Raymond Lallemant

Colonel Raymond A. "Cheval" Lallemant, DFC & Bar (23 August 1919 – 30 January 2008) was a Belgian military pilot and flying ace who served in the British Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with destroying six aircraft, making him one of the highest scoring Belgian aces of the conflict. Lallemant, who was nicknamed "Cheval" ("horse" in French), flew Hawker Typhoons in No. 609 Squadron in a ground attack role. Promoted to squadron leader and commanding officer of No. 609 Squadron in late 1944, Lallemand was shot down over the Netherlands in September 1944 but survived despite his injuries. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Bar.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI TB900/GE-D "Winston Churchill", Lallemant's personal aircraft during his time as No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron's commanding officer.

Raymond Lallemant
Lallemant pictured with a horse in front of his Typhoon fighter-bomber in July 1944
Nickname(s)	"Cheval"
Born	(1919-08-23)23 August 1919
Died	30 January 2008(2008-01-30) (aged 88)
Allegiance	Belgium United Kingdom
Service/branch	Belgian Army (1939–40) Royal Air Force (1940–46) Belgian Air Force (1946–72)
Years of service	1939–1972
Rank	Colonel
Commands held	161st Wing No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron No. 609 Squadron
Battles/wars	Second World War
Awards	Commander of the Order of the Crown Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar (United Kingdom) Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) Croix de Guerre (France)

In March 1945, "Cheval" Lallemant became the commanding officer of No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron, where he flew the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI. The well known Spitfire "Winston Churchill", squadron indicator GE-D, was his personal aircraft until he left No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron in December 1945.