Airborne Artist
The adventures of the majority of existing Sabena Captains when I joined them in 1952 could fill a book. Most of them had become Spitfire Pilots but one of the Directors had been on Lancasters. There were many D.F.C.'s amongst them. Two of them, one a mere Sgt. and the other a Group Captain had stolen an old biplane, I do not know the make, and had successfully out manoeuvred a ME109 and reached England safely. The hardships endured by some in the long and dangerous escapes to England in tiny boats were almost beyond description. Their contribution to the R.A.F. was tremendous and and their reaction to the welcome that we gave them was shown in their treatment of the 30 British pilots that were taken on by Sabena in 1952 of which, nearly all, finished long and happy careers in Belgium. I never stopped admiring their courage. Reg.