Belgian Gloster Gladiators combat

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Yakoyakdiddy
Posts: 1
Joined: 16 Apr 2026, 16:21

Belgian Gloster Gladiators combat

Post by Yakoyakdiddy »

Hello all, first post here.

I have a question for the experts of Belgian Air Force history, particularly the combat usage of the Gloster Gladiator, both in the "Phoney War", as well as very soon after during the invasion of Belgium.

I have read a number of books on the subject, and naturally, there are some contradictions. If anyone has access to official documentation (combat records/squadron records), assuming they still exist, that would be very helpful!
The first question centres on combat on the 20th of April, 1940. A Heinkel He 111 (V4+DA, Werk Nr 2020) of KG.1 eventually crashed after being attacked first by French fighters, and later by Belgian Gladiators when it went into Belgian airspace. Are there any surviving Belgian documents to confirm this officially?

The second question is similar, are there any surviving (Belgian) documents that catalogue the combat history of the Belgian Gladiators during the invasion itself?

Many thanks in advance!

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