Moments of Triumph DUTCH AIRCREW
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Moments of Triumph DUTCH AIRCREW Although few in numbers, a handful of Netherlanders injured or killed. Realising the who made their way to Britain a7 er escaping the Nazis odds were against them, the flying schools at Haamstede made a signifi cant mark in the air during World War and Vlissingen (both southwest Two. Graham Pitchfork recounts some of their stories of Rotterdam) fled for England with their remaining machines he roll of honour for 42 strength – of which just 72 could be on May 15. Following soon after, TDutch airmen awarded considered modern. the nine Fokker T.VIII floatplanes the Distinguished Flying Although outnumbered, those of the Marineluchtvaartdienst Cross (DFC) in recognition of their aircraft and crews that survived (Netherlands Naval Aviation gallantry is impressive – two of the first onslaught fought valiantly Service), which had been used to them received it twice. While seven against the overwhelmingly patrol Dutch territorial waters, were given the Distinguished superior Luftwaffe (see Brief were soon dispersed to France. Flying Medal (DFM), many more Candles in the March issue). With the situation in mainland were the recipients of Dutch and By the fifth day of skirmishes, Europe rapidly British non-operational honours however, few Dutch worsening, the such as the Order of the British combat types floatplanes Empire (OBE). remained airworthy, Many of these eminent airmen while many fliers had been had escaped to Britain early in the war, when the gaze of the Nazis had turned to the Netherlands. On May 10, 1940, the bombers of the Luftwaffe’s Luftflotte 2 began their systematic destruction of Dutch airfields and they had one objective: obliterate the country’s military aircraft before they could strike back. At the time, the Netherlands’ Luchtvaartbrigade (Army Aviation Brigade) had 132 aircraft on 24 FlyPast May 2020 escaped across the English Channel January 18, 1941 under Lt Cdr W van In mid-March 1943, the squadron !"#$ "!&' A Fokker on May 25 where they formed Lier. While Dutch aircraft carried transferred to Bomber Command’s T-VIIIW fl oatplane 320 (Netherlands) Squadron as RAF markings and serial numbers, 2 Group and moved to RAF of 320 Squadron during a patrol from part of RAF Coastal Command. they were also adorned with their Methwold, Norfolk where it RAF Pembroke Dock. Based initially at Pembroke Dock home nation’s black-edged orange converted to the North American Lt Heye Schaper in southwest Wales, it was joined triangle insignia. B-25 Mitchell Mk.II. Almost utilised this type by the newly formed 321 (Dutch) immediately the unit was assigned during his mission Squadron under the leadership of Hunters to Bombers to the Second Tactical Air Force. behind enemy lines in October 1940. Lt Cdr H Kolf in June 1940. With Settling into life at Leuchars, 320 During the build-up to D-Day (June KEY COLLECTION both units utilising the Avro Anson Squadron would be tasked with 6, 1944) 320 was instrumental in Mk.I in the coastal patrol and conducting anti-shipping patrols attacking railways, supply depots, anti-submarine role, they were and reconnaissance between construction works, V-1 flying soon guarding the Irish Sea and Scotland and the Norwegian bomb launch sites, airfields, gun southwestern approaches. Several coastline. With their conversion emplacements and bridges. aircraft and crews were lost during complete, the unit flew its first The unit moved to the continent these missions. That October, 320 Hudson operation on February 19, – to Melsbroek, northeast of the moved to RAF Leuchars in Fife, 1941. In April the following year Belgian capital Brussels initially Scotland and began to re-equip the squadron moved to – in October 1944 and continued with the much more capable RAF Bircham Newton in operating in the light bomber role Lockheed Hudson Mk.III. Due Norfolk to patrol the until Victory in Europe Day on to insufficient numbers of Dutch coast – but the May 8, 1945. Its final mission of personnel, 321 Squadron cost was high in both the war was flown from Achmer merged with 320 on lives and aircraft. airfield in western Germany with May 2020 FlyPast 25 Moments of Triumph DUTCH AIRCREW 11 Mitchells striking the railway marshalling yards at Itzehoe, just over 125 miles (201km) to the northeast, on May 2. Remaining at Achmer, 320 Squadron was disbanded in August 1945. During its time operating the Mitchell, the unit flew 2,433 sorties and dropped more than 9,000,000lb (4,082 tonnes) of bombs. May 1940. Having joined the Rocket Chasers Marineluchtvaartdienst in 1926, he !"#$ Jacob t’Hart Established at RAF Woodvale was considered an ‘old hand’. receives his DFC in Merseyside on June 12, 1943, In October he was briefed for from AVM Donald 322 Squadron was a Dutch- a “special mission of the very ‘Pathfi nder’ Bennett at RAF Upwood, manned Spitfire Mk.V unit with greatest importance behind Cambridgeshire, in Fighter Command. Formed as an enemy lines”, which involved June 1944. ROB VIS amalgamation of Dutch personnel retrieving various key resistance members – including a friend and colleague – Lt Lodo van Hamel. Parachuted into the Netherlands in late August, Hamel had established “He attacked so low several resistance groups. With his mission complete, the plan called that he returned for a Fokker T.VIII to land on Lake home with part Tsjûkemar – the largest inland waterway in the Dutch province of of the front door Friesland – and pick up the group. Selecting another pilot, S Lt wedged in his Willem Ritte, and gunner/radio radiator” operator Cpl Klasinus van Tongeren to accompany him, Schaper’s first ,-./0 Plt Off Jacob from other squadrons, it began t’Hart (far left) flying operationally immediately. watches his crew Settling into a life of near constant climb aboard their 103 Squadron Avro scrambles and local patrols, in Lancaster for a raid January 1944 the unit was soon from RAF Elsham often tasked with bomber escort. Wolds. ROB VIS In June it started an intensive period of ‘anti-diver’ sorties against !"#$ A 322 Squadron Spitfi re V-1s launched against the south Mk.Vb is prepared of England and soon re-equipped for another sortie at with the more powerful Spitfire RAF Hawkinge, Kent Mk.XIV. On July 8, Fg Off Rudy on February 1, 1944. Burgwal destroyed five of the flying bombs in a single 90-minute sortie – he was killed less than a month later. Of the squadron total of 108 V-1 ‘kills’, Burgwal was credited with 19 as well as sharing in the miles (22km) west of Hanover, attempt to land on October 14 was annihilation of a further five. Germany, 322 Squadron was thwarted by fog. By autumn that year the squadron disbanded on October 7. Just under A second attempt was planned had reverted to flying ground- a year later, its number plate was for the following night. However attack sorties in support of the passed to the 322e Jachtvliegtuig not only had their first attempt allied armies advancing from Afdeling (Fighter Division) of the spooked the enemy into full alert, France; on December 31 it landed Royal Netherlands Army at Twente unknown to van Hamel and his on Dutch soil when it moved to Airbase, east Holland, in salute to men, they had been betrayed. Their Woensdrecht from Biggin Hill, its wartime record. arrest promptly followed. Kent. From then until the end of The Germans had posted 200 hostilities in 1945 it was heavily Gallantry and Masters soldiers and a myriad of machine involved with fighter sweeps, A pilot with 320 Squadron, Lt Heye guns around the area. Schaper dive bombing and armed recce. Schaper was among the original arrived over the lake in the middle Ending the war at Wunstorf, 13 few to arrive in England during of the night and received the 26 FlyPast May 2020 his machine (AV961) was badly in Canada, he was promoted to !"# In March 1943, damaged – the fuel tank had been pilot officer and posted to 103 320 squadron moved to RAF Methwold, hit, the plexiglass nose section Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds, Norfolk where it had been shattered and the flying north Lincolnshire, to fly the converted to the North controls were damaged. Taking the Avro Lancaster. He completed 25 American Mitchell shortest route back to England, operations during winter 1943-44, Mk.II. The unit fl ew he alighted on the River Orwell, 11 of which were against Berlin. 2,433 sorties with the type. ALL GRAHAM which flows into the North Sea at During one of these raids, the PITCHFORK COLLECTION Felixstowe, Suffolk – but not before target was obscured by cloud and UNLESS STATED being fired upon by an overzealous on the return flight his aircraft was correct signals. After touching local Home Guard patrol. The attacked and badly damaged by a 7! 89 Groundcrew down, he taxied towards a boat three men were decorated for their night-fighter. However, he managed service a 320 Squadron Lockheed visible on the glass-like water. gallantry. Schaper was appointed to return to Elsham where he made Hudson Mk.III – When just 150ft (45m) from the Knight in the Military William an expert landing. Volunteering for possibly at RAF craft, a machine gun opened fire Order of the Fourth Class and a second tour of duty, ‘t Hart joined Leuchars, Scotland – as searchlights illuminated the was awarded the DFC. The second Bomber Command’s Pathfinder post-October 1940. aeroplane. Realising the situation, pilot, Ritte, also received the DFC, Force with 156 Squadron. He van Tongeren immediately while van Tongeren was awarded was ranked as an acting flight returned fire as Schaper slammed the DFM.