Jean Offenberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Offenberg
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| Nickname(s) | Pyker |
| Born | 3 July 1916 Laeken, Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | 22 January 1942 (aged 24) Near Digby, England |
| Allegiance | Belgium United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Aéronautique Militaire Belge Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Unit | 4 Squadron (AéMI) No. 145 Squadron (RAF) No. 609 Squadron (RAF) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Belgian Croix de guerre |
Jean Henri Marie Offenberg (born 3 July 1916 – died 22 January 1942) was a brave Belgian flying ace during the Second World War. He became a pilot for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and was known for shooting down at least five enemy planes.
Jean Offenberg started his military career as a fighter pilot in the Belgian Army Air Force. When Germany invaded Belgium in 1940, he shot down a German bomber. After Belgium was taken over, he escaped to France. He tried to help defend France, but soon made his way to North Africa. From there, he traveled with other Belgian pilots to join the RAF in Britain. He flew with No. 145 Squadron and achieved many victories in 1940 and 1941. Later, he moved to No. 609 Squadron and flew many missions over Europe. Sadly, he died in a flying accident in 1942.
Becoming a Pilot
Jean Henri Marie Offenberg was born on 3 July 1916 in Laeken, a town near Brussels, Belgium. He joined the Belgian Army Air Force, called the Aéronautique Militaire Belge (AéMI). There, he trained to become a fighter pilot.
After his training, he joined 4 Squadron. This squadron was based at Nivelles and first flew Fairey Firefly IIM biplane fighters. In early 1940, his squadron received newer Italian biplane fighters, the Fiat CR.42 Falco.
Fighting in World War II
On 10 May 1940, German forces began their invasion of Belgium. Jean Offenberg immediately joined the air battles. On that first day, he shot down one German Dornier Do 17 bomber and damaged another near St Trond.
After Belgium was defeated, Offenberg and other pilots flew their planes to France. They helped defend the airfield at Chartres. On 20 June, he and another pilot, Alexis Jollard, flew two French planes to Corsica. From there, they went to Algeria. They hoped to find a Belgian flying school, but morale was low.
They decided to try to reach the British. They traveled to Casablanca and met other Belgian and Polish pilots. They all managed to get on a cargo ship to Gibraltar. From Gibraltar, they found another ship to Britain, arriving on 16 July.
The Battle of Britain
Jean Offenberg quickly joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) and became a pilot officer. He was soon nicknamed "Pyker." On 30 July, he went to a training unit at Sutton Bridge. Three weeks later, he joined No. 145 Squadron.
His squadron flew Hawker Hurricane fighters. They were based at Westhampnett and were very busy fighting in the Battle of Britain. A few days later, the squadron moved north to Drem for a rest. On 8 September, Offenberg and another pilot damaged a German Do 17 bomber near Montrose.
In October, No. 145 Squadron returned to southern England. The air battles were less intense by then. On 27 October, Offenberg fought a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter and likely destroyed it. On 1 November, he shot down another Bf 109. On 6 November, he helped another pilot destroy a third Bf 109. Three days later, he and another pilot damaged a Junkers Ju 88 bomber. Even though the bomber made it back to its airfield, it crashed when landing.
As winter arrived, bad weather slowed down air operations. But on 11 December, Offenberg was credited with helping to destroy a Heinkel He 111 bomber.
Missions Over Europe
In January 1941, Offenberg's squadron received new Supermarine Spitfire Mk II fighters. They began flying offensive missions over continental Europe. Their first mission, called a 'Circus', was on 5 March. They protected Bristol Blenheim bombers attacking Boulogne.
On 5 May, Offenberg destroyed a Heinkel He 60 reconnaissance seaplane and damaged another. Then, he shot down a Bf 109 into the English Channel. This was his last victory with No. 145 Squadron. The next month, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the first Belgian pilot in the RAF to get this award.
On 17 June, Offenberg moved to No. 609 Squadron. This unit was based at Biggin Hill and flew Spitfire Mk Vb fighters. They were very active in the 'Circus' missions. A part of the squadron was made up of Belgian pilots, and Offenberg became their leader.
On 22 June, he damaged a Bf 109 during a 'Circus' mission. His squadron was protecting bombers attacking railway yards at Hazebrouck.
On 7 July, Offenberg destroyed a Bf 109 without firing his guns! He chased a German fighter in a steep dive. While Offenberg pulled out, the German plane kept going and crashed into the sea. He also likely destroyed four more Bf 109s on 19 July, 6 August, 27 August, and 29 August. Soon after his first claim, he received the Belgian Croix de guerre medal. He damaged two more Bf 109s in September and October.
In November, No. 609 Squadron moved to Digby for intense training. On 22 January 1942, Offenberg, now a flight lieutenant, was teaching a new pilot. Another pilot from No. 92 Squadron tried to pretend to attack Offenberg's Spitfire. But he misjudged the distance and crashed into the back of Offenberg's plane. Both planes crashed, and both pilots were killed.
Jean Offenberg was buried at a church cemetery in Scopwick. After the war, his remains were moved to the Belgian Airmen's Field of Honour in Brussels Town Cemetery.
Jean Offenberg is credited with destroying five German aircraft and helping to destroy two more. He also likely destroyed five German aircraft and damaged five others, sharing in two more damaged. His personal diaries were used to create the book Lonely Warrior, published in 1956.
