Dutch East Indies

[Heliopause]

 

The British Eastern Fleet meanwhile attacks Sabang (Operation Cockpit), northern Sumatra. Harbor, radiostation and ships are attacked aswell as the enemy airfield destroying some 22 enemy planes. It seeks to prevent the enemy from transferring forces in the area to contest a planned American landing in New Guinea.

 

Barracuda plane seen here as it departs Sabang area.

 

Sabang airfield

[Heliopause]

22nd April
Morning strike on Dilly, Timor. Eleven B-25's with six Beaufighters acting as top cover escort. One Beaufighters returns to base after 1h 47min due to engine trouble.
The B-25's bomb the target area succesfully in three formations. Heavy AA is seen at the same height but luckily always behind the bombers. Six small planes are observed in the harbor.

[Heliopause]

25th april
Four Beaufighters Sqn 31, RAAF are ordered to carry out a strike on a bridge in the Viquequo Quicras area. Upon reaching the area the bridge is "found previously destroyed by flood waters".

[Heliopause]

27th april
Eight Beaufighters Sqn 31, RAAF are to carry out a harassing attack on the west coast of Aroe island. However three Beaufighters develope engine trouble and the mission is canceled.

[Heliopause]

28th april
Photo mission for Sqn 18 NEI towards the island of Selaroe (near Tanimbar islands) by a three ship formation. Pictures are to be taken of the enemy airfield constructed. However because of the appalling weather conditions the mission is not succesfull.
 

[Heliopause]

29th April
Strike on Dilly, Timor. Six Beaufighters, Sqn 31 RAAF acting as top cover escort for twelve B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. The target area is succesfully bombed with big and small fires observed. AA is present but exploding at the wrong altitude.

 

Meanwhile Sqn 120 NEI has most of its P-40's arrive at Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Four remaining planes will arrive tommorrow. The group left yesterday for Townsville with today the flight to Merauke. Lockheed Ventura's from the RAAF acting as navigational planes.

 

P-40's Sqn 120 NEI seen at Canberra.

[Heliopause]

30th april
Two photo missions by Sqn 18 NEI towards the Tanimbar islands, each by a three ship formation. The second formation of B-25's taking low alt oblique's. The information gathered for possible landing areas on these islands.

[Heliopause]

2nd May
Nightattack on Kupang with ten B-25's assigned. One machine abandons the mission shortly after take-off due to engine troubles. Two of the bombers act as pathfinders with the attack being succesfull. Sqn Ldr Kaufman (RAAF) joins as a passenger in B-25 N5-180 under command of Capt Arens. AA is light over the target area.

[Heliopause]

6th May
Nightattack by eight B-25's on the airfield of Langgur, runway and dispersal area. Because of the bad weather Capt Arens, acting as a pathfinder goes from 8000 to 4000feet before dropping the fire bombs on the target. Three planes fail to locate the target with the remaining machines being unable to see results because of the density of cloud.

 

2 days ago: Sqn 31 RAAF carried out a strafing attack on north east coast of Timor from Cape Chater to Manatuto, reporting: "40/50 Japanese strafed inflicting casualities. Three four ton trucks strafed and one 40' barge also strafed and left damaged. At least one of the M/T's was damaged".

[Heliopause]

9th May
Sqn 31 RAAF carries out a bombing and strafing attack with six Beaufighters on Doka Barat strips and neighbouring stores. "Bombs are dropped on suspected dump areas and others on the strips. Suspected ack ack post strafed and also bombed and at least temporary silenced. Landing jetty strafed and damaged".

 

In the evening ten B-25's, Sqn 18 NEI set out for a night-attack on the airfield of Langgur, Kai islands. One machine has technical difficulties and does not participate. The remaining planes commence bombing at 3am with the mission going according to plan. By 6:12am all planes have landed back at Batchelor.

[Heliopause]

11th May
Nightattack on Penfui by ten B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. Barracks at Penfui and hangars near the airfield are bombed. After the attack fires are still seen 50 miles out. Crews of three machines report nightfighter activity with B-25 N5-184 under command of Capt De Jong coming under attack, however without receiving damage. Searchlights are accurate, probably radar guided.

 

From Merauke, Dutch New Guinea six B-25's set out for a strike to the Wissel Lakes (Paniai Lakes). No enemy floatplanes are observed and the bombers attack the surrounding villages and the radiostation at Enarotali. Canoes and motorized sloops are sunk with light AA coming from Enarotali and Timoeka.
This mission gives support to De Bruin, government official in Dutch New Guinea and his "Oaktree" party. With Hollandia (to the North) being taken by Allied forces under Gen. MacArthur more pressure is coming on Oaktree as enemy troops now move into the interior from the north resulting in a possible encirclement of the party. Around this time it is decided to evacuate the whole group instead of only radioman R. Gout. The whole group must therefore relocate towards Hagers lake.

[Heliopause]

17th May
Attack on Surabaya, Java by the British Eastern Fleet (Operation Transom) by planes from the aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious and USS Saratoga. It is hoped that this will divert Japanese forces ahead of the Allied landing at Wakde Island off New Guinea. Two strike forces set out making a well-synchronised attack. The oil refinery and engineering works are attacked by Force A while Force B attacks shipping and dock facilities in Surabaya's port. One of Saratogas Avengers is shot down by AA, the crew becoming POW's. Seven B-24's will attack at night for a follow up attack adding to the fires started earlier in the day.

Saratoga and her three escorting American destroyers detache from Eastern Fleet tomorow shortly before sunset and proceed to Fremantle.

 

Avenger aircraft of 832 Squadron on HMS Illustrious. On April 19th (Operation Cockpit) Fairy Barracudas were part of the strike force but these had

been replaced by Avengers by the time of Transom. 

 

Close up of an Avenger

 

Commander J.C. Clifton about to be launched from Saratoga. He led both carriers strike forces during the attack.

 

Some footage: 

 

Edited May 17, 2024 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

18th May
Offensive sweep by four B-25's, Sqn 18 NEI towards the towns of Larat, Saumlaki and Selaroe (Tanimbar islands). Five enemy freighters are attacked at mastheight, left burning or sinking. During the attack at Saumlaki-bay B-25 N5-177 under command of Lt Geerke is hit in engine no.2 by medium AA causing a fire. Plane and crew (incl. airgunner/Sgt Cowey, RAAF) are lost as the bomber is seen to crash in the centre of the town.

 

19th May
Bombing mission at dusk with twelve B-25's at Atamboea, Timor. The first four planes mark the target area with fire bombs, the remaining machines then follow up. AA is absent as are enemy fighter planes.

[Heliopause]

22nd May
Low level attack on Doka Barat (Aru isles) by four B-25's. No enemy vessels are observed with attention then focusing on the airfield. Runways are bombed and surrounding area strafed with enemy AA (20mm) fired at the planes.

[Heliopause]

24th May
Four B-25's, Sqn 18 NEI attack the radar station at Cape Karera, Soemba island. Buildings and installation like the w/t station are bombed and strafed. The mission is flown out of Drysdale.

 

Another four machines set out to the Tanimbar islands for an offensive sweep. A camouflaged boat of 150T is observed and set alight.

[Heliopause]

27th May
Morning mission towards Soe, Timor by twelve B-25's. In formations of four the attack is carried out with most bombs falling in the target. Light AA present but not accurate.

[Heliopause]

June 2nd
Sweep by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI towards the north coast of Timor. An enemy freighter is discovered and attacked. AA (20mm) is coming from the bow. All of the B-25's get hit during the attack. The ship is beached with a fire seen to develope. A group of men is seen to jump into the water.

 

June 3rd
Photo recon mission by three B-25's towards Larat and the bigger Kei islands. Commander Sqn 18 NEI, Lt-Col Te Roller joining the crew of Capt. Van Buuren in B-25 N5-172.

[Heliopause]

June 4th
Night-attack on the Naval Air Station at Toeal, Kei islands by seven B-25's, Sqn 18 NEI. Eight planes are assigned but one has engine problems and does not participate. Although there is heavy and medium AA, the mission is succefull with Capt. Welter in B-25 N5-214 acting as pathfinder.

 

June 5th
Shipping sweep by four B-25's towards the islands between Tanimbar and Timor. On the island of Romang a new radiostation is discovered.

 

Low over the Banda sea.

[Heliopause]

6th June
Shipping sweep by four B-25's, Sqn 18 NEI towards the islands of Alor and Pantar, north of Timor. Commander of 79 Group RAAF, Gp/Capt. C. Eaton
joins Maj. Asjes in B-25  N5-164. A vessel of 50Ton is attacked and destroyed and later runway no.2 at Dilly is bombed from 8000feet.

[Heliopause]

9th June
Shipping sweep by Sqn 18 NEI towards the westcoast of the Aru isles. Four B-25's are assigned but one develops engine trouble returning to base shortly after the
start of the mission. No enemy vessels are sighted but on the island of Trangan an radarstation is observed. An attack is then carried out by bombing and strafing.

[Heliopause]

10th June
Bombing mission in the morning by twelve B-25's, Sqn 18 NEI on Atamboea, Timor. Carried out in patrols of four planes many fires of different proportions are seen
to develope as a result. On the way back a submarine is spotted. It does not react to signals given and is seen dive.

[Heliopause]

14th June
Attack on the airfield of Lautum at dusk by twelve B-25's. The bombing is succesfull with most bombs seen to fall in the target area. Huge fires are observed as a
result. AA is intense and of different calibre.

[Heliopause]

16th June
Four B-25's, Sqn 18 NEI are assigned to carry out an shipping sweep towards the Tanimbar islands. One machine has a defect with its fuel system and returns to base. The remaining planes find no enemy vessels and the mission proofs uneventfull.

 

17 June
Shipping sweep by Sqn 18 NEI along the westcoast of the Aru isles. Four B-25's carry out the mission with two enemy vessels attacked and set alight (resp. 75 and
30Ton). On the last vessel around 10 men are observed, presumably all perish.

Edited June 17, 2024 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

19th June
Attack at dusk on Charter strip, Timor by Sqn 18 NEI. Fifteen B-25's participate with the mission deemed succesfull. Hardly any opposition is observed.

 

Sometimes a mission was carried out at squadron strength. Here a nice formation shot of B-25's Sqn 18 NEI.

[Heliopause]

21st june
Dutch submarine K XIV is out on a secret assigment, operating out of Darwin, Australia. Today it spots an enemy vessel in Sagawin strait. The assignment is then canceled and a torpedo hit is registered on the enemy minelayer Tsugaru (4410t). The Tsugaru eventually is sunk by American submarine USS Darter near Morotai on the 29th (Darter enduring a heavy depth charge barrage as a result of her attack).

 

K XIV seen here during maintenance (I think at Bombay in 1942).

[Heliopause]

23rd June
K XIV uses her deck gun to sink the Japanese landing craft Dornia Baru (10t) off Ceram.

[Heliopause]

24th June
Attack on Charter strip, Timor by B-25's of Sqn 18 NEI. Eight machines are assigned with one returning shortly after take-off due to problems with the hydraulic system. The attack is succefully carried out by the remaining seven planes. Two enemy machines are observed at the dispersal area and one on the crossing of the two runways. One patrol is followed by an enemy "Nick" for about 45 min.  It attacks a number of times but is kept at a distance with good formation flying and central firing control.

 

A mastheight attack is also carried out with four planes. Near Tioor island an enemy freighter is attacked aswell as smaller craft, buildings and coastal installations.

 

On the 23rd of June a shipping sweep to the Kai islands was carried out by four B-25's. Two cargo ships pulling six landing craft were attacked and left burning.
B-25 N5-162 with Sqn. Comm. Lt-Col Te Roller was hit by enemy fire. Passing this information over the radio the machine was then seen to make another attack at a very low level. A fire was then observed from the middle of the fuselage and the machine was seen to dive into the sea with a tremendous explosion. Two other machines received damage, one in the tail section and the other in the port engine (which continued to run). Maj. Asjes will soon take over as Squadron commander.

Edited June 25, 2024 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

26th june
Strike on Charter strip, Timor by seven B-25's. Three Beaufighters, Sqn 31 RAAF act as escorts. The attack is without incidents. One huge fire with black smoke is observed.

 

27th June
Armed recco by four P-40's Sqn 120 NEI led by Maj. Maurenbrecher. At the shore of Cooks Bay bombs are dropped despite poor visibility due to low cloud ceiling.

 

During the last month Sqn 120 NEI had flown familiarisation- and practise flights from Merauke, Dutch New Guinea after arriving there from Australia. The occasional intercept is also performed although when finding the plane it always turns out to be friendly.  Here a photo of a Dutch P-40 at Mopah, the airfield near Merauke.

[Heliopause]

8th July
An anti-shipping sweep is ordered for Sqn 18 NEI. Four B-25's are to set out to the Aru isles. One machine has to return however due to troubles with engine No.1. Along the west coast a number of small camouflaged vessels are discovered and attacked resulting in these being sunk. Also harbor-installations and docks are attacked.

 

Meanwhile Sqn 120 NEI had carried out a mission on July 5th:

A strafing attack was ordered for Sqn 120 NEI. Six P-40's set out to Japero (some 600 km west of Merauke). Results of the attack on the huts and small buildings could not be observed because of the jungle. One P-40, flown by Lt. Verspoor ditches after being hit in the oil cooler. The pilot later reports: "Made one bombing run over target with first section but bombs fell in water. I noticed what appeared to be fire from the ground. Made another run from N-NE of target and saw fire from guns. During this run I felt the plane hesitate, then guns went out of action, also noticed while joining section that gasoline was going rapidly. Approx. 3-4 miles SE of Cooks Bay motor cut and I crashlanded on water 20 yards from the shore. Supplies were dropped - 3 cases of wich I received one; others dropped in sea and jungle. This morning a larger crowd appeared. They were quite friendly, brought food and wished to barter. They had tattoo marks or burns on the chest, sticks through their noses and were nude. Later a PBY arrived and picked me up".

 

Vultee aircraft from Sqn 12, RAAF came to the rescue dropping supplies, one of which the Dutch pilot was able to receive. 

[Heliopause]

11th July
Assignment for eight B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. An anti-shipping sweep Towards Tior isle and a attack on a buildingcomplex. Over the target area the weather conditions force the bombers to operate in pairs. Although searched no vessels are found and subsequently Tior is bombed. Results can not be seen apart from a large explosion that is visible even through clouds.
 

[Heliopause]

14th July
Sqn 120 NEI performs two supply drops out of Merauke. Two sorties to Pulau river dropping containers for the supply of an army post.

 

15th July
Anti shipping sweep to the Aru isles by Sqn 18 NEI. Weather conditions dont allow enemy vessels to be observed. However a 10m long raft type is attacked and sunk. Barat-strip then receiving attention by all four B-25's although (again) the weather prevents good observation of the results.

[Heliopause]

16th July
Strike ordered for Sqn 31, RAAF. "Four Beaufighters carried out strafing attack on shipping at Maoe Mere, also grounded aeroplanes together with one airborne
aeroplane". Reported as three "Nicks" destroyed (one being shot down in air combat) and one damaged.
 

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "• Australian and Dutch B-25 Mitchells are attacking barges and coastal traffic along the coast of Timor and the Alor Islands. In addition to camouflaged barges, sunk are auxiliary minesweeper Wa-4, coaster No.53 Ebisu Maru and motor sailboat Bokkai Maru.

 

Mitchells attacking camouflaged barges"

[Heliopause]

24th July
Recon flight by a single B-25 (under command of Capt. Staal) towards the Tanimbar isles. A number of steel landingcraft are sighted SE of the island of Walit. A number of these are hit and enemy troops are seen to swim towards the coast. Back at base bulletholes are found in fuselage and wings.

 

At Merauke, Dutch New Guinea, pilot Pelsmaker from Sqn 120 NEI crashes his P-40 during a training flight. He is found still alive and taken to hospital but later succumbs to his wounds.

 

Briefing at Merauke. 

[Heliopause]

25th July
Attack on Sabang (at the northern tip of Sumatra) by the British Eastern Fleet (Operation Crimson) in the early morning. 
The aircraft carriers HMS Victorious and Illustrious together with cruisers and destroyers had sailed out of Trincomalee on the 22nd. As the Corsair fighters arrive over the target area it is still to dark to accurately strafe. The airfield at Kotaraja is not located. At the airfields of Lho Nga and Sabang mostly large buildings in the vicinity are attacked although three enemy planes are destroyed or damaged in strafing at Sabang.

The battleships meanwhile (the French Richelieu among them) bombard harbor installations and local barracks aided by planes from Illustrious.

Following the main bombardment the Dutch cruiser Tromp and the three British destroyers Quilliam, Quality and Quickmatch enter Sabang Bay and succesfully shell and torpedo shore installations. Tromp achieves one extra success: a small steamer, moored in the harbor, explodes after being hit by a salvo of 5.9 inch shells. Tromp is hit by four shells from enemy shorebatteries but these don't cause much damage. British destroyers Quality and Quilliam receive one hit each. On Tromp both Machinist Steenaard and Kwartiermeester Hendriks both find an enemy grenade and take it out and throw it overboard (Hendriks found it on top of a colander in the galley with Steenaard taking one out from above the boilers).

 

The fleet then withdraws at 09:30 hours. Two enemy recon. planes are then detected with both of them shot down by the fighter protection. Before dusk a flight of ten enemy fighters is detected with 13 Corsairs sent against them, claiming two kills and two damaged (another source states four kills).

 

Artist impression of Hr. Ms. Tromp at Sabang bay.

 

Artist impression of Corsair strafing at Sabang airfield.

 

Big ships of Eastern Fleet on the return from Sabang. 

[cardboard_killer]

Strike photo of Sabang airfield

 

Richelieu firing on Sabang - taken from HMS Renown

[Heliopause]

26th July
De Bruin, government official in Dutch New Guinea and his "Oaktree" party is evacuated by air. Through radio contact the party had been able to communicate their arrival at the edge of Lake Hagers yesterday. The journey had been far from easy but luckily there was air support. On the 16th the party had received 1.200 lbs of suplies by air (from Catalina Y 87) after having lost its supplies during a river crossing. On the 29th of June "Crayfish" party (four men under Lt. Overweel) arrived at Canoe bivak uniting with De Bruin. "Crayfish" had arrived on Febr 26th by parachute "the first occasion on which operational jumps had been made in the central mountains".

 

Enemy troops have moved into the interior from the north in recent months resulting in a possible encirclement. However enemy troops, only 3 to 4 kilometers to the north of Hagers Lake, have not moved in possibly aware and fearfull of the air support that De Bruin is receiving. For this evac. operation two Catalinas and a B-25 participate. Catalina Y 87 lands first to check out the situation. As all is calm the other Catalina Y 45 (equipped with two 100 lbs. bombs just in case) also lands to take in "Oaktree" and "Crayfish". The B-25 meanwhile keeping a watchfull eye from above ready to bomb and strafe the enemy if he decides to show up.
There is no interruption by the enemy and the party members are succesfully flown out of the jungle, first to Merauke and later on to Australia. De Bruin will be in hospital for some time due to malnutrition. He will work again in Dutch New Guinea post war at Biak and Hollandia. In the sixties he returned to Holland. He passed away in February 1979 at the age of 65.

 

The big lakes prove very usefull. Catalina Y 87 seen here over Sentani Lake near Hollandia.

[Heliopause]

27th July
Attack mission on enemy shipping by eight B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. The mission is flown out of Truscott. Near Maoemere, Flores vessels of over 4000T are expected. Arriving in the target area the crews only observe an ship of around 500T and a number of steal landingcraft. The bombs are then dropped on a dump area. Weatherconditions prevent a good observation of the results however. Heavy and medium AA are present.

Edited July 27, 2024 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

28th July
Bombingmission on an enemy encampment near Poeloeti, Timor. Four B-25's participate out of Truscott. The target is bombed from 8000ft with a numbers of fires seen to develope. A big explosion is observed with a black smoke column reaching 2000ft. AA is not accurate.

[Heliopause]

29th July
Attack on the airfield of Penfui, Timor. Twelve B-25's participate. Arriving in the target area it is covered by 9/10 rainclouds. The bombs are then dropped on target
after an opening in the clouds is discovered.