[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo,
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I agree with Peter Cornwell about the fate of DC-3 'OO-AUI'.
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Sabena in 1940 had only two DC-3s and no DC-2s. The massive Air-Britain DC-1/-2/-3 publication confirms this and also seems to account satisfactorily for all of the Dutch DC-2/DC-3s. So apart from photographic evidence a process of elimination leaves OO-AUI as the only possible aircraft to match these photos.
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The 24 Squadron Operational Record Book has nothing on the events of 23 May 1940 unforunately due to a gap in its records.
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I had forgotten about the 'AIR ENTHUSIAST', No. 13 article quoted by Col Bruggy. Some extra details and corrections were given in follow-up letters in issues 14 and 15. These and Pieter's summary lead me to put forward the following for discussion. It seems probable to me the aircraft that crashed on 23 May 1940 (losing a wing and leaving two pilots dead and two crewmen badly injured) was not DC-3 'OO-AUI' but rather the SIAI Marchetti S.73 'OO-AGS'. It is generally reported that it was shot down by enemy aircraft soon after take-off from Merville.
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Combining information from 'AIR ENTHUSIAST' nos. 13 and 15 the crew of S.73 'OO-AGS' were almost certainly;
Raymond Chartier (pilot), killed
Victor Moreau (pilot), killed
Armand Peeters (radio officer), badly injured
..........Leysen (flight mechanic), badly injured.
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What may help - if anyone has access to it - is the ORB for 271 Squadron RAF, another transport unit. Four of the S.73s, including OO-AGS, were assigned to 271 Squadron, while two more S.73s and the two DC-3s went to 24 Squadron.
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It would be of interest too to learn exactly where the two Belgian pilots are buried (Arques, Merville or elsewhere). Plus their correct titles in the airline.
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Hope this helps and looking forward to further discussion on the subject.
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Martin Gleeson.