On May 14th, 1940, two Morane Saulnier MS.406 of the Groupe de Chasse II/6 took off from Maubeuge to protect the airfield. Around 10:25 local time, a fight occurred between the MS.406 patrol and Bf109s. The aircraft of Capitaine Gilbert (N°86) crashed near the Bel Air farm at Vellereille-Les-Brayeux in Belgium. The French, aviator, “Mort pour la France”, was first buried at the Bonne Esperance Abbey and later transferred to France.

In September 2010, Nicolas Clinaz succeeded in location and recovering some parts of the MS-406. The engine is now preserved at the Bel-Air farm just near the crash location.

On Sunday May 15th, 2011 the local authorities, the owner of the farm and Nicolas unveiled a monument in memory of Capt Gilbert while the last flying MS.406 in the world made a fly by over the location.

Nicolas Clinaz

Researcher Nicolas Clinaz during his speech.

MS406 engine on display

The MS.406 engine on display

Commemorative plate

The commemorative plate in honour of Capt Gilbert

The last Morane Saulnier MS.406 fighter in flying condition in the world makes a fly by over Vellereille-Les-Brayeux