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Didier BeguinFrench pilot, participant in World War II
Date of Birth: 14.12.1918
Country:  France |
Content:
Early Life and Military Career
Didier Béguin was born on April 26, 1937, in France. He joined the French Air Force on August 25, 1937, and became a pilot on June 8, 1939. He was promoted to sergeant on February 4, 1938, and became a professional pilot on June 8, 1939. He was assigned to the reserve officer corps from December 30, 1939, to April 12, 1940.
World War II
Béguin was recalled to active duty in 1940 and assigned to the C.I.R. B.A. 105 in Orléans. He was appointed adjutant on November 1, 1940, and promoted to second lieutenant on April 1, 1941, and to lieutenant on September 24, 1941.
He became one of the first French fighter pilots to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force in July 1940. He was assigned to RAF Squadron 253, which was deployed to the Middle East.
On August 17, 1942, Béguin volunteered to be among the first 14 pilots to fight on the Russian front. He was transferred to G.C. III "Normandie" on August 23, 1942. On September 25, 1943, he was promoted to captain and commanded the 2nd squadron "Havre." He achieved seven aerial victories on the Russian front.
Béguin left "Normandie" on February 16, 1944, and returned to England. He was assigned to Operational Training Unit No. 13 on September 13, 1944, and then transferred to 130 Squadron on August 18, 1944, and to 341 RAF on October 10, 1944.
Death
Béguin commanded the "Strasbourg" squadron. This squadron also included the "Alsace" group. On November 26, 1944, Béguin's plane was shot down by heavy anti-aircraft fire. His plane crashed in flames, and he was killed.
