Dutch East Indies

[Heliopause]

31st August
Squadron 18 NEI celebrates the anniversary of Queen Wilhemina, no missions are flown.
Between July 2nd and August 9th fourteen crews had arrived at Batchelor airfield after completing their training at the Royal Netherlands Military Flying school at Jackson Army Air Base, USA.

 

The last week of August had seen a number of missions. On the 23rd two planes carried out a misson to the Tanimbar islands, one B-25 to Selaru to attack huts on the airfield and the nearby village of Mitak. Followed soon afterwards by strafing attacks on the supply-ship "Kokoki Maru" in Adodo harbor, setting it alight. The other B-25 bombing Larat and a number of surrounding villages. Two ships where later spotted (one a destroyer), the findings radioed to base. A follow up attack was quickly planned but the ships where not found again.
On the 24th two machines attacked barges in the harbor of Adalo (Timor), with three barges set on fire.
The 25th had seen three missions. One towards Tenau by two planes with the bombs falling in the target area. A nightattack on Hansisi (Semaoe island) by a single B-25, although misty conditions denied good visibility on the target. The crew released the bombload along the coast. The third mission was with three planes towards Koepang, attacking from 7000 - 8000feet. Huge fires where seen developing with orange-white flames. Pamflets where also dropped. An enemy plane was spotted passing overhead over one of the bombers at some 800feet distance although this did not carry out an attack.
The 27th saw an attack on Dilly by seven B-25's. An enemy headquarter, troopcontrations and a fuel dump where the designated targets. Huge fires where seen to erupt as a result with the biggest fire stil visible 45 miles out.
The 29th and 30th had seen the occasional recon mission flown by a single B-25 with "nothing to report".

 

B-25 seen at Batchelor prior to another mission.

[Heliopause]

Sept 2nd
The new Operations Officer for Sqn 18 NEI Capt. Wittert van Hoogland arrives at Batchelor airfield in a Lockheed Lodestar. He has flown over from San Franscisco. This succesfull flight without the use of ferry pilots will signal the fresh B-25 crews standing by at San Francisco to also perform it by themselfs (eight new B-25's with freshly trained crews from the Royal Netherlands Military Flying school). They will soon follow flying to Batchelor.

 

The Lodestar with (second from left) Wittert van Hoogland. He joined the Army in 1926 and started flying in 1927 on the Fokker S.2 trainer.  Shortly before the surrender of Java he was posted to India to collect B-25's that came in through the Western Ferry Route. After spending a few months in India handing over the five B-25's to the RAF he was then posted to the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School, USA as an instructor.

[Heliopause]

Sept 6th
Sqn 18 NEI carries out two missions. The first is to Dilly with four B-25's with the planes attacking after dusk. The bombs fall in the designated area. Numerous small fires and a number of big ones are seen to develope. AA is light and of medium caliber. The second mission is a low level attack on the airfield of Fuiloro, originally with four planes but one has to return due to engine troubles. The three remaining machines bombing the target with enemy planes seen to take-off however these do not attack. On the return a submarine is spotted which crash dives as the B-25's get closer to investigate.

[Heliopause]

Sept 7th
De Bruijn, government official in Dutch New Guinea is receiving long awaited supplies:
"Today, after two long months of anticipation, the Catalina came".

"After so many attempts to cross the range by flying the direct route from Merauke, they abandoned that idea and took the roundabout way to Wissel lakes (Paniai lakes nowadays), and then turned north-east to Bilorai. Much as the supplies were needed, it was an unfortunate thing that they had flown over the lakes, because the Japanese there, watching the plane, probably learned from its direction the region in which "Oaktree" (De Bruijn's party) was working. Word had to be sent to Merauke not to repeat a trip by that route and later they flew at 18,000feet directly over the ranges in good weather or bad without ever a mishap".

 

A few notes of De Bruijn from the previous months:
"23rd June --- Made a patrol with a few men back to Wandai for the purpose of cutting the bridges across the river. All the crossings were destroyed,

       with the exception of the one at Zanepa, which was left under the safe surveillance of the Chief, Mundigibuwi".

"July  26th  --- Received news that Mussolini has resigned. To-night we hold a feast to celebrate this first step towards the liberation of Europe".
"August 6th --- Every day waiting for the plane that does not come ".
"August 13th -- Still waiting for the plane. One month has passed".
"August 18th --- A message to say that the plane will arrive to-morrow and drop eleven parachutes and eleven dumps".
"August 20th -- Still no plane. A message to say that it could not get over the range on account of bad weather".

 

The Oaktree party was able to receive some food from the friendly tribes but supplies where needed for (also) medicine, ammo, etc.

Edited September 7, 2023 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Sept 8th
Four B-25's from Sqn 18 NEI carry out a mission to Laha, Ambon island in the evening. From an altitude of around 6000 - 8000feet the bombers attack with most bombs seen to fall in the designated area. Pamflets are also dropped.

[Heliopause]

Sept 12th
Nightattack by two B-25's of Sqn 18 NEI on Laha, Ambon. Bombs fall in the designated area. Fires are seen for a short while with medium AA present.
On Sept. 9th two machines had set out for a low level attack on enemy ships, reported earlier at Selaru island (Tanimbar). The vessels where not found however and the bombers attacked alternative targets with light AA being observed.

[Heliopause]

24th Sept
Catalina's of Sqn 321 (Dutch) RAF have arrived at Socotra island (Gulf of Aden). Previously operating out of South Africa for the convoy protection role they are now assigned to the north as enemy submarines have changed their area of operation. On the island a bare mimimum is present for the personell. Tents are set up and beds made with rope and wooden frame. Scheduled maintanence of the planes is performed at Aden as the dust and sand at Socotra make this impossible to do locally. As a plus side to this these trips to Aden allow fresh food to arrive at the Squadron, a welcome change from the cans of "Meat and Vegetables". Soon missions are flown. These start around 4pm with the planes returning at 10am the next morning.

 

Another island to operate from these days is Masirah (Gulf of Oman). The first plane coming out of China Bay, Ceylon with other machines soon following from the South Africa detachment. The planes operate out of a bay. On the island is an airfield used by a RAF squadron using Wellingtons. The island is also used by US forces as a transito harbor. Betty Grable, Bob Hope and Nelson Eddy will perform for the troops as they pass-by, always with an enthiousiastic crowd.

 

Not everything went smooth: Catalina Y 85 after making a somewhat rough landing at Socotra.

[Heliopause]

28th Sept
Sqn 18 NEI receives instructions to send B-25 "N5-134" to Canberra. After modifications it will later be send to Dutch New Guinea for a secret assignement (photo mission Merauke - Hollandia for the search of a possible landroute. The information gathered also being usefull for De Bruin and his "Oaktree" party in the jungle).

Edited September 28, 2023 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

30th Sept
Attack on Manatutu, Timor by Sqn 18 NEI with three machines assigned. However one machine returns to base prematurly due to fuel problems. The remaining two B-25's reach the target area and bomb from a height of around 1600 - 1800feet. Photo's are also taken. The 20th had seen an attack on Penfui, Timor by four B-25's with three machines succesfully hitting dumps.
This month has seen the new aircrews starting to carry out the operational missions. The fresh crews having finished their training in the USA (Royal Netherlands Military Flying school at Jackson Army Air Base).

 

W.F.A. "Gus" Winckel is one of the pilots that will stay a couple of months longer with the squadron to help out the new crews. He had received his wings in the Dutch East Indies in 1938 becoming operational on the B-10 bomber. In 1941 he started to fly the Lockheed Lodestar flying many transport flights to the many outposts and Australia.  During the attack on Broome (March 3rd 1942) he took a Browning machine gun out of his Lodestar and shot down one of the attacking Zero's. On June 5th 1942 he was able (with his bombardier Van Loggem) to succesfully attack an enemy submarine on Australia's east coast. He is seen here in B-25 N5-145 "the Flying Dutchman".

Edited September 30, 2023 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

3rd Okt
Two B-25's of Sqn 18 NEI carry out a mission to Lake Paniai, Dutch New Guinea (DNG). It is suspected the enemy uses the lakes for some of its floatplanes. The plan is to make a stop at Millingimbi in the North of Australia to top-up the fuel. However it is decided to do this at Merauke, on DNG itself (Merauke remaining un-occupied during the war). The target area is bombed with the towns of Enarotali, Najepa and Kepo subsequently attacked with the use of machineguns. These attacks are, in part to "encourage" the local chief not to be too cooperative with the Japanese forces in the area and thus giving De Bruin and his "Oaktree" party a better chance of survival.

[Heliopause]

7th Okt.
Recon mission from Drijsdale by a single B-25 (N5-136) from Sqn 18 NEI. It had arrived yesterday from Batchelor airfield. The flight is towards Soemba island. After a flight time of three hours an SOS message is received at Darwin; "attacked by Zero's". A search plane is send out but nothing is found. N5-136 and crew are subsequently reported missing.

 

At the end of the war Sgt. Van Burg will come out of a prisoner of war camp in Japan. The only survivor of the crew. Without him the story of what had happened would most probably never been known.

As the plane observed two enemy vessels at Wainggapoe harbor the crew spotted four enemy fighters giving chase. The bombload was then released into the sea and pilot Visser quickly made for cloudcover. Soon the first fighter came flying parallel at around 100 meters distance and gunner Gerads (top turret) opened fire which resulted in the fighter plane being hit. A second salvo send it straight down into the sea. A second fighter made a frontal attack but was hit by the nose guns. As it passed underneath the B-25 the lower gunner (Van Burg) fired a salvo aswell with the fighter plane going down in flames. The two remaining fighters attacked from different directions. At some moment one of them was seen to fly away trailing smoke, most probably hit by the defensive fire. At that point the B-25 was already badly hit. Engine No.2 was on fire and the right rudder had been shot away and there was a hole in the fuselage. A fire inside the bomber was extinghuised by Van Burg. Hydraulics were also shot up so from then on the machine guns were out aswell. "We then tried to hit the enemy fighter with our revolvers. I send the SOS message and soon the signal came that an emergency landing had to be made". Prior to this the glass of the top turret was smashed by gunner Gerads. Van Burg was just able to put a pillow between his head and the frequenty meter when the schock of the landing on water came. Soon the B-25 sank with five crewmembers in the dingy which was shot through so inflated only half. Pilot Visser had hit his head during landing and was most probably dead as he went down below the waves still in the cockpit. One of the crew was bleeding and sharks were then seen, however these did not attack. At the end of the day he had passed away and was put overboard. For the rest of the survivors there was only a bit of chocolate. Thirst became unbearable. Floating in the sea without land in sight for three days and nights land was seen in the morning of oktober 12th. One of the Sgt's then started to scream saying he would swim over with the dingy then turning over. He was proceeding to swim towards land but never seen again.
The three remaining men then rowing towards land which they only reached at midnight. Exhausted they crawled onto the beach and fell asleep under a tree. In the morning Van Burg suddenly woke up and seeing a Japanese soldier who aimed his rifle and started to fire. Gunner Gerads was shot in the head and then Sgt. De Hoog was hit. They must have died instantly as they didn't move therafter. Van Burg made as many moves as possible on the beach to distract the enemy soldier. Two shots where fired at Van Burg but these missed. He then found shelter behind a rock with a third shot fired at him but this recocheted off the rock. At that point the enemy soldier had probably emptied his clip and Van Burg came from behind the rock then being tied to a tree. The soldier started pocking with his bayonet but an officer arrived on horse and
Van Burg was taken to Wainggapoe and received some food and something to drink. He was questioned and shown pictures of airfields in Northern Australia (among them Batchelor Airfield). They were able to tell that Sqn 18 NEI commander was Lt/Col Zomers. After 5 days he was taken to Surabaya and questioned by MP (the same questions and Van Burg giving the same answers). After another 5 days he was taken to Tokio in one of the former Dutch Lockheed 12's. The trip taking four days. On the 24th Januari 1944 taken to Ashio prisoner camp. Worked in the copper mines until August 15th 1945 with 250 Dutch POW's from Java. Finally tranported to Yokohama on September 4th and into American hands.

 

Sgt. Van Burg (top). De Hoog is seen in the middle in lower picture.

Edited October 7, 2023 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

11th Okt.

Nightattack on Charter and Lautem strip by Sqn 18 NEI by four of its B-25's.

Yesterday saw an attack on Saumlaki by five planes. Area was succesfully bombed with heavy AA present. Pamflets (20 000) where also dropped.

[Heliopause]

14th Okt
Sqn 18 NEI has three night-operations. The first towards Langgoer (a single B-25) with 5 x 500 lbs bombs. AA is not accurate. The second mission is planned with three planes although one has to return due to a defect to the electrical system. The two remaining planes reach Lautem and bomb the designated area with fires seen to develope. One fire consisting of huge intense flames. Inaccurate AA is seen. The third mission is also flown by three B-25's, these going to Dilly. All bombs are seen to hit the target area with various fires seen to develope. The B-25 flown by Lt. Moquette also drops a photoflash bomb.

[Heliopause]

17th Okt
Another mission by Sqn 18 NEI to the Wissel Lakes (Paniai Lakes), Dutch New Guinea (DNG) like on October 3rd. This time by a single B-25 under command of Capt. Witter van Hoogland. As in the previous mission light AA (0.50 cal) is noticed at Enarotali.

 

Patrol "Moquette" is seen here in front of B-25 N5 146.  Lt. Moquette had arrived at the squadron at the end of April as part of a number of freshly trained pilots in the USA. On October 3rd he operated the second B-25 towards Paniai Lakes as a wingman to Capt. Wittert van Hoogland.

Edited October 17, 2023 by Heliopause

[Ghost666]

@Heliopause Really like your posts, very informative. But a little confused here. How many B-25s where on the 3 Oct mission?

 

1 hour ago, Heliopause said:

"This time by a single B-25 under command of Capt. Witter van Hoogland. "

 

"On October 3rd he operated the second B-25 towards Paniai Lakes as a wingman to Capt. Wittert van Hoogland."

 

 

[Heliopause]

?

Oct 3rd was two B-25's. Today (80 years ago) was a single plane. I quess they figured one was enough ?

[Ghost666]

Thanks ?

[Missionbug]

This is a great topic, thank you very much, really appreciated.

 

A much neglected area of the war from a flight sim perspective, maybe one day someone will give it some love.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Wishing you all the very best, Pete.

[Heliopause]

23rd Oct
An attack is planned on the Serwatoe river (Aroe islands). Six B-25's from Sqn 18 NEI and six Beaufighters of Sqn 31 R.A.A.F. as escorts. The latter squadron leads but an navigational error sees the formation arriving over the Kai islands instead.

Two days ago saw a night bombing excersise by four B-25's of Sqn 18 NEI. As the last plane came over the range the flare got stuck in the bombbay doors. With smoke and fire developing there was a fear of an explosion and Sgt/pilot Engels ordered the crew to bail out. All but one got out as Sgt/Mech Keesmaat could't reach his parachute in the back of the plane. The remains of the B-25 are later found some three miles south of Strauss airfield. It seemed Sgt Keesmaat had tried to land the B-25 (pre-war he held a flying license for sportsplanes) but upon landing and sliding through the terrain the photo flash bomb had exploded.

[Heliopause]

26th Oct
Sqn 18 NEI and Sqn 31 RAAF repeat the assigned mission towards Serwatoe river (Aroe islands). The target area is located and bombed from 1500feet. The escorting Beaufighters then follow up with strafing attacks.

[Heliopause]

28th Oct
A single B-25 of Sqn 18 NEI is on a recon patrol. An enemy vessel is observed and attacked. AA is accurate and bombing is carried out from 6000feet. However the bombs fail to hit the ship. The intel is passed on to HQ.
Two B-25's are later send out to trace the ship. Able to find it they attack at mast-height. The bombs hit the water and both planes the then start to strafe the vessel. AA is again accurate with one of the B-25's upper turret being damaged with pieces of perspex wounding the gunner. After landing it is also found that a fuel tank was hit.

[Heliopause]

30th Oct
A single B-25 (strafer) of Sqn 18 NEI is sent out to seek an enemy vessel previously observed by RAAF Beaufighters. The ship is found (a two-master freighter) and attacked but the bombs are dropped unarmed due to a fault in the mechanism. 1st Pilot Sgt. Putter then sets the ship alight by strafing sixteen times.

Another four machines are later following up this attack. They find the ship burning and tilting to one side. Considered as destroyed the bombers then attack a nearby harbor complex.

[Heliopause]

2nd Nov
Six B-25's (Sqn 18 NEI) together with six Beaufighters (Sqn 31 RAAF) as escorts make an attack on Trangan island and Doka-Barat strip. During the bombing three enemy planes (Rufes) intercept. B-25 N5-159 is attacked by the first one from 400-500 yards distance but the enemy plane is quickly attacked by a Beaufighter. The Rufe is driven off smoking from the wingroot. Combats are not pressed on by the other two Rufes. One Beaufighter is slightly damaged by a canon shell in the port wing. There are no casualties to the crews and all planes return to base.
 

Beaufighter boys from Sqn 31 R.A.A.F.

[Heliopause]

6th Nov
A recon flight by Sqn 18 NEI is carried out by B-25 N5-128 under command of Sgt. Van der Spil. Two enemy vessels are found and subsequently attacked. However hits are not observed. The intell is quickly sent to Darwin HQ for a possible follow-up attack.

 

B-25  N5-128 with Donald Duck nose art.

[Heliopause]

9th Nov
Recon mission by Sqn 18 NEI. At some point during the flight an enemy fighter (Zeke) is observed. For a short while it follows the bomber (N5-148 under command of Sgt. Van der Heiden). After 20 minutes a second Zeke is seen which closes in to about 800 yards distance. However it doesn't open fire on the bomber and after a while dissapears.

[Heliopause]

10th Nov
Third mission to the Wissel Lakes (Paniai lakes), Dutch New Guinea (DNG) in support of De Bruijn and his "Oaktree party". B-25 N5 161 under command of Capt. Wittert van Hoogland. The assignement is (again) carried out from Merauke, DNG. A jetty is bombed at Emarotali in the first run, then huts at Kebo followed by bombs dropped on Ourena, however these overshoot in a paddy field. Remaining bombs dropped during a second run over Emarotali.
Then 30-40 canoes strafed at Paniai and Tiga lakes. "Nil AA. no observed Jap activity. weather 6/10th cloud over lakes clear over mountains".

[Heliopause]

13th Nov
Single B-25 of Sqn 18 NEI performs a recon mission. An enemy vessel (300-500 tonnage) is observed and subsequently attacked, however the four bombs fail to hit. The ship is then strafed with sailors seen to drop on the deck. 

 

Three Beaufighters of Sqn 31 RAAF rendezvous over Darwin with three B-25's of Sqn 18 NEI and the formation sets out to Fordate island (north east of Taninbar). The mission is to find the enemy vessel sighted and attacked previously. As the ship is located the Beaufighters move in and strafe resulting in a small fire amidships. This is followed by "mast high bombing" by the B-25's. Although it takes evasive action the ship is sunk by a direct hit. All airplanes return safely to base.

[Heliopause]

17th Nov
Recon flight by a single B-25 of Sqn 18 NEI. An enemy cargo ship (1000-1500 tonnage) is found and quickly attacked at mast height. One bomb (out of two) hits the vessel and it is seen to sink with two sloops going into the water. The sloops then also attacked by strafing with light and medium AA present. An escorting vessel is not attacked due to a lack off ammo. Capt. Berlijn, commander of the B-25, and his crew receive a personal compliment by telegram of Air Vice Marshal Cole (RAAF) later in the day.
Another B-25, on a recon patrol, is also directed towards the same area. The escorting ship is found and under its heavy AA bombs are dropped and seen to fall near a number of sloops close to the ship. As an enemy twin-engined plane appears on the scene, B-25 N5-146 moves out of the area and signals the results to HQ Darwin.
Three B-25's and three Beaufighters are then sent out to find the remaining vessel. It is found approuching Daweloor's nort coast (Tanimbar islands) with a strafing attack then carried out by the Beaufighters. The B-25's follow up with "a mast high strafing and bombing run". The ship is hit by three bombs and is seen to sink quickly. More then a hundred persons are seen in the water and sloops (post-war it will become clear that many POW's are among the persons on board).

 

Another three B-25's attack Manatuto on Timor. After the bombing of the target area one of the machines then drops three supplies for a guerilla group. This is done only after receiving the correct ground signal.

 

Edited November 17, 2023 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

20th Nov
A recon and attack mission is flown by a single B-25 of Sqn 18 NEI flown out of Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. An enemy stronghold at Enarotali is attacked and after the bombs fall one of the buildings is seen to explode. Shortly thereafter landingcraft are machine gunned on Pinai lake.

[Heliopause]

21st Nov
A strike is ordered to attack enemy shipping. Six B-25's (Sqn 18 NEI) covered by six Beaufighters (Sqn 31 RAAF) set out to Taberfane harbor, Aru islands. The range of the Beaufighters is deemed insufficient but squadron leader Gordon is of the opinion it can be done if, on the returnflight, a landing can be made at Millingimbi on Australia's coast (300 miles east of Darwin). The flight towards the target area is carried out at sea level. First a misleading heading towards the Kei islands is flown, then a "dog-leg" is performed towards Taberfane. The navigation is perfect as after some 20 minutes the bay with two freighters then comes into view. The formation climbes to 2000feet and spreads out. AA opens up and B-25 under command of Wittert van Hoogland takes a hit in engine no.1. forcing evasive action.

     Four enemy planes (Rufes) are seen to take-off. Wittert takes a good aim at the first Rufe with splashes seen all around it. The Rufe is seen to quickly come out of the water hanging as "a disk in the air". Second B-25 under command of Theunissen then also opens fire at it with the Rufe then seen to make a sharp turn and dissapear into the water. Three Beaufighters now close in to attack the Rufes and the B-25's dive towards the ships. Machineguns are used while closing in. More AA is now coming as coastal guns also open up. Wittert spraying the deck of a freighter before three bombs are dropped (with another three hung-ups), one bomb explodes under the vessel. Radio operator Kerdijk is able to put some tracers in the engine cowling of a Rufe that appears at five o'clock low . It then aboards its attack. 

B-25 under command of Sgt. Vos attacks the other freighter registering two hits. The ship is seen to break in half and dissepear below the surface. B-25 under command of Sgt. De Putter attacks the freighter damaged by Wittert. However his machine is hit by enemy fire with the bomber crashing in the estuary.

     The Beaufighters meanwhile are intercepted by two Rufes. The latter being destroyed. Two other Rufes are comming from the Serwatoe river area but these do not intercept. One Beaufighter has a wing tip shot off in combat whilst another is hit "with a shell or grenade in the port wing making a large hole". Both Beaufighters also have their observer's cupola damaged.
Like the Beaufighters, Wittert and his B-25's land at Millingimbi-strip first as his engine got hit, luckily not on fire but smoking (it later turns out a cilinder was shot through). The engine was not feathered during the return flight with the idea "as long as it is running, keep it running". After the conclusion of the operation one Beaufighter goes missing on the travel flight from Millingimbi to Coomalie.

 

Three Beaufighters (fighters) and two Beaufighters (bombers) with one B-25 go out for a second strike. The latter returns to base due to engine trouble with one Beaufighter already out as it crashes on take-off (both pilot and observer uninjured). As the remaining planes reach Taberfane three Rufes are seen airborne with a fourth taking off. As these come to intercept the Beaufighters jettison their bombs and return to base on orders from the Flight Commander.

 

Artist impression of the action on 21 November 1943. B-25 N5-154 "De Strietser" (the lowflyer) flown by Wittert van Hoogland.

Edited November 21, 2023 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

25th Nov
Recon flight S/SE of Timor by B-25 N5-146 under command of Lt. De Vos. It is intercepted by an enemy twin-engined plane. However De Vos is able to stay clear and after a couple of attacks the enemy turns away and disappears.

 

Around this time a group of freshly trained Dutch fighter pilots arrive in Australia (having received their training at the Royal Netherlands Military Flying school, Mississipi). Sqn 120 NEI, at first they are part of Eastern Area. Some of the pilots hope to get to fly the P-38. They soon find out however that the squadron is equipped with the P-40.

 

AT-6's from the RNMFS over Mississipi, USA.

[Heliopause]

27th Nov
De Bruijn, government official in Dutch New Guinea and his "Oaktree party" are still holding out. Today a Japanese enemy scout plane overflies the area were Oaktree party is based (Bilorai) and the people go into hiding. News later filters through that Enarotali has again been bombed by friendly planes (B-25's). Headquarters also informs him around this time that in February a party will be dropped near his present post at Bilorai, and after training with him for a few weeks will work towards the north coast to Geelvink Bay.

 

Enarotali. De Bruin had previously stayed here. With the arrival of enemy troops he had moved further into the interior.

[Heliopause]

8th Dec
Night-attack on Koepang and Penfui by Sqn 18 NEI out of Drysdale. Four machines carry out the mission with two B-25's remaining at Drysdale due to mechanical problems. Over the target area two searchlights react quickly but prove ineffective for the AA.

[Heliopause]

9th Dec
Single B-25 under Capt. Berlijn performs a bombing mission out of Merauke, Dutch New Guinea with Enarotali (again) receiving attention. Tomorrow the machine is used for a photo-recon flight to search for a possible landroute between Merauke and Hollandia. A week ago B-25 N5-146 under command of Lt. Hagers flew a similar photo mission out of Merauke. The intel will serve Gen. MacArthur's HQ.
 

[Heliopause]

12th Dec
Four B-25's of Sqn 18 NEI carry out a bombing mission to Koepang. The harbor is attacked but over half of the bombs is seen to fall in the water just before the target area. Light and medium AA is observed but this proves inaccurate.

 

Dornier Do 24 A49-5 (former X-10) under command of F/O Wright departs Lake Boga heading for Sqn 41 RAAF at Townsville. The flying boat having just received an 240 hrs. inspection. The RAAF had taken charge of five examples in 1942, survivors of the Dutch East Indies campaign. After a major overhaul these are used as transports although a lack of spare parts limits the operational missions. Dornier Do 24 X 24 the last of the type in use by Dutch forces was handed over to the RAAF last June. It is now in the process of "installation of centre engine and application of marking and identification number" (A49-6).

 

Machine A49-3 had flown the first mission to Port Moresby, New Guinea for the type on June 13th 1943. Machine A49-5 doing so on September 27th. A49-4 appears to have flown operational missions in August and October.

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "• Australian Beaufighters and Dutch Mitchells carry out an attack on Timor. The Beaufighters sink two barges and damage several schooners. The Mitchells bomb and sink the 3,200 ton Genmei Maru and badly damage the 5,100 ton Wakatsu Maru.

 

Dutch Mitchells"

[Heliopause]

16th Dec
Eight Beaufighters (Sqn 31 RAAF) perform a strike on two reported enemy vessels at Lautum. On arrival one vessel is seen to already burn fiercly, having been bombed the previous evening by Sqn 18 NEI. The other vessel is in the proces of unloading with the Beaufighters bombing it, scoring eight direct hits starting fierce fires. The ship is considered a total loss. One barge is also attack by strafing and destroyed. After the attack four enemy twin-engined planes (Nicks) are sighted with S/Ldr Gordon (DFC) climbing to intercept destroying one and damaging another. One Nick follows the Beaufighters for 80 miles after leaving Timor trying to intercept several times but without result and "finally broke off and returned to Timor". The Beaufighters return to Darwin moving later to their airfield at Coomalie.
 

[Heliopause]

17 Dec
Recon mission by Sqn 18 NEI. Single B-25 under command of Lt. Moquette. A big barge is observed and attacked with two bombs dropped but they fail to hit. It is then attacked with the use of machine guns. However due to the fuel situation the attack is discontinued with the B-25 heading for home.

[Heliopause]

21st Dec
Recon mission by Sqn 18 NEI. Single B-25 (N5-148) under command of Lt. Kiewiet de Jonge. A schooner is observed and then attacked. After strafing four times the sailors are seen to raise the Dutch flag as they abondon ship. No further strafing is carried out with N5-148 then continuing its assigned route.

[Heliopause]

24th Dec
Attack on Atoemba, Timor with five B-25's and four Beaufighters (Sqn 18 NEI / Sqn 31 RAAF). Targets are new barracks and adjacent terrain and dumps. After the attack huge fires are observed. AA is next to nil.