10me Escadrille de Chasse
Encyclopedia
The 5me Escadrille de Chasse was the second fighter squadron of the Belgian Air Component. The squadron was founded during World War I, reorganized into a dedicated fighter unit under its new designation of 10me Escadrille de Chasse in March 1918, and became part of a fighter wing before war's end.
and one WIA
. In March 1918, it would be reorganized into the 10me Escadrille and become part of Belgium's first fighter wing, the Groupe de Chasse
. In this incarnation, the squadron was credited with 11 verified aerial victories out of 22 claims. In turn, it suffered three pilots KIA, two captured, and one WIA.
1 October 1918
2 Ede Woelmont: 1 October 1918 - 5 October 1918
3 L. Robin: 6 October 1918 - 11 November 1918
2 Les Moeres
: Summer 1917 - October 1918
3 Moerkerke
: October 1918 - 11 November 1918
by the Belgians. As a result, the Aviation Militaire Belgium was based in the diminished remnant of a small country, and performed largely in a static defensive mode. Only in March 1918, when the unit reformed as the 9me Escadrille, did it become a dedicated fighter squadron capable of being included in combined Allied operations. Only in September 1918 did the Belgian Army advance.
History
The 10me Escadrille de Chasse was originally the 5me Escadrille de Chasse, which was founded in August 1916 as the second dedicated squadron of the Aviation Militaire Belge. It drew upon the men and equipment of the previously existing provisional Escadrille V. The new unit used a comet as the unit insignia upon its airplanes. The 5me Escadrille de Chasse mobilized in September 1917. It scored its first victory on 17 November 1916. On 15 February 1917, its patrol of seven would be the first Belgian air formation larger than a pair. The 5me would be credited with 15 aerial victories, at a blood cost of two Belgian pilots KIAKilled in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
and one WIA
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
. In March 1918, it would be reorganized into the 10me Escadrille and become part of Belgium's first fighter wing, the Groupe de Chasse
Groupe de Chasse
The Groupe de Chasse was Belgium's first dedicated Fighter Wing. It was created in March 1918 at Les Moëres aerodrome near Veurne. On request of King Albert I, Capitaine Fernand Jacquet was appointed Commanding Officer, and the Groupe de Chasse also became known as the Groupe Jaquet...
. In this incarnation, the squadron was credited with 11 verified aerial victories out of 22 claims. In turn, it suffered three pilots KIA, two captured, and one WIA.
Commanding officers
1 Capitaine Jules Dony: August 1916 - KIAKilled in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
1 October 1918
2 Ede Woelmont: 1 October 1918 - 5 October 1918
3 L. Robin: 6 October 1918 - 11 November 1918
Aerodromes
1 La Panne: September 1916 - Summer 19172 Les Moeres
Les Moëres
De Moeren or Les Moëres are a marshy region in the Westhoek, politically divided between the French-Belgian border. At one time the area was inhabited by the Gallic people known as the Morini; they are believed to have lent their name to the territory.For many centuries, beginning around 800,...
: Summer 1917 - October 1918
3 Moerkerke
Moerkerke
Moerkerke is a town in the Belgian province West Flanders and a part of the city of Damme-External links:*...
: October 1918 - 11 November 1918
Aircraft
- Nieuport 11Nieuport 11|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Angelucci, Enzio, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. New York: The Military Press, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41021-4....
- Nieuport 17Nieuport 17|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
- Nieuport 23
- SPAD VII
- Hanriot HD.1Hanriot HD.1|-References:* Bruce, J.M. The Hanriot HD 1 Leatherhead: Profile Publications* Cheesman E.F. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War Letchworth, Harletford Publications, 1960 pp. 82-83- External links :*...
- SPAD XIII: November 1918
Operations
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 NieuwpoortNieuwpoort, Belgium
Nieuwpoort is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Nieuwpoort proper and the towns of Ramskapelle and Sint-Joris. On January 1, 2008 Nieuwpoort had a total population of 11,062....
by the Belgians. As a result, the Aviation Militaire Belgium was based in the diminished remnant of a small country, and performed largely in a static defensive mode. Only in March 1918, when the unit reformed as the 9me Escadrille, did it become a dedicated fighter squadron capable of being included in combined Allied operations. Only in September 1918 did the Belgian Army advance.