SCHMITZ, Claude Alain Marie André Ghislain
Stats:
rank: P/Ostatus: kia
airforce: RAF (no: 129053 )
born: 1919-11-23 Brussels Belgium
added by: Schmitz
add
All Images:
Bio / Text:
Claude SCHMITZ escaped from Belgium in June 1941 and reached Spain after crossing France and the Bidassoa River. He was arrested and spent months in the Spanish Miranda camp. Joining Portugal first, then Gibraltar on December 3, the S.S. Batory brought him to Greenock on January 8, 1942. He incorporated Belgian forces in Tenby (Wales) but requested soon admission in the Royal Air Force.
Trained in Canada, he returned to England and participated as Spitfire IX pilot to the post-debarquement ground attacks.
He was member of the 64 Sqdn, based in Harrowbeer - South Devon. Squadron leader name was Rudland.
Attacking German forces in Borre (north of France) his spitfire IX was shot down (probably by the Flack) after setting a German truck on fire. The right wing hit a telegraph pole and the plane crashed in a meadow.
The pilot is buried in the British military cemetery at Borre.
The French town named a square in his honour
Trained in Canada, he returned to England and participated as Spitfire IX pilot to the post-debarquement ground attacks.
He was member of the 64 Sqdn, based in Harrowbeer - South Devon. Squadron leader name was Rudland.
Attacking German forces in Borre (north of France) his spitfire IX was shot down (probably by the Flack) after setting a German truck on fire. The right wing hit a telegraph pole and the plane crashed in a meadow.
The pilot is buried in the British military cemetery at Borre.
The French town named a square in his honour
Squadrons:
| Squadrons add | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Airforce | Sqdrn | Start | Finish |
| none provided | |||
Aircraft:
| Aircraftadd | ||
|---|---|---|
| Serial | Note | Date |
| none provided | ||
post
Comments / Questions:
post