The 1re Escadrille de Chasse was the first fighter squadron of the Belgian Air Component. The squadron was founded during World War I, reorganized into a dedicated fighter unit, and became part of a fighter wing before war's end.
The 1re Escadrille de Chasse was founded in February 1916 as the first dedicated squadron of the Aviation Militaire Belge. It drew upon the men and equipment of the previously existing provisional Escadrille I. In August 1917, upon receiving the new Hanriot-Dupont 1 aircraft, the first version of the famous “Thistle” symbol was designed by André de Meulemeester as the squadron's insignia, to be painted on the aircraft. He also selected the squadron motto “Nemo me impune lacessit” or “No-one can challenge me unpunished”. In March 1918, it would be reorganized into the 9ème Escadrille.[1]
At the start of World War I, Belgium was neutral. An overwhelming invasion by the German army left Belgium partially occupied by the end of 1914, with its preserved territory shielded by deliberate defensive flooding at Nieuwpoort by the Belgians. As a result, the Aviation Militaire Belge was based in the diminished remnant of a small country, and performed largely in a static defensive mode.[5] Captain Fernand Jacquet and Lieutenant Louis Robin scored the squadron's first victory on 20 May 1916. It would claim 52 aerial victories and be credited with 15, at a blood cost of five Belgian pilots killed in action and one accidental death.[1]
Present dayedit
After World War II, the modern Belgian Air Force was founded in 1946. The "Thistle" was accorded to 351 Squadron of 161st Wing at Florennes air base. On 10 January 1948 this unit became 1st Squadron of 2nd Wing. From that day to the present, the squadron shares the identity and the traditions of the 1ère Escadrille de Chasse of 1917 . In July 1971, 1 Squadron leaves Florennes for Bierset, to constitute 3rd Wing together with 8 Squadron.[6] Designated to transform to the F-16, the unit swaps bases with 42 Squadron of Florennes in 1989.[7]
Champagne, Jacques P. & Detournay, Gaston L. Blasons Familiers d'une Chevalerie Nouvelle. Editions CARACTERE - Arlon
Mangin, Jean A. & Champagne, Jacques P & Van Den Rul, Marcel A. Sous nos ailes. G. Everling - Arlon (1977)
Pieters, Walter M. Above Flanders' Fields: A Complete Record of the Belgian Fighter Pilots and Their Units During the Great War, 1914-1918. Grub Street, 1998. ISBN1-898697-83-3, ISBN978-1-898697-83-1
Air Action 19. Guhl & Associés, 1990. ISSN 0992-065X.
squadron, belgium, squadron, french, escadrille, recce, squadron, component, belgian, armed, forces, based, florennes, base, part, tactical, wing, operates, general, dynamics, block, fighting, falcon, squadronactive16, april, 1913countrybelgiumbranchair, compo. The 1st Squadron French 1re escadrille is a Recce squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces Based at Florennes air base it is part of the 2nd Tactical Wing and operates the General Dynamics F 16 Block 20 MLU Fighting Falcon 1st SquadronActive16 April 1913CountryBelgiumBranchAir ComponentPart of2nd Tactical WingMotto s Nemo me impune lacessit No one provokes me with impunity Latin CommandersCommanderMajor M ArtigesAircraft flownFighterF 16 Fighting Falcon The 1re Escadrille de Chasse was the first fighter squadron of the Belgian Air Component The squadron was founded during World War I reorganized into a dedicated fighter unit and became part of a fighter wing before war s end Contents 1 History 1 1 The origins 1 2 Aerodromes Airbases 1 3 Notable personnel 1 4 Aircraft used 1 5 Operations 2 Present day 2 1 Aircraft used 3 References 4 EndnotesHistory editThe origins edit The 1re Escadrille de Chasse was founded in February 1916 as the first dedicated squadron of the Aviation Militaire Belge It drew upon the men and equipment of the previously existing provisional Escadrille I In August 1917 upon receiving the new Hanriot Dupont 1 aircraft the first version of the famous Thistle symbol was designed by Andre de Meulemeester as the squadron s insignia to be painted on the aircraft He also selected the squadron motto Nemo me impune lacessit or No one can challenge me unpunished In March 1918 it would be reorganized into the 9eme Escadrille 1 Aerodromes Airbases edit Coxyde February 1916 June 1916 Les Moeres June 1916 March 1918 2 3 Florennes 1947 1971 Bierset 1971 1989 Florennes 1989 Present Notable personnel edit nbsp Sopwith Camel in the markings of 1st Squadron Andre de Meulemeester Fernand Jacquet Jan Olieslagers Willy Coppens 2 3 Aircraft used edit Nieuport 10 Nieuport Scout Nieuport 16 Nieuport 17 Hanriot HD 1 Sopwith Camel 2 3 Spitfire Mk XIV F 84 E G F Mirage 5BA 4 F 16 Operations edit At the start of World War I Belgium was neutral An overwhelming invasion by the German army left Belgium partially occupied by the end of 1914 with its preserved territory shielded by deliberate defensive flooding at Nieuwpoort by the Belgians As a result the Aviation Militaire Belge was based in the diminished remnant of a small country and performed largely in a static defensive mode 5 Captain Fernand Jacquet and Lieutenant Louis Robin scored the squadron s first victory on 20 May 1916 It would claim 52 aerial victories and be credited with 15 at a blood cost of five Belgian pilots killed in action and one accidental death 1 Present day editAfter World War II the modern Belgian Air Force was founded in 1946 The Thistle was accorded to 351 Squadron of 161st Wing at Florennes air base On 10 January 1948 this unit became 1st Squadron of 2nd Wing From that day to the present the squadron shares the identity and the traditions of the 1ere Escadrille de Chasse of 1917 In July 1971 1 Squadron leaves Florennes for Bierset to constitute 3rd Wing together with 8 Squadron 6 Designated to transform to the F 16 the unit swaps bases with 42 Squadron of Florennes in 1989 7 Aircraft used edit Spitfire XIV F 16 Fighting Falcon 8 References editChampagne Jacques P amp Detournay Gaston L Blasons Familiers d une Chevalerie Nouvelle Editions CARACTERE Arlon Mangin Jean A amp Champagne Jacques P amp Van Den Rul Marcel A Sous nos ailes G Everling Arlon 1977 Pieters Walter M Above Flanders Fields A Complete Record of the Belgian Fighter Pilots and Their Units During the Great War 1914 1918 Grub Street 1998 ISBN 1 898697 83 3 ISBN 978 1 898697 83 1 Air Action 19 Guhl amp Associes 1990 ISSN 0992 065X Endnotes edit a b Pieters p 14 23 24 a b c 1ere Escadrille de Chasse www theaerodrome com Retrieved 30 August 2010 a b c Pieters pp 23 24 Sous nos Ailes p 99 Pieters pp 9 10 15 17 Sous nos Ailes p 98 Air Action p 11 Blasons Familiers p 35 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1st Squadron Belgium amp oldid 1221082123, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
