Although Belgium was neutral as the initial attacks of World War I were launched, she was soon invaded by Germany and partially overrun. The Belgian Air Force had been founded in 1909, and now found itself struggling to survive and expand under these severe conditions. Nevertheless, the tiny Belgian Air Force produced five flying aces, and a sixth one flew for the French Aéronautique Militaire. The leading Belgian ace was also the premier balloon buster of the war.[1]
- Willy Coppens – 37 confirmed aerial victories
- Andre de Meulemeester – 11 confirmed aerial victories
- Edmond Thieffry – 10 confirmed aerial victories
- Fernand Jacquet – 7 confirmed aerial victories
- Adolphe DuBois d'Aische – 6 confirmed aerial victories
- Jan Olieslagers – 6 confirmed aerial victories[2]
See also[]
References[]
- Above Flanders' Fields: A Complete Record of the Belgian Fighter Pilots and Their Units During the Great War, 1914-1918. Walter M. Pieters. Grub Street, 1998. ISBN 1-898697-83-3, ISBN 978-1-898697-83-1.
Endnotes[]
- ↑ Above Flanders' Fields: A Complete Record of the Belgian Fighter Pilots and Their Units During the Great War, 1914-1918.
- ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/belgium/index.php Retrieved on 21 September 2010.
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The original article can be found at List of World War I aces from Belgium and the edit history here.