GéRARD, Jean J.V.
Stats:
rank: F/Ostatus: kia
airforce: RAF (no: 132971 )
born: 1909-09-15 Chastres Belgium
added by: Adrian Dwyer
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Bio / Text:
Jean Jules Victor Gérard was a member of the Aé Mil before the War. He escaped from Belgium on 20 April 1942 via Portugal to Great Britain, where he arrived on 12 July 1942. He enlisted as P/O into the Belgian Section of the RAF on 11 November 1942.
Sent for training to 5 (P)AFU (17 November 1942), (P)AFU-Calverley (23 December 1942)and 61 OTU (9 February 1943), he was then Posted to 350 Sqn on 6 April 1943 - as noted in the Squadron diary: "09/04/1943 Another batch of fresh pilots arrives at Acklington: M. Brosteau, G. Duchesne and J. Gérard."
He was promoted F/O (war subs) on 11 May 1943.
On 30 January 1944, Gerard was hit by flak during a 'Ranger' to St-Omer . He managed to nurse his battle-damaged Spitfire back to Hawkinge but the aircraft caught fire on landing. Jean Gerard died of his wounds. The Squadron diary notes the following:
"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."
Known awards
Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 (Posthumous)
Sent for training to 5 (P)AFU (17 November 1942), (P)AFU-Calverley (23 December 1942)and 61 OTU (9 February 1943), he was then Posted to 350 Sqn on 6 April 1943 - as noted in the Squadron diary: "09/04/1943 Another batch of fresh pilots arrives at Acklington: M. Brosteau, G. Duchesne and J. Gérard."
He was promoted F/O (war subs) on 11 May 1943.
On 30 January 1944, Gerard was hit by flak during a 'Ranger' to St-Omer . He managed to nurse his battle-damaged Spitfire back to Hawkinge but the aircraft caught fire on landing. Jean Gerard died of his wounds. The Squadron diary notes the following:
"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."
Known awards
Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 (Posthumous)
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