9 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)
| 9 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1 March 1918 |
| Country |
 Belgium
|
| Branch | Air Component |
| Role | Instruction |
| Garrison/HQ | Beauvechain Air Base |
| Motto(s) | Boutez en avant (Get In) |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
A silver “Cocotte” on green background |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | SF260 |
9 Squadron is a training squadron of the Belgian Air Component, constituting the Basic Flying Training School together with 5 Squadron.
The 9ème Escadrille de Chasse was originally the 1ère Escadrille de Chasse, which was founded in February 1916 as the first dedicated fighter squadron of the Aviation Militaire Belge.
On 1 March 1918, while stationed at Les Moëres aerodrome near Veurne, it would be reorganized into the 9ème Escadrille and become part of Belgium's first fighter wing, the Groupe de Chasse. The squadron continued to use the equipment and personnel of the 1ère Escadrille. 9ème Escadrille also inherited the "Thistle" symbol and motto “Nemo me impune lacessit” or “No-one can challenge me unpunished”. The squadron's fleet consisted largely of Hanriot-Dupont 1s, supplemented by a some Sopwith Camels.
The 10ème Escadrille and 11ème Escadrille were the other squadrons of the Group, also known as the Groupe Jaquet, after its commanding officer, Capitaine Fernand Jacquet. Headed by Capitaine Walter Gallez, 9 Squadron counted a number of famous fighter pilots amongst its ranks: Willy Coppens (who was also the first Belgian pilot to use the “Cocotte” on his aircraft), Jan Olieslagers,André de Meulemeester.
During the initial years of World War I, the Aviation Militaire Belge was based in the diminished remnant of a small country, and performed largely in support of a defensive army. Only in September 1918 did the Belgian Army advance. To support the offensive, 9ème Escadrille moved to Moerkerke near the Dutch border in October 1918. At the end of the war, 9ème Escadrille was credited with 51 verified aerial victories, 41 of which were enemy observation balloons. In turn, it suffered three pilots wounded in action or captured.
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