Summary: Film commemorating the service of Belgians in the RAF between 1940 and 1945.
Description: Film is a compilation of ceremonial, stockshot action, training and off-duty scenes. Opening has Belgian First World War standard presented to Belgian members of the RAF. Library sequences suggestive of the Battle of Britain (including Stuka breaking up) recall Belgian pilots' contribution before the creation of the all-Belgian 350 Squadron in 1941. Squadron members sit in mess before scrambling to Spitfires which have been serviced. Growth of Belgian effort in RAF is suggested by arrival of young recruits at country house prior to training; exercises, fencing, rowing, studying, signalling, firing, Link trainer (long sequence) and flying Tiger Moth II. Belgians also train on Empire scheme in Canada, flying Anson over snow and receiving wings from the Belgian ambassador at Medicine Hat. Belgians from Congo train in South Africa on gliders. Air Marshal Leigh-Mallory decorates members of 350 Squadron for their part in the Dieppe Raid (scene mixed with offshore Dieppe footage). Print concludes with praise for individual named members of 609 Squadron, seen with their mascot goat and also taking off in Spitfires, and shots of other Belgian fighter and bomber heroes, including Squadron Leaders D A Guillaume and A L T Boussa.
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Leigh-Mallory, Trafford (person)
Guillaume, D A (person)
Boussa, A L T J (person)
Royal Air Force, Sqdn, 350 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Sqdn, 609 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Belgian personnel (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Avro Anson (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Supermarine Spitfire (object name)
aircraft, British - light military: De Havilland Tiger Moth (object name)
equipment, British air - training: Link trainer (object name)
operations, British air - routine (object name)
society, Belgian air - friendship (object name)
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada (geography)
GB, England (geography)
Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France (geography)
South Africa (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: French
Title language: French
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1479 ft; Running time: 16 mins
