Velde, van de, Albert Adolphe Joseph Marie
- Date of birth:
- March 21st, 1915 (Oudenaarde, Belgium)
- Service number:
- 42106 (BAC)/123067 (RAF)
- Nationality:
- Belgian (1830-present, Constitutional Monarchy)
Biography
Belgian promotions:
6-11-1939: Pilot Officer
22-4-1942: Flying Officer
26-3-1943: Flight Lieutenant
26-6-1946: Squadron Leader
26-6-1953: Wing Commander
26-3-1956: Group Captain
RAF promotions:
10-6-1942: Pilot Officer
9-12-1942: Flying Officer
8-6-1943: Acting Flight Lieutenant
22-7-1944: Acting Squadron Leader
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Croix des Evadés
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Able and courageous pilot, young officer with a high level of patriotism; was taken prisoner in 1940, escaped from Belgium and reached Great Britain after having suffered in harsh prisons in France and Spain. Since June 1943 he has proved himself on operations as a Squadron Leader with a highly developed offensive mentality. Even severe injuries did not prevent him from taking part in the fight. By returning to the squadron, he set an example of someone who continuously personifies the strong will to fight. He has taken part in 259 offensive operations totalling 255 flying hours in which he has destroyed 20 vehicles, he has sunk a barge and damaged one Ju 88, 23 vehicles and seven barges. During one of his last attacks, his aircraft was so severely damaged by enemy fire, he was forced to crashland 200 yards from the front line. The squadron under his command destroyed five aircraft, over 300 enemy vehicles and destroyed three other aircraft.
Recommendation for the Bronzen Leeuw:
For courage he displayed with his squadron after having joined Belgian forces in Great Britain and having defied many dangers.
With Palme and Bronze Lion.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
2nd Lieutenant-pilot on active service took part in the campaign of 1940. He escaped from imprisonment and joined the R.A.F. in England after having been imprisoned in France and Spain. He immediately distinguished himself during operations and became Flight Officer in a Belgian Fightersquadron of which he subsequently took command. He has led his squadron on many successful operations, personally destroying a sizable amount of enemy targets and has damaged one enemy aircraft. His briljant conduct under fire has gained him a high British decoration, the DFC.
With Palme.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Chevalier du Ordre de la Couronne de Chêne
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Squadron Leader
- Unit:
- No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron, Royal Air Force
"Over a long period of operational flying this officer has displayed conspicuously fine leadership combined with outstanding gallantry. Squadron Leader Van de Velde has completed numerous hazardous missions including 22 shipping reconnaissances during which he obtained valuable photographs. In February, 1944, Squadron Leader Van de Velde was compelled to crash land his aircraft and in so doing this officer's spine was broken. Undeterred he resumed his flying duties whilst still in plaster. Squadron Leader Van de Velde was appointed to command his present squadron in July, 1944, and has played a prominent part in the outstanding successes achieved by this squadron. In addition to destroying 20 enemy transport vehicles, Squadron Leader Van de Velde has sunk 1 barge and damaged much other transport.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo: From a private collector, known to STIWOT
- - From a private collector, known to STIWOT
Photo
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