Belgian Wings
Belgian Air Force, past and present.
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Fairey Battle I
Single engine two/three-seat bomber and reconnaissance aircraft
In 1937 the Belgian Government ordered 16 Fairey Battle I bombers to replace a number of ageing Fairey Fox biplanes. The first Battle was delivered in November 1937 followed by 5 more aircraft in March 1938, all of which were taken on charge by the 3rd Regiment d'Aéronautique based at Evere airbase near Brussels. The aircraft were used by N°5 Squadron of the 3rd Aé which in the meantime had seen its mission change from reconnaissance to bomber unit. Already during the "Phony War" it became rapidly clear to the British as well as the Belgian military authorities that the Battle was very vulnerable and very rapidly becoming obsolete as the aircraft was very slow, poorly maneuverable and was missing the means to defend itself. Due to this the Belgian authorities didn't place the initially planned order for supplementary aircraft. Instead, the Belgian Government tried too late to obtain Bréguets, Douglas and Caproni bombers. The Belgian Battles became famous for their ill-fated attack on the Albert canal bridges of Veldwezelt, Vroenhoven and Briegden. This suicidal mission did not achieve its aim as not a single bridge was destroyed but 6 out of 9 aircraft were shot down. (D. Brackx)
T-58
C/N
Date In
-
Nov 1937
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-58, 5/III/3Aé, shot down on 11 Mai 1940 at s'Herenelderen
T-59
C/N
Date In
-
Mar 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-59, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, destroyed in attack on Aalter airfield on 19 May 1940
T-60
C/N
Date In
-
Mar 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-60, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, shot down on 11 Mai 1940 at Lebbeke
T-61
C/N
Date In
-
Mar 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-61, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, shot down on 11 May 1940 while attacking the Vroenhoven bridge.
T-62
C/N
Date In
-
Mar 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-62, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, shot down on 11 May 1940 at Koersel (Hasselt)
T-63
C/N
Date In
-
Mar 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-63, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, unserviceable at Evere on May 10th, 1940 and abandoned.
T-64
C/N
Date In
-
Apr 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-64, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, participated in attack on the Vroenhoven bridge on 11 May 1940, abandoned at Aalter airfield
T-65
C/N
Date In
-
Apr 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-65, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, destroyed by German bombs on 10 May 1940 at Belsele.
T-66
C/N
Date In
-
Apr 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-66, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, destroyed by German bombs on 10 May 1940 at Belsele.
T-67
C/N
Date In
-
Apr 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-67, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, destroyed in attack on Aalter airfield on 19 May 1940
T-68
C/N
Date In
-
Apr 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-68, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, made belly landing at Schakkebroek after being hit by German AA fire over Briegden bridge on 11 May 1940.
T-69
C/N
Date In
-
Apr 1938
Date Out
Dec 1939
History
T-69, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, crashed between Aalter and Eeklo on 8 Dec 1939.
T-70
C/N
Date In
-
Jun 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-70, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, shot down on 11 May 1940 at Vlijtingen while attacking Vroenhoven bridge.
T-71
C/N
Date In
-
Jun 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-71, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, unserviceable after being hit in flight, destroyed in attack on Aalter airfield on 18 May 1940
T-72
C/N
Date In
-
Jun 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-72, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, unserviceable at Evere on 10 May 1940 and abandoned
T-73
C/N
Date In
-
Jun 1938
Date Out
May 1940
History
T-73, 5/III/3Aé at Evere, unserviceable, destroyed in attack on Aalter airfield on 18 May 1940