MS 406 of S/Lt Gilbert
 

Hello,

I'm looking after some information (cause of loss, unit, crashplace..etc) about the French pilot S/Lt Gilbert (POW) shot down on the 13 th of May 1940 above Belgium. Serial of MS 406: 628.
Thanks

Alexander

Re: MS 406 of S/Lt Gilbert
 

Alexander

According to LE MS406, LELA Presse, Gilbert was in the MS406 n°628 from GC II/6. Shot down by 109. Any details of the crashplace but Gilbert bale out in the GErman lines where he has been POW

Bertrand

Re: MS 406 of S/Lt Gilbert
 

Hi,

this action took place in the area of Namur. He probably fell victim to the stI/JG3 at approx. 10.30 hours.

Regards

Robert

Re: MS 406 of S/Lt Gilbert
 

Hi
Namur Area, one Do 17 was attacked without effect by french from II/6, diverses He111 was attacked too, one Ms406 has problem :S/Lt Joseph Riss).
During the return to the base, one first battle with German's 109, quickly stopped by a new group formed by 9 germans Jägers :I./JG3 & I./JG77.
It's impossible for the frenchs, some planes can found security in clouds, 3 was shooting down, only the S-LT Francis Gilbert was Pow ...
(The Ms 406 was now loss on Dinant area, Lt Helmur Rau from Stab I./JG3 claim one 406 during one battle with 7/8 MS, and Sergent Karl-Heinz Wilhem 3./JG77 claim two 406 on Dinant )

Bad translate by me from very excellent source :
Les victoires de l'aviation de chasse française 10.05.40 to 15.05.40
by Arnaud Gillet ISBN 2-9514552-3-2
Best regards, Dan

Re: MS 406 of S/Lt Gilbert
 

Gents,

Many thanks for this information.

Greetings from Belgium.
Alexander

Re: MS 406 of S/Lt Gilbert
 

Gilbert died in 1942 in an accident. His sister who died last year, told me that the 13 may 1940, he was very badly hit in the right foot. He choosed to crash land his cripled Morane near a farm. He succeded to walk to the farm where he found no one. He did not try to remove his flyong boot and fled away on a bike. A few minutes later he rememberd to have left its cards in the Morane so he turned back. When he came back, he was captured. The german surgeon was first willing to cut his foot...but was very skillfull as he succeded to save his foot. He was send back to France three month later as great wounded (unable to fight again).
Please forgive my very basic english.