Jan Olieslagers

Jan Olieslagers 1909

Jan Olieslagers (born May 4, 1883 in Antwerp ; † March 23, 1942 ibid) was a Belgian art and fighter pilot, who was also called Diable d'Anvers or the Antwerps (ch) e Duvel (Devil of Antwerp).

Before the First World War , Olieslager rode a motorcycle and set various world records. In 1902 he became world champion on his Minerva , in 1904 he won the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race. He also acted as a pacemaker in standing races , led the American Robert Walthour to the professional world title in 1904 and even competed in bicycle races as an amateur.

In 1909 he and his two brothers bought a Blériot XI , with which he set a total of seven world records.

After the invasion of Germany in August 1914, Olieslagers and his brothers fought against Germany with their three Blériot XI's. At the beginning of the war they were armed with only one pistol. In over 500 missions and over 100 dogfights, he was able to record at least six kills. After the war he helped build the Antwerp airport.

Aerial victories in the First World War

September 12, 1915 an Aviatik C near Oudstuyvekenskerke
June 17, 1916 a Fokker D.II near Pijpegale / Zuidschote
June 14, 1917 an Aviatik C at Schore
June 15, 1917 a Fokker D.II at Keiem
May 3, 1918 a Fokker D.VII at Westende
May 19, 1918 an Albatros DV near Woumen

literature

Arch Whitehouse: Aviator Aces. 1914-1918 . Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1970, pp. 176–177.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Olieslagers, Jan
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Belgian pilot
DATE OF BIRTH	May 4, 1883
PLACE OF BIRTH	Antwerp
DATE OF DEATH	March 23, 1942
Place of death	Antwerp