Date of birth:

August 12th, 1907 (Chatelineau/Henegouwen, Belgium)

Date of death:

October 26th, 1978 (Brussels, Belgium)

Service number:

81633

Nationality:

Belgian (1830-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

Giovanni Dieu was born in Chatelinieu on August 12th, 1907. He received his wings on May 31st, 1928 with the rank of Corporal. After his training he flew with 1ere Regiment d'Aéronautique Militaire and later became Adjudant with the 3eme d'Regiment Aéronautique Militaire.

When war broke out he served with the Belgian Flying School and the rank of Lieutenant. When Belgium capituleated, Dieu escaped to England and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves on July 1st, 1940. He took part in the Battle of Britain with No. 236 Squadron and was later transferred to No. 609 Squadron. After seving with No. 245 Squadron he was appointed to the Belgian Flying School and later served with the Belgian Section of RAF at Eaton Square. He reached the rank of Squadron leader and was formally discharged from RAF duty on October 1st, 1946.

After the Second World War he entered service with the Belgian Air Force and retired in August 1954. Giovanni Dieu passed away on October 26th, 1978.

Promotions:
April 1st, 1945: Squadron Leader.

Career:
?: 1ere Regiment d'Aéronautique Militaire;
?: Adjudant 3eme Regiment d'Aéronautique Militaire;
?: Flying Schooll;
July 1st, 1940: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve;
1940: No. 236 Squadron;
August 1941 - augustus 1942: No. 609 Squadron;
1942: No. 245 Squadron;
?: Belgian Flying School;
?: Belgian Section of RAF, Eaton Square;
January 1948: Kommandant Jachtvliegschool/Ecole de Chasse, Koksijde;
August 1954: retirement.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 11th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

Flying Instructor

Awarded on:

November 13th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer is a flying instructor, who has served with No 9 and 12 Groups for the past 13 months. He has been at three OTU's carrying out gunnery training. Squadron Leader Dieu is an exceptional instructor who carries out his duties with great energy and, as a result, training at the OTU's has been benefitted considerably."

Dec AeM No 107 / 28.11.45.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1957

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1957

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1957

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1957

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 28th, 1960

• Photo 1: Tom MacNeil
• - Belgian Wings