Bechoux G.: Belgian in Bomber Command

[Ricky50]

Georges Bechoux served as tail gunner in a Lancaster in RAF/Bomber Command after July 42 until the end of the war. I believe his rank was P/O, he returned to Belgium in '46 (to Seraing, where he opened the pub "Au Lancaster"). He died in 1966 in Luik.
Unfortunately, I cannot find anything about his RAF service.
Has anyone info on his Group, Squadron, missions performed, airbase, ...
Lots of thanks
Rik

[Alain57]

Hi ,

I will see what i can find on this man next monday morning.

Greetings

[Leendert]

Rik, Alain,

I am curious as well... So far he's only mentioned as having escaped with two others from the Citadelle de Liège when they were awaiting execution by the Germans for resistance activities. This was on 20 January 1942, and he arrived in England on 13 April 1942.
One site says he was a "Capitaine" in the RAF and did several missions over Germany, but gives no further details.

Regards,

Leendert

[Alain57]

Yhanks Leendert

Alain

[Ricky50]

Leendert,
I have everything in all details about Georges' activities and escape from prison; I recently met a niece of him who gave me all this info.
Unfortunately, nothing is known about his service tour with Bomber Command. I was told he refused to talk about that after the war. His niece told me he would have completed his tour (which theoreticaly means 35 missions) and that he would have signed up again for a second tour!!! Anyhow,he served in the RAF from the 2nd half 1942 till the end of the hostilities.
But that's realy all she knows about him. And, oh yes, his niece also told me her uncle George went strongly addicted to alcohol after the war!...
By the way Leendert, which website mentions him as a Captain? I couldn't find any till now unfortunately.
Thanks, see you.
Rik

[Alain57]

Rik ,

I found this :
Bechoux Georges 1069803

Alain57

[Leendert]

Rik,

Short reference to "capitaine" here: http://users.skynet.be/jacques.dujardin/m1.html

See end of story.

Regards,

Leendert

[Wim]

Hello Rik,

Georges was born in Bois et Borsu on 8th December 1909. He served for a short time with the 12e Regiment de Ligne Prince Leopold, in the thirthy's he was on the Army reserve list. Apart from that, his trade was electrician, was married and had one son.

He was demobilised on 29th May and became later a leading member of the Belgium Resistance in the region around Liege.
He was betrayed and captured in July 1942 - condemned to death. Along with Georges Gadisseur and Robert Gendarme, Bechoux escaped from the Citadel. It was the only succesful escape during the war and all three found a safe hiding place and later they escaped via France and Spain to arrive in England in July 1942.

Georges Bechoux along with Gadisseur joined the RAF in September 1942 and was trained as an Air Gunner. He was recommended and granted for a commission. He was posted to 30 OTU with the rank of P/O and joined the crew of pilot Louis Joseph Camille Remy - another Belgian who previously had managed to escape from Coldtiz.
The crew was posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds in July 1944. Bechoux completed a Tour between August 1944 and January 1945 with the Squadron.

Hope these details are sufficient enough to conduct your further research.
Or otherwise send me a PM.
All the best,

Wim