DUCHESNE, Georges Francois Jean
Stats:
rank: F/Ostatus: kia
airforce: RAF (no: 132975 )
born: 1916-05-11 Seraing-sur-Meuse Belgium
added by: Adrian Dwyer
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Bio / Text:
Duchesne was a member of Aé Mil before the War. He evaded from Belgium on 1 March 1942, and arrived in the UK on 20 (or 21) August 1942 by aircraft from Lisbon. He enlisted as P/O into the Belgian Section of the RAF on 10 November 1942., and was sent for training with 5 PAFU (17/11/1942), AFU (23/12/1942) and61 OTU (09/02/1943). Posted to 350 Squadron on 6 April 1943, he was promotedF/O (war sub) on 11 May 1943. The Squadron diary records his arrival with other new pilots thus:
"09/04/1943 - Another batch of fresh pilots arrives at Acklington: M. Brosteau, G. Duchesne and J. Gérard."
It also details one of the 'Rhubarbs' with which he was involved
"13/11/43 - RHUBARB OPERATIONS. F/O MICHIELS and F/O DUCHESNE. UP 12.45 Hours. Down 13.55 Hours; Intension was to cover A/D 's BELSELE and SWEVEZEELE. Railway's LOKEREN, TERMONDE, ALOST, NINOVE, GRAMMONT, AUDENARDE. "
When flying a 'Ranger' to St. Omer on 30 January 1944, his Spitfire LF IX MH428 MN-Z was hit by flak, and he crashed and was killed. The intense nature of the 'Ranger' ops is captured in the following entry from the Squadron diary:
"30/01/1944 - During 2 Rangers performed that day over the Pas de Calais, G. Duchesne, a member of the first mission was shot down by the Flak of Middelkerke. During the second mission J. Gérard was also hit by Flak, successfully flew back and crashed when trying to land at Hawkinge. Rescued from the burning plane, he died of his injuries several hours later. F/O Siroux was shot up, but gets back to Hornchurch unhurt."
Georges Duchesne was buried in the Parish Cemetery at St. Marie-Kerque but was transferred subsequently to the Evere Cemetery (Pelouse d'honneur à la Force Aérienne) on 5 September 1950.
Known awards
Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold with Palm, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 (Posthumous), Croixdes Evadés, Volunteer Medal 1939-1945 (Posthumous), The Belgian Commemorative Medal of the War1940-45, 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, War Medal 1939-1945
"09/04/1943 - Another batch of fresh pilots arrives at Acklington: M. Brosteau, G. Duchesne and J. Gérard."
It also details one of the 'Rhubarbs' with which he was involved
"13/11/43 - RHUBARB OPERATIONS. F/O MICHIELS and F/O DUCHESNE. UP 12.45 Hours. Down 13.55 Hours; Intension was to cover A/D 's BELSELE and SWEVEZEELE. Railway's LOKEREN, TERMONDE, ALOST, NINOVE, GRAMMONT, AUDENARDE. "
When flying a 'Ranger' to St. Omer on 30 January 1944, his Spitfire LF IX MH428 MN-Z was hit by flak, and he crashed and was killed. The intense nature of the 'Ranger' ops is captured in the following entry from the Squadron diary:
"30/01/1944 - During 2 Rangers performed that day over the Pas de Calais, G. Duchesne, a member of the first mission was shot down by the Flak of Middelkerke. During the second mission J. Gérard was also hit by Flak, successfully flew back and crashed when trying to land at Hawkinge. Rescued from the burning plane, he died of his injuries several hours later. F/O Siroux was shot up, but gets back to Hornchurch unhurt."
Georges Duchesne was buried in the Parish Cemetery at St. Marie-Kerque but was transferred subsequently to the Evere Cemetery (Pelouse d'honneur à la Force Aérienne) on 5 September 1950.
Known awards
Knight's Cross in the Order of Leopold with Palm, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 (Posthumous), Croixdes Evadés, Volunteer Medal 1939-1945 (Posthumous), The Belgian Commemorative Medal of the War1940-45, 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, War Medal 1939-1945
Squadrons:
| Squadrons add | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Airforce | Sqdrn | Start | Finish |
| none provided | |||
Aircraft:
| Aircraftadd | ||
|---|---|---|
| Serial | Note | Date |
| MH428 | 1943-11-13 | |
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