Diary

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.

16-18/11/1941

Further complement of pilots arrive from other Squadron's and OTU: J. Carlier (Fl/Co), J. Van Leerberghe, L. Peeters, J. Blairon, R. Alexandre, L. Heimes, A. Custers, J. Hansez, H. Limet, A. Michiels, F. Venesoen, R. Schrobiltgen and
H. Van Moffaert

24/11/1941

Notified by No 3 Delivery Flight at Hawarden, that 5 Spitfire Mk II would be delivered. One pilot of the delivery flight crashed near the Menai straits, killing the pilot.  Sgt  A. Claesen posted to 350 Squadron, on attachment to No 3 Delivery Flight, pending his arrival with aircraft crashed off the runway and was seriously injured. The three remaining aircraft did not attempt the journey.

25/11/1941

Arrival of the three remaining aircraft.

04/12/1941

The squadron starts training with 8 aircraft on strength.

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.

31/12/1941

The squadrons strength consists of 25 pilots and 19 Spitfire MK II.

08/01/1942

"B"  Flight CO J. Carlier collided with a Lysander and crash landed. Severely injured, he was evacuated to Hospital for several months.

17/01/1942

D. Guillaume transferred from 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, takes over the command of "B" Flight

07/02/1942

7 Supplementary Spitfires arrives at the squadron.

08/02/1942

Last Spitfire Mk II arrives at 350. The squadron starts conversion on Spitfire Mk V. These are paid with funds collected in the Belgian Congo.

10/02/1942

The squadron move to Northolt via Atcham.

12/02/1942

Official inauguration of the Squadron, this is in presence of Sir Archibald Sinclair, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Air Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas and several Belgian Politicians. The Flag of the 2nd Regiment of the Aéronautique Militaire is handed over to the Squadron by the Belgian Minister of Defence Camile Gutt. 3 Flypasts of 12 planes are executed:  a Flypast with 4 sections in "Line Astern", one Flypast "Starboard Echelon" and a last one of three "Boxes" in "Vic" formation.

13/02/1942

Redeployment to Valley.

17/02/1942

The Squadron is attached to 10 Group and stationed at Atcham.

03/03/1942

F. Boute freshly graduated arrives from OTU

04/03/1942

M. Raes arrives at the squadron from OTU

20/03/1942

D. Guillaume takes over command of 350 Squadron. Y. "Duke" Du Monceau de Bergendael transferred from 609 (West Riding) Squadron takes over command of "B" Flight.

28/03/1942

H. Gonay "A" Flight CO  is transferred to OTU as instructor  and is replaced by A. Boussa.

03/04/1942

E. Winterbeeck and R. Laumans are transferred from 74 (Tiger) Squadron.

05-14/04/1942

Gunnery training at Warmwell

15/04/1942

Deployment of the squadron at Debden.

25-27/04/1942

33 Convoy protection patrols are executed totalling 41 Flying Hours.

28/04/1942

Starting of "Circus - Rodeo - Ranger and Rhubarb" missions.

03/05/1942

11 a.m. Flight over Poperinge, Veurne and Kassel

05/05/1942

Circus 156: Escort of 6 Boston bombers on the Cokes Factories west of Zee- bruges together with 65 (East India), 71 (Eagle) and 111 Squadron's.

06/05/1942

Circus 160: First dogfight executed by the "Duke" and J. Hansez against Me-109, no results

07/05/1942

Circus 165: High cover of 6 Boston bombers with 111 Sqn. encountered little flak.

09/05/1942

Circus 168: Escort to bomb Hazebrouck:  the "Duke" opens the score with one Me-109 damaged after been separated from the Squadron due an oxygen problem and heading to Manston.

Circus 170: 5 p.m. High cover with 65 (East India) Squadron to Bruges. "Red 4" Sgt  J. Blairon,  wounded after been engaged by FW-190 had to bail out into the sea. Picked up by ASR, he died of his injuries in the evening

13/05/1942

Sgt José Blairon buried at Brockwood.

19/05/1942

Circus 175: Evening, "Rear Support" of 6 Hurribombers to St-Omer. An engagement against 30 Me-109 and Fw-190 saw a Me-109 Damaged for "Duke" and a Probable for J. Ester. Ester's plane was hit in this frontal engagement and he had to bail out. He was rescued by the ASR.  

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.

01/06/1942

Circus 176: "Target Cover" with Debden Wing over Bruges, the squadron met 20 Fw-190's (Stab, I and III/JG.26) near Ostend. "Duke" shot down one of these but Livijns and Hansez are reported MIA. Laumans was shot down (probably by Oberst Josef "Pips" Priller, Stab III./JG26) near Ostend and rescued after two days by the Germans. Made POW, he was send to Germany.

04/06/1942
 

Rodeo 70: Whilst the Squadron flew at 30,000ft above Cap Griz Nez, the plane of Schrotbiltgen  slowly left  the formation turned on his back and dived in to the sea. He was probably a victim of oxygen starvation.

13/06/1942
 

Returning from a convoy protection M. Raes lost his leader due to bad weather and hit Barrage Balloon cables. He died when he crashed near Norwich.

15/06/1942

First "Rhubarb" executed by Venesoen and Seydel in the region of Furnes and Nieuport.

22/06/1942

Ramrod 35: Dunkirk. As Primary target was not found. The formation turned North-East and attacked Coxyde instead. 350 Flying with Hornchurch Wing was flying a diversion and drew III/JG.26 into a fight off Dunkirk. 1WIA.

29/06/1942

Circus 195: "Escort Cover" of 12 Boston to Hazebrouck. A clash with Fw-190's resulted in 2 confirmed kills for Picard. During the same melee, De Wever was shot down and made POW.

30/06/1942

The squadron is completed by J. Rigole arriving from the OTU. L. Flohimont and H. Marchal saw their transfer from 123 (East India) Squadron as did P. Arend who arrived from 325 Squadron. Van Moffaert left the squadron joining Training Command. The Squadron moved to Gravesend.

02/07/1942

A DFC was awarded to the "Duke"

07/07/1942

Redeployment of the squadron to Martlesham.

16/07/1942

The squadron deploys to Kenley.

19/07/1942

First "Ranger" over the Channel

24/07/1942

A day of several "Rhubarbs". A. Van den Haute, M. Charlier and R. Dehasse joined 350 Sqn.

30/07/1942

"Ramrod" to Fort Rouge Airfield. A dogfight with Me-109 (II/JG.26) and FW-190 (JG.2) resulted in 2 probables and a damaged. Marchal was hit  and had to force land near Sandwich.

05/08/1942

Rhubarb: G. Seydel is hit by Flak near Bray Dunes. He bailed out 15 miles off Manston and is rescued by ASR.

10/08/1942

Beachy Head: X. Menu disappeared into the sea returning from a early evening patrol.

13/08/1942

Rhubarb: 1 aircraft collided with electricity cables near Hamsey Railway Bridge while low flying and crashed at Lower Malling Farm, South Malling Without. The Spitfire was completely wrecked  and P/O De Hasse was extremely lucky to escape with his life.

16/08/1942

A "Rhubarb" of  4 Spitfires at an altitude of 500ft in the region of Merville saw Picard hitting an High Tension Cable, damaging his wing tip. Ester collided with a watertower and has to force land in enemy territory. Ester successfully evades capture in France and arrives back in the UK in 1943 (See biography of J.Ester)

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).

26/08/1942

Albert Custers left the sqn and joined Training Command as an Instructor.

27/08/1942

Circus 208: Whilst escorting 12 Boston’s to Abbeville/Drucat Airfield, the squadron is attacked by a dozen  Fw-190 (I and II/JG.26). During the melee, the "Duke" proceeded to shoot-down one of his assailants while E. Plas damaged two others. H. Picard and M. Charlier are shot-down ( one of both was shot-down by Major Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland, 5./JG26). Charlier's body was never found. H. Picard, who was wounded, was rescued by the Germans and made a POW after having spent 6 days and nights in his dinghy. (See biography of H. Picard)

31/08/1942

Arrival at the Squadron of A. Claesen from 232 Squadron and R. Herreman from 124 (Baroda) Squadron

02/09/1942

New arrivals to the Squadron of A. Drossaert from 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron, G. de Patoul from 610 (County of Chester) Squadron and L. Collignon from 122 (Bombay) Squadron

04/09/1942

The Squadron welcomes W. de Merode who arrives from 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron.

07-15/09/1942

The Sqn went to Martlesham for a Shooting campaign

21/09/1942

Redhill: Returning from a Scramble the weather  deteriorated and L. Heimes had to bail out after he damaged his undercarriage in an  attempt to land. F. Venesoen crashed his plane into trees on a hill  and was luckily only slightly wounded. 

23/09/1942

A. Vandenhoute, ill, is hospitalised and did not follow the Squadron that has now moved to Southend.

06/10/1942

Van de Poel is transferred from 124 (Baroda) Squadron to 350 Squadron 

07/10/1942

Leigh Mallory awards a DFC to S/L Guillaume

26/10/1942

A Do-217 hit by AA, crashed on the 350 Squadron dispersal, killing W/O Dyon (Technical Officer) and wounding 2 other mechanics.

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)

26/11/1942

L. Heimes is put on rest and leaves the Squadron for RAF Depot N°1. L. Limet leaves the Squadron for the sister Squadron, 349, that will be formed at Ikeja (Nigeria)

28/11/1942

L. Verbeeck arrives at 350.

08/12/1942

The Squadron leaves Southend for Hornchurch.

09/12/1942

Drossaert is transferred to 171 Sqn.

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.

19/12/1942

S/L A. Boussa takes over command of the Squadron. W/Cdr D. Guillaume DFC is designated as Base Commander of Fairlop Airfield

23/12/1942

Five new pilots arrives from OTU: L. Dancot, G. De Jaegher, J. Groensteen, J. Lavigne and J. Wustefeld

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

11/01/1943

P. Arend left the Squadron for a job as test-pilot at the Vickers Armstrong factory.

12/01/1943

A new arrival of pilots from OTU: L. Lelarge, P. Siroux and F. Verpoorten.

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.

01-14/02/1943

Again the Squadron moves to Martlesham for a shooting campaign

01-12/03/1943

Participation of the Squadron in Exercise SPARTAN in cooperation with the Army.

Personal Note of Allan Hillman :
 (This was where the "basics" of living rough and operating from ALG’s was tried out - Dad said he got frost in his hair at night as it was so cold in his tent !!! - he was in the forerunner of 83 Group HQ at the time)

03/03/1943

Transfer from 616 (South Yorkshire)  Squadron of J. de Callatay.

15/03/1943

The Squadron moves to Fairlop. F.Venesoen and E. Plas leaves the Squadron for 610 (County of Chester) Squadron. L. Collignon and R. Alexandre joins 64 Squadron and Dehasse joins 91 (Nigeria)  Squadron.

17/03/1943

M. de Hepcée arrives at 350 Squadron.

21/03/1943

A new arrival: W. Laloux

23/03/1943

The transfer of the Squadron to 13 Group at Acklington for a period of rest sees the arrival of new batch of pilots: M. Grawels and P. Leva

06/04/1943

During a low altitude interception exercise, the C.O., A. Boussa, discovers a lone Do-217 at 50 miles from the coast and shoots it down. This day saw also the arrival of C. Brahy and R. Ernould from OTU.

09/04/1943

Another batch of fresh pilots arrives at Acklington: M. Brosteau, G. Duchesne and J. Gérard.

01/06/1943

The Squadron's arrives at full strength with R. Bladt and A. Van Wersch.

02/06/1943

R. Alexandre returns to 350 after a short period at 64 Squadron.

08/06/1943

Several pilots are transferred to the reactivated 349 (Belgian) Squadron that will be led by S/Ldr Y. Du Monceau de Bergendael: C. Brahy, J. Groensteen, G. Seydel, J. Van Leerberghe, and L. Verbeeck.

09/06/1943

The Squadron moves to Ouston Airfield

01/07/1943

J. de Callatay is transferred to 3 Squadron.

11/07/1943

During the landing approach at Ouston, the planes of M. Grawels and R. Van de Poel collided and crashed at the boundary of the Airfield killing both pilots.

20/07/1943

The Squadron returns to Acklington

29/08/1943

350 moves to Digby

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

04/09/1943

A. Plisnier earns a DFC.

07-13/09/1943

350 is detached to West Malling executing high cover escorts above France

14/09/1943

Return to Digby

01/10/1943

The Squadron is transferred to Hawkinge

09/10/1943

Arrival of R.Vanderveken from OTU

13-30/10/1943

Air to Air Armament Practise camp at Southend.

12/11/1943

RHUBARB OPERATIONS. F/O SIROUX and P/O LAVIGNE. UP 15.30 Hours- DOWN 16.00 Hours.Attack on barges and locks in Belgium was the intension. Operation was abandoned one mile from Knocke owing to unfavowrable weather conditions.

13/11/1943

RHUBARB OPERATIONS.  F/S BOUTE and  SGT DE HEPCEE. UP 11.30 Hours. Intention was to cover LOKEREN, LIERRE, NINOVE area.  Both pilots did not return and both are reported missing.
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.  The Section returned when half-way out, owing to yellow 1 losing his tank.  Today being the Squadron's second anniverssary, a Requiem Mass was celebrated in the morning bij the Squadron  Padre S/L BOONE, and the new Squadron Flag blessed.

14/11/1943

Local Flying Practise.

26/11/1943

R. Duchateau joins the Squadron arriving from 41 Squadron.

20/12/1943

Ramrod 377: L. Harmel crash landed near Abbeville in enemy territory after an engine failure. He successfully evades capture in France and arrives back in the UK in March 1944.

21/12/1943

Ramrod 381: Escort of 18 Mitchell's to Purchevin. A. Herreman of "Yellow" section, shoots down an isolated Fw-190 in the region of Berck-sur-Mer.

28/12/1943

Rhubarb to dive-bomb V-1 sites: G. Dancot crashes after a dogfight with Fw-190's ( victim of Feldwebel Wilhelm Mayer, 7./JG26) and is avenged by P. Siroux who destroyed one of the opponents. S/Ldr A. Boussa sent together with  A. Plisnier on rest, is replaced by S/Ldr L. Prevot DFC

30/12/1943

350 leaves Hawkinge to join 135 Wing at Hornchurch where they exchange their Spitfire MK V for Spitfire MK IX from 222 (Natal) Squadron, who are sent on rest.

24/01/1944

Ramrod: St-Omer and Abbeville, withdrawal cover for Flying Fortresses from Brussels. A. Michiels leaves the Squadron for the Belgian Depot at Goring.

25/01/1944

Ramrod St-Omer, Fighter Sweep Doullens aera. A new batch of pilots arrives from OTU: L. Siroux and J. Morel.

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.

08/02/1944

A shooting campaign at Llanbedr, one Sweep and 4 Rangers are executed during this period.  F/Sgt Harmel 'A' Flight who last December crash-landed in France due engine trouble , escapes and arrives back in England

09/02/1944

G. Deltour is transferred to Training Command as an instructor.

09/03/1944

No operational flying. A move to Peterhead via Hawkinge will see the Squadron joining 14 Group ADGB again. They exchanged their Spitfire Mk IX for Spitfire MK V

24/03/1944

Promoted W/Cdr, Prevot joined the Training Command.

25/03/1944

H. Picard one of the "Great Escape" assassinated by the Gestapo.

29/03/1944

G. Beckers, after having lost control of his plane during a dive-bombing practice, had to bail out. He injured his back whilst landing in a small lake. He will be put to non-flying status for a long period.

16/04/1944

Collignon is designated to follow a PAI course (Pilot Armament Instructor).

24/04/1944

A. Plisnier returning from rest takes over command of "B" flight

25/04/1944

A move to Friston sees 22 Spitfire and 1 Tiger Moth leaving Peterhead.

30/04/1944

Escort mission: On departure, D. Scuvie collided with G. De Jaegher and crashed into the sea and was killed. De Jaegher successfully ditched in the sea off Isle of Wight and was rescued by Air Sea Rescue. Injured in one of his eyes, he was retired from operations for a long period. 

12/05/1944

F. Venesoen returns to 350 Squadron after having augmented his score with 2 confirmed kills at 610 (County of Chester) Squadron. Fighter Sweep to Amiens.

19/05/1944

Collignon returns from the PAI course. Shipping - Recco off Le Havre and Cherbourg.

22/05/1944

J. Rigolle rejoins 350 with "non-flying" status. Roadstead: Le Havre and Cherbourg.

01/06/1944

New arrival of British pilots: F/Lt E. Patterson arriving from 64 Squadron, F/O P. Wilson and Sgt  J. Wooley from OTU. Scramble, Univentful. Dusk patrol, Le Havre and North Forland.

02/06/1944

J. Vanderperren joins 350. Shipping Patrol, Le Havre - Berwick

05/06/1944

Another new batch of pilots: P. Delorme, L. Lambrechts, R. Muls, P. Pacco.

06/06/1944

D-Day : 0440 hrs, take-off for aerial protection of the invasion fleet to the Coast of Normandy. 25 Missions are flown today, with the last plane landing at 2340 hrs. Unfortunately F/L F. Venesoen's plane was hit during the first mission, he baled out and was last seen by his wingman, Lucien Siroux, attempting to inflate his dingy. No trace was found of him making him MIA. L. Collignon returning from PIA course is put on rest.

Fred Langtree wrote in his notes:
The Allied forces have landed in France, between Le Havre and Cherbourg. It's called the NEPTUNE Operation. 350 Squadron are patroling the beaches. The first patrol by 350 was at 04.00 hours. The bombing results on the beaches seems terrific, the big guns of the Navy are pounding heavy shells inland. Masses of Allied troops are landing regulary and hundreds of landing craft, warships and vessels of all kind are sailing of the beaches. Thousend of sorties have been flown by fighters of 2nd Tactical Air Force and ADGB. The German Airforce reaction is very weak. Terrific ack-ack barrage from German flak-ship of Le Havre experianced by 350 Squadron. From the first patrol at 04.00 hours F/Lt Venesoen DFC "A" Flight was hit by a rocket and went into the drink, he was picked up by the Navy in his dinghy but was found to be dead. He was buried at sea (?)

Scramble: 2 aircraft from "B" flight X and T. Univentful Patrol at 21.45 hrs covered the beach-head then to finish with a night offensive.  

07/06/1944

Between 0450 hrs and 2345 hrs, 36 Beachhead cover patrols are flown. Heavy ack-ack fire from the flak-ship of Le Havre. Scramble: Sector Recco. Dusk Patrol over the beach-head, nothing to report, very dark.

08/06/1944

33 Beachhead cover patrols. Returning from a mission to St-Vaast, weather deteriorated resulting in several emergency landing on several airfields and the loss of A. Herreman, who collided with a Marauder in a cloud and crashed to the ground. 

09/06/1944

Due to a storm no activity

10/06/1944

48 missions are flown, with the last ending at 0040 hrs. Another big loss to the squadron occurred with the death of F/L R. Alexandre, CO "A" Flight, who after an engine problem, tried to land on the sea. His plane sank and he drowned, making him MIA. F/O P. Wilson "B" Flight, wingman of F/L E. Patterson, disappeared during an engagement against a couple of Me-109’s . 18.00 hrs : Beach cover. Late show, offensive patrol St-Vaast.

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.

12/06/1944

32 missions are flown. R. Mehuys joins 350 Squadron arriving from OTU.F/O Muls "A" Flight lands on one of the landing strips. 1 Aircraft of "B" Flight dispatched for shipping recco of Le Havre and Berwick. Beach cover and then Dusk cover over the beaches.

13/06/1944

This day saw the squadron executing 19 missions. 

14/06/1944

2 Escort missions of Mitchell’s are flown to Alençon. After mechanical problems, F/O L. Lelarge "A" Flight had to bale out over the channel and was rescued. R. Huens, R. Jaminé and M. Doncq reinforces 350 Squadron. Convoy patrol.

15/06/1944

Beach head cover. Scramble: 4 Aircraft, univentful. Dawn cover over the beaches.A. Claesen finishing his tour of operations is put on rest.

22/06/1944

R. Hoornaert, after a tour as "Test Pilot" joined the Squadron, accompanied by H. Smets returning from a rest. YOKE patrol, Cherbourg heavily bombed. EASY patrol. VICTOR patrol. Dusk patrol Eastern section of the beach head.

02/07/1944

Squadron ready to move to RAF Westhampnett, ground crews service incoming aircraft 610 Squadron Spitfire XIVs until ready to leave.

04/07/1944

William patrol: 4 aircraft. Eastern patrol: 2 aircraft. Western patrol: 4 aircraft. William patrol: 2 aircraft.

07/07/1944

350 Squadron forms part of the escort of 457 Lancaster’s to Caen. Fantastic sight of all, heavis flying over the channel like big fly's with Bostons and Maurauders milling around over the target with Spitfires above them. Bombing from between 4000 and 8000 ft. Plenty of flak.

08/07/1944

No operational flying. During a training flight, the plane of F/Sgt  J. Woolley explodes after an engine fire, killing him.

09/07/1944

Another escort of bombers to Caen. Defensive patrol shipping lanes.

18/07/1944

The last British pilot of 350, F/L E. Patterson leaves the Squadron with a lot of regrets to 229 Squadron. A further bomber escort  sees 12 Spitfires of 350 Squadron above Colombelles.

23/07/1944

F/L P. Siroux and L. Lelarge are transferred to 349 (Belgian) Squadron as Flight Commanders. F/L J. Lavigne takes command of "B" flight.
RAMROD: Escort of 54 Mitchell's to Montford.

31/07/1944

G. de Patoul, G. Beckers and R. Ernould having finished a tour are rested. A group of new pilots coming from OTU have joined 350 Squadron: A. Kicq, H. Boels, E. Pauwels and G. Gigot. Ramrod: Withdrawal cover for 240 Lancasters 70 miles South of Paris. Squadron lands on beach owing to inclement weather.

08/08/1944

A transfer to Hawkinge sees the Squadron converting to  the Spitfire Mk XIV. Ground crew and equipment transported by Dakota aircraft.

10/08/1944

350 Squadron starts its campaign against the V-1.

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. 

20//08/1944

P. Leva destroys a V-1 with his wing-tip.

28/08/1944

350 Squadron is released from the "Anti -Diver" missions. The total Tally being 6 V-1's destroyed. Fighter sweep: St-Quentin area.

03/09/1944

Brussels is liberated.

05/09/1944

A Sweep near the Belgian capital sees the Squadron executing a fly past above the city ending in "Bullshit formation".

11/09/1944

350 Squadron crosses the German border, for the first time, whilst escorting Bombers to the Ruhr.

23-26/09/1944

The Squadron escorts Dakota's during Operation "Market Garden".

29/09/1944

Transfer to Lympne, A. van Eeckhoudt joins the Squadron, L. Siroux is put on rest

23/10/1944

S/Ldr M. Donnet is promoted W/Cdr and leave the Squadron to lead the Hawkinge Wing. L.Collignon is designated to take over command of 350 Squadron.

28/10/1944

Escort of 200 Halifax's to Walcheren.

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.

11/11/1944

J. Morel returning from training mission is killed whilst landing.

28/11/1944

C. Orban de Xivry arrives fresh from OTU.

04/12/1944

The Squadron, now attached to 127 (RCAF) Wing, lands at B.56 Evere - back in Belgium at last.

18/12/1944

R. Hoornaert, having an engine failure, manages to land in friendly lines

24/12/1944

The CO, hit by flak, with great difficultly reaches friendly lines but breaks his leg having bailed out to low. He is evacuated to Great Britain . F/Lt J. Lavigne takes temporary command of the Squadron.

25/12/1944

Jaak Vanderperren hit by flak during an attack against  a convoy is killed.

31/12/1944

G. Seydel leaves for 349 (Belgian) Squadron and the Squadron moves to Y.32 Ophoven airfield joining 125 Wing.

01/01/1945

Operation Bodenplatte - Only 4 Spitfires survived the attack  of  65 enemy fighters of JG.11

04/01/1945

S/Ldr T. Spencer is designated to lead 350 Squadron, coming from 41 Squadron.

13/01/1945

The Squadron again has a full strength of Spitfires

16/01/1945

H. Smets is shot down by flak south of Adenau, making him POW.

23/01/1945

R. Huens is killed when attacking a convoy between St-Vith and Prüm.

R. Francois,  J. Groensteen and C. Brahy joins the Squadron

09/02/1945

W. Laloux, hit by flak, crash landed near Osnabruck and is made POW.

21/02/1945

Executing an Armed Patrol in the region Rheine - Munster - Paderborn, a formation of 9 Spitfires encounter 20 Me-109 which resulted in a heavy combat in which J. Lavigne, A. Van Wersch and "Boam" Lambrechts claims each one destroyed with "Boam" adding a damaged to his Tally, and C. Brahy also damaging a Me-109.

26/02/1945

The CO, S/Ldr T.  Spencer, is shot down near Rhede and made POW.

27/02/1945

S/Ldr Frank Woolley, Flight Co at 130 (Punjab) Squadron takes over command of 350 Squadron

02/03/1945

During a Sweep with 130 (Punjab) Squadron in the region Rheine - Münster, the formation of 15 Spitfires met a formation of a dozen Me-109 with R. Hoornaert, J. Groensteen and "Boam" Lambrechts claiming each one destroyed, E. Pauwels claiming one damaged.  Several pilots ending their operational tour leaves the Squadron: Both Flight Commanders F. Verpoorten and J. Lavigne, two Deputy Flight CO, A. Van Wersch and R. Duchateau. Leaving also: R. Vanderveken, R. Bladt, J. Mehuys, R. Jaminé and L. Verbeeck.

03/03/1945

A complement of four British pilots join the Squadron: F/Lt K. Smith and D. Haworth, who takes command each of a flight, together with P/O D. Watkins and P. Bangerter.

10/03/1945

L. Siroux, J. Van Liefland and S. Neulinger reinforce 350 Squadron.

13/03/1945

The CO, S/Ldr  F. Woolley, claims a Me-109 destroyed  on return from an escort mission near Rheine

17/03/1945

The Squadron moves to Warmwell for an Armament Practice Camp.

18/03/1945

F/O Cresswell-Turner joins the Squadron

21/03/1945

F/Lt Featherstone joins the Squadron.

03/04/1945

The Squadron rejoins 125 Wing at B.78 Eindhoven

04/04/1945

R. Hoornaert, hit by flak near Lingen has to crash land in enemy lines, making him an POW for the rest of War

05/04/1945

During an Armed Recce. in the region Aschendorf - Meppen - Lingen, the Squadron intercepts 5 Fw-190, R. Muls and S. Neulinger sharing the destruction of one Fw-190 but unfortunately F/O Cresswell-Turner is shot down and taken prisoner.

08/04/1945

The Squadron leaves B.78  Eindhoven for  B.106 Twenthe - now operating from an airfield east of the Rhine for the first time.

13/04/1945

G. de Patoul returns to 350 after his period of rest.

15/04/1945

The CO, S/Ldr T. Spencer, liberated by the Americans, rejoins the Squadron. The former CO, S/Ldr F. Woolley, leaving to command 130 (Punjab) Squadron

16/04/1945

Transfer to B.118 Celle,  the Squadron is now operating from an airfield in Germany.

17/04/1945

A. Kicq destroyed a Fw-190 near Hamburg.

18/04/1945

Armed Recce. in the triangle Wirtenberg - Lubeck - Hamburg. a formation  consisting of F/Lt P. Bangerter, P/O D. Watkins, G. Gigot and C .Orban, discovers an airfield and destroyed 4 Ju-188 and damages 1 Fw-190 on the ground.

19/04/1945

Armed Recce. (S/Ldr T. Spencer, F/Lt L. Siroux, H. Boels) at the same airfield  ( 12 miles NE of Lauenburg) results in the destruction of 1 Ju-88, 1 Ju-87 and 1 Fw-190 on the ground. The same day, the CO, S/Ldr T.  Spencer, is shot down by flak whilst performing an attack on a Tanker in Wismar Bay. For his offensive spirit and conspicuous gallantry, he was awarded an immediate DFC.

20/04/1945

A Sweep to Berlin sees the formation of 11 Spitfire's  clash with 12 Fw-190. F/Lt D. Haworth, P/O D. Watkins, M. Doncq, and A. Kicq destroyed each one, with Kicq  damaging another. R. Muls also damaged a Fw-190. W/O  Jacques Groensteen was shot down and MIA. The same day, F/Lt K. Smith is shot down by flak and made POW after crash landing his Spitfire.

24/04/1945

S/Ldr H.  Walmsley, Flight CO of 130 (Punjab) Squadron, takes over the command of 350. In the afternoon, a He-111 is shot down by  P/O D. Watkins and A. Van Eeckhoudt, executing an Armed Recce. in the sector Rostock - Pritzwalk. The same evening a Sweep in the region of Wismar sees the CO destroying a Fw-190, as did his wingman, F/Lt G. de Patoul. A few minutes later G. de Patoul is hit by flak off of Blankensee airfield and has to bail out near Ratzeburg, making him POW and also the last loss of the Squadron on operations. 

25/04/1945

4 Spitfires Mk XIV of the Squadron met a formation of 20 Fw-190. During the melee, 2 Fw-190 are destroyed by E  Pauwels, one by the CO and P. Delorme damaging another one.

26/04/1945

A section intercepts 3 Fw-190. A short dogfight follows in which G. Gigot destroys one opponent. Another enemy pilot loses control of his plane and bailed out, this victory being credited to the CO, P. Leva, M. Doncq and G. Gigot.

27/04/1945

125 Wing (350, 41 and 130 Squadron's) led by G/C "Johnnie" Johnson execute a Sweep to Berlin. A historic mission, because a junction of 2TAF and the Red Army was executed when the Wing met 40 Yak's.

30/04/1945

4 Spitfires Mk XIV patrolling in the region of Wittenbert - Ludwiglust did not hesitate to engage 30 Fw-190, resulting in the score of 2 destroyed for F/Lt P. Bangerter, 2 for P/O D.  Watkins, damaging a third, G. Gigot destroying a fifth one, and these 3 pilots sharing in the destruction of a sixth one. P/O D. Watkins also destroyed a Fw-190 on the ground.

31/04/1945

An engagement against 20 Fw-190 sees H. Boels destroying 2 enemy aircraft with P. Leva and R. Muls destroying each another one.

01/05/1945

We have the big pleasure to see EX  P.O.W  F/Lt  SMITH who managed to escape and come back to us with a German Staff car.  We heard as well that F/O CRESSWELL TURNER is OK in a Hospital.  But what was for us something unsavoury to swallow is the return of the proclaimed killed S/L SPENCER.  We hardly could believe our eyes.  The fact is that his aeroplane exploded at 100 feet and his lucky body was projected outside with his parachute which did its duty perfectly.  At night a light drinking party started in his honour by WING COMMANDER  KEEFER exploded in the most perfect and general drunkeness when it was announced that the General Officer Commanding all the German Forces in our section VON KLUGE has  capitulated to the most Glorious 2nd Army to which we were proud to belong.

02/05/1945

An Armed Recce. to Schleswig-Holstein sees a formation of 6 Spitfires destroying an Arado 234 on the approach of Hohn Airfield. This victory being shared by F/Lt P. Bangerter, P/O D. Watkins, A. Van Eeckhoudt and A. Kicq. This was also the last aerial kill obtained by 350 Squadron.

03/05/1945

Armed Recce.: a convoy of 50 enemy trucks is attacked near Kiel, 29 of them being destroyed.

05/05/1945

A last patrol is executed  by F/Lt Featherstone, P/O D. Watkins and M. Doncq, this formation landing at 08.45 am

06/05/1945

The Squadron is deployed to B.152 Fassberg.

07/05/1945

Field Marshal Jodl signs the Act of Surrender

08/05/1945

VE-Day (VE-Day Victory in Europe Day)