F/Lt Eugène "Strop" Seghers
A Belgian Hero in the Royal Air Force

F/Lt Eugène "Strop" Seghers was a Belgian pilot in the RAF. He escaped to England after the surrender of Belgium in May 1940, and was one of 30 Belgian pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain with 32 squadron. Seghers was shot down by Me109’s on 24th August and baled out into the sea, unhurt. His Hurricane, V6567, crashed at Tedders Leas, near Elham. He moved to 46 squadron on 12th September.

In early April 1941 Seghers was posted to 609 Squadron at Biggin Hill. He destroyed a Me109 on the 11th and was awarded the Croix de Guerre (Belgium)in 1941.

From March to June 1943 Seghers commanded 165 Squadron at Peterhead in Scotland.

Seghers was killed on 26th July 1944 as a Flight Lieutenant attached to 91 Squadron at Deanland. He was attacking a V1 over Uckfield, Sussex but misjudged his distance and struck it, causing it to explode.

The project : building his aircraft and a diorama of his last flight.