belgian Air Force after the War. He retired as Lt-Colonel. 'Coco' Collignon died on 11 September 1995.
Knight Cross in the order of the Crown with Palm, Gold Medal in the Order of Leopold II, Order of the Crown with Golden Palms, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm and Bronze Lion, Evader Cross, War Medal 1939-45, 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star.
From the 350 (BE) Squadron diary
12/12/1942 Circus 242: A clash with Fw-190 (I and II/JG.26) in the vicinity of St-Omer results in 1 damaged each for the "Duke" and L. Collignon and 2 other damaged for A. Plisnier. Plisnier hit during this meleé, crash-landed in the vicinity of Dover. W. de Merode, also hit, had to bail out over enemy territory. He successfully evades capture in France and arrives back in the UK in April 1943.
02/09/1943 H. Smets is transferred to 129 (Mysore) Squadron and sees the return of F/Lt L. Collignon who takes over command of "A" flight.
16/04/1944 Collignon is designated to follow a PAI course (Pilot Armament Instructor).
19/05/1944 Collignon returns from the PAI course. Shipping - Recco off Le Havre and Cherbourg.
23/10/1944 S/Ldr M. Donnet is promoted W/Cdr and leave the Squadron to lead the Hawkinge . S/Ldr Collignon is designated to take over command of 350 Squadron.
Squadrons:
| Squadrons add | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Airforce | Sqdrn | Start | Finish |
| none provided | |||
Aircraft:
| Aircraftadd | ||
|---|---|---|
| Serial | Note | Date |
| none provided | ||
post
Comments / Questions:
post