PLISNIER, André
Stats:
rank: F/Lstatus: survived
airforce: RAF (no: 100654 )
born: 1920-11-02 Wandre Belgium
added by: Adrian Dwyer
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Bio / Text:
André ' Plis' Plisnier enlisted on August 31, 1939, in the Belgian artillery. Posted at the Fortress of Namur he was promoted Sgt and he volunteered for pilot at the Aéronautique. At the outbreak of War, he moved with the Flying School as it relocated to France and then to Morocco. He escaped to the UK were he arrived on 5 August 1940.
He enlisted in the RAFVR on 13 August 1940 and was sent for training at 13 EFTS (23 December 1940), 5 SFTS (2 April 1941) and completed his training with 58 OTU where he arrived as P/O on 10 July 1941. He joined the BelgianFlight of 131 Sqn on 25 August 1941 and was transferred to the newly formed 350 (BE) Sqn on 14 November 1941. Promoted to F/O on 6 July 1942, (Acting) F/Lt on 29December 1942 and takes command of "B" Flight. (He was hospitalized several times during the period between 7 October 1942 and 22 October 1943). Promoted F/Lt (WSR) on 6 July 1943 Plisnier was Posted to HQ , 9 Group (3 January 1944), N°2 Tactical Exercice Unit (5 January 1944), RAF Station Lulsgate Bottom (19 January 1944). He returned to 350 Sqn on 26 April 1944, and on 10 June 1944 he became C.O. of "A" Flight. Attached to the USAAF from 13 November 1944 until 15 January 1945, he flew 8 operational missions with 336Sqn of 4 FG (P-51D). The Squadron diary contains numerous references:
12/11/1941 Official creation of 350 (Belgian) Squadron at Valley. The following pilots are transferred from 131 (County of Kent) Squadron: S/Ldr J. Thompson, H. Gonay (Fl/Co), X. Menu, E. Plas, H. Smets, G. Deltour, A. Plisnier, G. Seydel, J. Ester, L. Harmel, R. De Wever, H. Picard, G. Livijns and J. Depuysseleyr who will leave the Squadron a few days later, joining the Aerial Reconnaissance.
22/12/1941 350 Sqn is declared operational. First alert at 8.55 hrs: A. Plisnier and G. Seydel take off for a convoy protection. Ten other convoy protection missions are flown that day.
23/05/1942 Rodeo 46 with the Biggin Hill Wing and Hornchurch Wing. The squadron is involved in a clash with Fw-190's (II and III/JG.26). "Plis" Plisnier obtains the first confirmed kill of 350 and also damaged another one. Boussa and Laumans also each damaged a Fw-190. During the same melee Winterbeeck was shot down and crashed in to the sea and was reported MIA. Peeters, crash landed near Calais after being hit and was taken prisoner.
19/08/1942 Dieppe: 1st mission: take off at 07.20 a.m. Above Dieppe 350 Squadron met a dozen Fw-190, resulting in a destroyed Fw-190 for the "Duke", a shared for H. Picard and E. Plas and a damaged one for L. Flohimont. H. Marchal was hit and had to bale out and was made a POW. The second sortie which took off at 11 a.m. was also successful: 3 Fw-190 destroyed (F. Venesoen, A. Boussa and R. Alexandre) and 4 and 1 shared damaged (F. Boute: 1 and 1 shared with G. Seydel and A. Boussa, R. Alexandre and the "Duke", each damaged one).The third mission at 12.20 p.m. saw a Ju-88 destroyed in co-operation by H. Smets, F. Boute, A. Plisnier and J. Van Leerberghe. The last mission of the day saw 12 Spitfires taking off at 15.15 and again the squadron were successful with 2 Fw-190 destroyed (F. Venesoen and A. Plisnier) and 4 Fw-190 and one Do-217 damaged (G. Seydel, L. Flohimont, E. Plas, R. Alexandre and J. Van Leerberghe).
16/11/1942 Rhubarb: A Ju-52 is shared by A. Plisnier and F. Venesoen during a Rhubarb in the vicinity of St-Aubin Airfield.
19/11/1942 Rhubarb: Another shared for A. Plisnier who shot down a Me-110 together with L. Harmel on a Rhubarb at St-Denijs-Westrem (Ghent)
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.
29/12/1942 S/L Y. "Duke" Du Monceau de Bergendael DFC is put on rest and transferred to HQ 81 Group. Padre Boone joins the Squadron. H. Smets and A. Plisnier becomes "A" flight and "B" flight Commanders respectively.
22/01/1943 Circus 253: Escort of 12 Boston's to St-Omer: An engagement with Fw-190’s resulted in 1 destroyed for R. Alexandre and a probable for A. Plisnier. Unfortunately L. Flohimont was shot down by Major Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland of II./JG26 and KIA.
28/01/1943 During a Rhubarb to Brussels, A. Plisnier and P. Siroux each drop a Belgian Flag above the Belgian capital.
04/09/1943 A. Plisnier earns a DFC.
11/06/1944 Only 11 missions are executed today. F/L A. Plisnier is appointed CO "A" Flight and F/L G. de Patoul succeeding him as CO of "B" Flight.
19/08/1944 Ranger to Brussels: The CO, S/Ldr "Mike" Donnet, drops a Belgian Flag with signatures of all pilots executing this mission above the Belgian capital. On return, Alain Plisnier "A" Flight commander, who lost contact with the Squadron, intercepts a Ju-188 near Soignies and shot him down. This is the sole victory for the Squadron in 1944.
04/11/1944 Returning from a Ramrod, the CO, having engine troubles, is obliged to crash land near Aachen. J. Brosteaux and A. Plisnier are leaving the Squadron, A. Plisnier being sent to 336 Fighter Group , 8th USAAF, (on an exchange programme), flying Mustang's. G. Seydel coming from 349 (Belgian) Squadron takes over command of "A" Flight.
Plis Plisnier joined the 30 Belgian Leave and Rest Centre on February3rd, 1945 followed by the School of Air Support on March 22nd, 1945 - where he saw the War ending. He joined 17 SFTS in March 1946 and was posted to 525 Sqn in April 1946. When the Belgian Air Force became independent, Plisnier left service and joined SABENA.
André ' Plis' Plisnier died in Brussels on 19 February 1974.
Known awards
Distinguished Flying Cross, Knight's Cross in the Order of the Crown with Palm, Belgian Croix de Guerre with 3 Palm and 4 Bronze Lions, Officer in the Order of the Crown, Knight in the Order of Leopold II, Officer in the Order of Leopold II, Knight in th Order of Leopold, Military Decoration 2nd Class, 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Atlantic Star, Air Crew EuropeStar & Rosette, Defence Medal, French Liberation Medal
DFC Citiation of 30 August 1943:
"Has served in a fighter squadron since July 1941, and has commanded a flight in 350(Belgian) Squadron since December 1942. He has participated in 43 sorties duringwhich he has destroyed at least 3 enemy aircraft and damaged 3 others. Troughout hisoperational career, Flight Lieutenant Plisnierhas displayed keenness and and efficiencywhich have set an excellent example."
(Info Guy De Win, André Bar ' Belgians in RAF & SAAF 1940 - 1945' and Tim McCann'Association of the 4th Fighter Group')
His claims in combat are:
23/05/1942 1 FW-190 Rodeo: St-Omer
23/05/1942 1 FW-190 Damaged Rodeo: St-Omer
19/08/1942 1 FW-190 Dieppe (Operation Jubilé)
19/08/1942 1/4 Ju-88 Dieppe (Operation Jubilé)
16/11/1942 1/2 Ju-52 St-Aubin
19/11/1942 1/2 Me-110 Gent
12/12/1942 1/2 FW-190 Circus 242: St-Omer
12/12/1942 1 FW-190 Damaged Circus 242: St-Omer
22/01/1943 1 FW-190 Probable Circus 253: St-Omer
19/08/1944 1 Ju-88 Brussels
He enlisted in the RAFVR on 13 August 1940 and was sent for training at 13 EFTS (23 December 1940), 5 SFTS (2 April 1941) and completed his training with 58 OTU where he arrived as P/O on 10 July 1941. He joined the BelgianFlight of 131 Sqn on 25 August 1941 and was transferred to the newly formed 350 (BE) Sqn on 14 November 1941. Promoted to F/O on 6 July 1942, (Acting) F/Lt on 29December 1942 and takes command of "B" Flight. (He was hospitalized several times during the period between 7 October 1942 and 22 October 1943). Promoted F/Lt (WSR) on 6 July 1943 Plisnier was Posted to HQ , 9 Group (3 January 1944), N°2 Tactical Exercice Unit (5 January 1944), RAF Station Lulsgate Bottom (19 January 1944). He returned to 350 Sqn on 26 April 1944, and on 10 June 1944 he became C.O. of "A" Flight. Attached to the USAAF from 13 November 1944 until 15 January 1945, he flew 8 operational missions with 336Sqn of 4 FG (P-51D). The Squadron diary contains numerous references:
12/11/1941 Official creation of 350 (Belgian) Squadron at Valley. The following pilots are transferred from 131 (County of Kent) Squadron: S/Ldr J. Thompson, H. Gonay (Fl/Co), X. Menu, E. Plas, H. Smets, G. Deltour, A. Plisnier, G. Seydel, J. Ester, L. Harmel, R. De Wever, H. Picard, G. Livijns and J. Depuysseleyr who will leave the Squadron a few days later, joining the Aerial Reconnaissance.
22/12/1941 350 Sqn is declared operational. First alert at 8.55 hrs: A. Plisnier and G. Seydel take off for a convoy protection. Ten other convoy protection missions are flown that day.
23/05/1942 Rodeo 46 with the Biggin Hill Wing and Hornchurch Wing. The squadron is involved in a clash with Fw-190's (II and III/JG.26). "Plis" Plisnier obtains the first confirmed kill of 350 and also damaged another one. Boussa and Laumans also each damaged a Fw-190. During the same melee Winterbeeck was shot down and crashed in to the sea and was reported MIA. Peeters, crash landed near Calais after being hit and was taken prisoner.
19/08/1942 Dieppe: 1st mission: take off at 07.20 a.m. Above Dieppe 350 Squadron met a dozen Fw-190, resulting in a destroyed Fw-190 for the "Duke", a shared for H. Picard and E. Plas and a damaged one for L. Flohimont. H. Marchal was hit and had to bale out and was made a POW. The second sortie which took off at 11 a.m. was also successful: 3 Fw-190 destroyed (F. Venesoen, A. Boussa and R. Alexandre) and 4 and 1 shared damaged (F. Boute: 1 and 1 shared with G. Seydel and A. Boussa, R. Alexandre and the "Duke", each damaged one).The third mission at 12.20 p.m. saw a Ju-88 destroyed in co-operation by H. Smets, F. Boute, A. Plisnier and J. Van Leerberghe. The last mission of the day saw 12 Spitfires taking off at 15.15 and again the squadron were successful with 2 Fw-190 destroyed (F. Venesoen and A. Plisnier) and 4 Fw-190 and one Do-217 damaged (G. Seydel, L. Flohimont, E. Plas, R. Alexandre and J. Van Leerberghe).
16/11/1942 Rhubarb: A Ju-52 is shared by A. Plisnier and F. Venesoen during a Rhubarb in the vicinity of St-Aubin Airfield.
19/11/1942 Rhubarb: Another shared for A. Plisnier who shot down a Me-110 together with L. Harmel on a Rhubarb at St-Denijs-Westrem (Ghent)
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.
29/12/1942 S/L Y. "Duke" Du Monceau de Bergendael DFC is put on rest and transferred to HQ 81 Group. Padre Boone joins the Squadron. H. Smets and A. Plisnier becomes "A" flight and "B" flight Commanders respectively.
22/01/1943 Circus 253: Escort of 12 Boston's to St-Omer: An engagement with Fw-190’s resulted in 1 destroyed for R. Alexandre and a probable for A. Plisnier. Unfortunately L. Flohimont was shot down by Major Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland of II./JG26 and KIA.
28/01/1943 During a Rhubarb to Brussels, A. Plisnier and P. Siroux each drop a Belgian Flag above the Belgian capital.
04/09/1943 A. Plisnier earns a DFC.
11/06/1944 Only 11 missions are executed today. F/L A. Plisnier is appointed CO "A" Flight and F/L G. de Patoul succeeding him as CO of "B" Flight.
19/08/1944 Ranger to Brussels: The CO, S/Ldr "Mike" Donnet, drops a Belgian Flag with signatures of all pilots executing this mission above the Belgian capital. On return, Alain Plisnier "A" Flight commander, who lost contact with the Squadron, intercepts a Ju-188 near Soignies and shot him down. This is the sole victory for the Squadron in 1944.
04/11/1944 Returning from a Ramrod, the CO, having engine troubles, is obliged to crash land near Aachen. J. Brosteaux and A. Plisnier are leaving the Squadron, A. Plisnier being sent to 336 Fighter Group , 8th USAAF, (on an exchange programme), flying Mustang's. G. Seydel coming from 349 (Belgian) Squadron takes over command of "A" Flight.
Plis Plisnier joined the 30 Belgian Leave and Rest Centre on February3rd, 1945 followed by the School of Air Support on March 22nd, 1945 - where he saw the War ending. He joined 17 SFTS in March 1946 and was posted to 525 Sqn in April 1946. When the Belgian Air Force became independent, Plisnier left service and joined SABENA.
André ' Plis' Plisnier died in Brussels on 19 February 1974.
Known awards
Distinguished Flying Cross, Knight's Cross in the Order of the Crown with Palm, Belgian Croix de Guerre with 3 Palm and 4 Bronze Lions, Officer in the Order of the Crown, Knight in the Order of Leopold II, Officer in the Order of Leopold II, Knight in th Order of Leopold, Military Decoration 2nd Class, 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Atlantic Star, Air Crew EuropeStar & Rosette, Defence Medal, French Liberation Medal
DFC Citiation of 30 August 1943:
"Has served in a fighter squadron since July 1941, and has commanded a flight in 350(Belgian) Squadron since December 1942. He has participated in 43 sorties duringwhich he has destroyed at least 3 enemy aircraft and damaged 3 others. Troughout hisoperational career, Flight Lieutenant Plisnierhas displayed keenness and and efficiencywhich have set an excellent example."
(Info Guy De Win, André Bar ' Belgians in RAF & SAAF 1940 - 1945' and Tim McCann'Association of the 4th Fighter Group')
His claims in combat are:
23/05/1942 1 FW-190 Rodeo: St-Omer
23/05/1942 1 FW-190 Damaged Rodeo: St-Omer
19/08/1942 1 FW-190 Dieppe (Operation Jubilé)
19/08/1942 1/4 Ju-88 Dieppe (Operation Jubilé)
16/11/1942 1/2 Ju-52 St-Aubin
19/11/1942 1/2 Me-110 Gent
12/12/1942 1/2 FW-190 Circus 242: St-Omer
12/12/1942 1 FW-190 Damaged Circus 242: St-Omer
22/01/1943 1 FW-190 Probable Circus 253: St-Omer
19/08/1944 1 Ju-88 Brussels
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