Marcel Hagico DFC - SAAF B. 1551
 

Hello,

I'm searching the DFC citation of Marcel Hagico 601 Sqn

Kind regards,

Serge

Re: Marcel Hagico DFC - SAAF B. 1551
 

I am amazed! I thought Hagico was a Belgian. I assume he was living in Africa when he enlisted?

regards

Keith

Re: Marcel Hagico DFC - SAAF B. 1551
 

Keith,

He was a Belgan from (Belgian) Congo, attached to SAAF.
I read somewhere he was a naturalized Greek.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Marcel Hagico DFC - SAAF B. 1551
 

Hello All

In 1944 maybe earlier the Belgian Congo Air Force produced pilots who were Belgians living in their colony. Most of them served with the SAAF. They used the same rank system as the SAAF, hence Hagico is a Lt. not a Flying Officer like the Belgian Belgians would have been.

Cheers

Russell

Re: Marcel Hagico DFC - SAAF B. 1551
 

I am unable to find Hagico in the two volumes of DFC citations by the Carters (Savannah Press). He is not in volume 1 in the alphabetic section where he would be as a member of the SAAF. However, awards to non-Commonwealth (USA, and Occupied Europe) personnel were never published in the London Gazette. In these cases the Carters included appendices in the back of volume 2 listing the recipients from each non-Commonwealth country. He is not in the list of Belgian recipients.

It would appear that the claim that he received a DFC is incorrect. He may have received Belgian awards. The list at http://www.aircrewremembered.com/belgiumlosses.html does not show a DFC for him, whereas it does for others. The list does not show any awards for Hagico.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Marcel Hagico DFC - SAAF B. 1551
 

No mention in "Honour the Air Forces" by Michael Maton (Honours and awards to the RAF & Dominion Air Forces during WWII) either, so most probably not awarded a British DFC.

Allan

Re: Marcel Hagico DFC - SAAF B. 1551
 

Hello,

Interesting thread on RAFCommands, here: http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...lub-of-Belgium And the follow up: http://www.bamfbamrs.be/RAF/List/Bel..._1940_1945.pdf

And the following biographical entry for Hagico In Michael Schoeman's, Springbok Fighter Victory SAAF Fighter Operations 1939 - 1945, Volume 1. p.159:

HAGICO, 2/Lt Marcel A. 76813V (Belgian 1551V). Born 15.4.18. Belgian national who joined from Elisabethville in 2nd Belgian Congo Contingent to SAAF 1941. 601 Sqdn RAF...11.12.43 KIA. Moro River Mil. Cem 12-H-16. Belgian (Flemish) "Officieel Bulletin 1944: Oorlogskruis 1940 met palm (na zijn dood). Zeer ijverig en zeer bekwaam jachtpiloot, die de hem toevertrouwde opdrachten met de grootste doelmatigheid uitvoerde."

Vol.4 of above ref:

p.79 - Marcel Hagico, a Belgian flying in the SAAF and on secondment to 601 Sqdn, went missing east of Tollo on the morning of the 11th (December, 1943).

P.78 - Photo, Group shot of 601 Sqdn members.

p.172 - 1st September 1943 - 601 Sqdn RAF; Spitfire Vb - 2/Lt MA Hagico (Belgian/SAAF) slightly injured, Lentini West, 11h50.

p.176 - 11th December 1943 - 601 Sqdn RAF; Spitfire (V, VIII or IX)* - 2/Lt MA Hagico (Belgian/SAAF) KIA E of Tollo at 10h00.

* Possibly, 601 Sqn Spitfire Vb ER674 - Shot down by flak near Tolla (?), 11.12.1943.

Col.