Dutch East Indies

[Heliopause]

Oct 28th
Attack by eight B-25's on a bridge over the Kabamiroe river (Timor). However it is unsuccesfull.

[Heliopause]

Oct 31th
Shipping sweep along the North coast of Timor by five B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. Near Cape Cremoer two barges are attacked and sunk, at Cape Beninga a sailship (three master) is set on fire and two planes bomb barracks near the bridge over the Mina river.

 

Around this time Lt.Col. D. Asjes leaves Sqn 18 NEI. Command of the squadron had passed to Lt.Col. Van Haselen on october 7th after Asjes finished his tour.
He takes a B-25, scheduled for maintenance at PEP (Personel and Equipment Pool) to Canberra. He later wrote: "The personel was lined up along the taxiway to give a last salute. After the start signal I applied full power and it was as if I left a piece of my life behind me. I turned 180 and made a last buzz over the rows of battle comrades before setting on a south-east heading. I had just arrived at altitude when suddenly I found myself swarmed by Beaufighters of our Australian colleagues. They flew in closed formation for about 10 minutes. Then they flew next to me one after the other, gave a salute and then turned for their airfield. This honourable gesture moved me for these were fine men and great brothers in arms".

 

Some of the older machines that survived the operational missions with Sqn 18 NEI continued to fly with PEP in order to give training to new crews or to keep crews current on the type. Seen here is one of those B-25's that went to PEP at Canberra.

[Heliopause]

Nov 4th
Bombing mission Sqn 18 NEI. Sighted floatplanes are to be attacked on the west side of the island of Noehoe Jaan (Kai islands). The four B-25's however do not observe the enemy planes and then bomb the town of Elat.

                                                                       

Nov 5th
Photo mission of Hatoela and Soe on Timor by a single B-25 under command of Lt. Dijkstra. Also leaflets are dropped and traffic observed between Balibo and Numura.

 

Operating out of Ceylon PBY Catalina Y 90, Sqn 321 (Dutch) RAF under Command of Höfelt finds 4 sloops with 71 survivors. A British destroyer is then able to rescue them.

 

Nov 6th
Attack on enemy shipping and AA at the harbour of Waingapoe (Soemba island) by sixteen B-25's (incl. four Australian machines). The mission starts out of the airfield of Truscott. The Dutch bombers focus on the AA positions and the Australian planes attack the vessels. Only smaller boats are present (150ft or less in lenght) and after a succesfull attack these are, most probably, left unservicable.

[Heliopause]

Nov 11th
Sqn 120 NEI operating out of Merauke, Dutch New Guinea performs two supply drops at outlying army posts at Mappi and Koemba.
Meanwhile three days ago a first section of four P-40's had left for Kamiri to temporarily join Sqn 80 RAAF in order to gain combat experience. The detachment lasting for about a week with a total of 19 sorties flown incl. searches to Ceram and Doom Island.

 

P-40's at Merauke. Training was carried out aswell as the occassional scramble. However to gain experience on operational missions against the enemy the idea arose to join an operational RAAF squadron. Not much was achieved by trying to get through the official channels but at Group level the idea was quickly "approved".

Edited November 11, 2024 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Nov 13th
Shipping attack by Sqn 18 NEI. Four B-25's set out to attack sighted enemy ships. These are not found however and instead AA emplacements near Goerita bay at Atapoepoe (Timor) are bombed.

[Heliopause]

Nov 14th
Armed recco by two P-40's Sqn 120 NEI out of Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Cover is given to an Army patrol discovered by Japanese troops. Two strafing runs are carried out on Otakwa village. No trace or signal of the Army patrol however.

[Heliopause]

Nov 15th

Photo recon mission by two B-25's Sqn 18 NEI over Timor island. B-25 N5-165 under command of P/O Berger returns with 0.50 cal. damage in fuselage and wings.

 

"Strafing road sweep north coast Timor" by four Beaufighters Sqn 31 RAAF.

[Heliopause]

Nov 16th
Sqn 120 NEI carries out another attack on Otakwa (and Inoega) village. Bombing and strafing is performed by four P-40's led by Lt. De Vries.

 

Rocket projectiles attack by six Beaufighters (Sqn 31 RAAF) on occupied buildings at Hatoelia (with one Beau returning due to engine failure) with 40  60lb H.E. R/P's.
"The main building being badly battered and completely gutted".

 

Dutch submarine O 19 observes an enemy coaster (Kaishin Maru No.2). It is attacked and sunk by means of the deckgun. O 19 had started her war patrol out of Fremantle on Oct 23rd.

 

O 19 had mine laying capability as can be seen in this photo (I assume taken in Scotland before she returned to the Far East).

[Heliopause]

Nov 19th
Attack on Goerita bay, Atapoepoe (Timor) by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. A dump area to the west of the bay is successfully bombed, judging by the fires and smoke a fuel supply is hit.

[Heliopause]

Nov 21st
Rocket projectiles attack on Japanese buildings at Vila Salazar by Sqn 31 RAAF. Heavy damage is inflicted. This is the last operational mission before the Squadron moves to Noemfoor, Dutch New Guinea. B-25 N5-211 under command of Lt. Blaauw participates in order to photograph the attack (reported as an attack on Baukau).

[Heliopause]

Nov 22nd
Attack on Lautum by twelve B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. The attack is followed up by eight B-25's of Sqn 2 RAAF with the object to destroy supply dumps. "Smoke and medium fires covered the target area for three quarters of its length and where still burning when the last duty left the area".

 

B-25 of Sqn 2 RAAF.  Most of these machines came from Dutch (production) orders. The first ones in late April '44.

Edited November 22, 2024 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Nov 25th
Shipping sweep north coast Flores island by Sqn 18 NEI. Four planes are scheduled for the mission out of Truscott, however one machine can't take off due to an engine defect whilst a second machine returns shortly after take-off due to hydraulic problems. An enemy ship is observed by the remaining two planes and an attack is then carried out resulting in the ship being on fire with the smoke column rising to 3000ft. Presumably an fuel carrying vessel.

[Heliopause]

Nov 26th
Sqn 31 RAAF relocates to Noemfoor, Dutch New Guinea. "Today the air lift commenced". The forward echelon moves through Merauke.

 

Armourer fuses rocket projectile on a Beaufighter, Sqn 31 RAAF.

[Heliopause]

Nov 28th
Shipping sweep by Sqn 18 NEI towards the Alor and Wetar isles. Four planes participate with a two mast lugger being attacked resulting in the vessel being set alight. During the return flight an (suspected) enemy HQ at the village of Soe (Timor) is bombed.

[Heliopause]

Nov 29th
Shipping sweep north coast Timor by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. Operating out of Truscott an enemy vessel is observed, then attacked and set alight. Sailors who are seen to jump into the water (estimate of 30-50 men) are strafed.

[Heliopause]

Dec 1st
Sqn 31 RAAF relocates to Noemfoor, Dutch New Guinea. "21 Beaufighters loaded with extra gear and each carrying four passengers depart Coomalie arriving at Noemfoor the same day".

 

Shipping sweep by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI near Solor and Alor isles. A two mast schooner is observed and attacked. Near Cape Margeta a landingcraft is strafed and sunk. Later Baucau is bombed.

[Heliopause]

Dec 2nd

 

"Enemy convoy at Macassar Strait attacked by B-24 bomber aircraft of No. 24 Squadron RAAF. Vessel is seen to receive a direct hit". 

[Heliopause]

Dec 3rd
Shipping sweep Flores by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. At Moermere-bend a two mast lugger is found and then bombed and strafed. It is left in a sinking condition. A camouflaged landingcraft is later discovered and strafed. Presumably sunk.

 

Meanwhile Sqn 321 (Dutch) RAF at China Bay, Ceylon receives the first B-24's for future maritime patrols and strike missions. The planes received need much maintenance however before these can be used for operations. Crews also need to be trained. A small number of men have gained some knowledge of the type by visiting RAF units and the Hindustan Aircraft Factory in India. They will then train the other crews on the B-24. Meanwhile the squadron keeps flying the operational missions with its PBY Catalinas.

 

The idea of equipping the squadron with B-24's originated from around early 1943. However due to Allied demands elswhere it had taken its time to be carried out.

[Heliopause]

Dec 4th
Shipping sweep by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI near Alor and Solor isles. At the south of Alor a barge is observed. It is attacked and sunk.

[Heliopause]

Dec 8th
Bombing attack out of Truscott by eight B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. At Ende enemy barracks are to be bombed. However the attack is not successful with the bombs seen to fall to the south of the target area.

 

9th Dec
A second section of four P-40's Sqn 120 NEI move to Kamiri to temporarily join Sqn 80 RAAF in order to gain combat experience.

 

10th Dec
During a shipping search Lt. Jager (Sqn 120 NEI Detachement at Sqn 80 RAAF) goes missing after an attack on a two mast schooner at Lantor island. The other pilots search for him and find his P-40 in shallow waters near Banda. He probably got hit by AA.

 

Lt. Jager seen here standing on the left. Sitting (on the left) is Maj. Maurenbrecher with (fourth from left) Capt. Simons. The latter a former Brewster Buffalo pilot.

 

Maurenbrecher had flown Hawk P-6 in the thirties and Hawk H-75 in 1940. He is seen here in 1941 in the USA carrying out acceptance flights.

[Heliopause]

Dec 14th
Shipping sweep north coast Timor by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. For this mission they operate out of Truscott. On two occasions an camouflaged landingcraft is observed, attacked and sunk.
At the same time four B-25's set out to Flores for a shipping sweep along its north coast. Enemy vessels are not found however. Barracks at Ende are then bombed (each plane carrying six 300lbs demolition).

[Heliopause]

Dec 15th
Shipping sweep north coast Soemba by four B-25's. Special focus is for the harbour at Waingapoe and the Sawoe and Roti isles. An enemy vessel is found and quickly attacked with the ship seen to be beached. One B-25 is hit by AA from the ship and has to return to Truscott straight away.

[Heliopause]

Dec 16th
Order for Sqn 18 NEI to further destroy the enemy vessel discovered and attacked yesterday. On the way over an enemy ship is discovered and set alight. After leaving the vessel it is seen to hit a reef and list to port. A second ship is attacked near Seba isle and left sunk. Yesterdays ship is then attacked with bombs and strafing.

 

Sqn 120 NEI Detachment at Kamiri based Sqn 80 RAAF returns to Merauke.

[Heliopause]

Dec 17th
Sqn 31 RAAF attacks Cape Petak out of Morotai. The squadron had moved from Coomalie, Australia initially to Noemfoor, Dutch New Guinea but shortly after arrival orders were received to continue on to Morotai.
Only two missions from Noemfoor were flown (on the 5th and 6th of december) these being search missions with PBY Catalinas for "search for missing Warhawks".
On the 9th the first mission from Morotai had been carried out, an attack mission to Jolo (at the extreme range). 14 Beaufighters carried out "strafing of concentration of troops and Stores Jetty".
10th: Manado (bombing and strafing attack on oil tanks and barges)
11th: Manado (attack on a Power House with Rocket Projectiles, along power line to Kema and Lempan straits strafing transformers, barges, etc.)
13th: Goeroea Bay (R.P. and strafing attack on barge hide out area and piers)
13th: Halmahera (Shipping sweep)
14th: Sidate (supply dumps, dispersel and aircraft areas)
16th: Panasen village (bombing and strafing attack)

[Heliopause]

Dec 19th
Shipping sweep north coast Timor by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. However B-25 N5-221 has to return after take-off due to technical difficulties. The remaining planes observe an camouflaged barge. It is strafed and set alight.

 

"1944-12-18. Air attack on a small Japanese freighter in Baa Bay, Roti island Netherlands East Indies. The leading B-25 of No. 2 Squadron RAAF

 has just dropped a stick of 4 x 500 pound bombs".

[Heliopause]

 

Picture of B-25 N5-221. It had to abort the mission today due to technical difficulties.

[Heliopause]

Dec 20th
Shipping sweep Flores by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. Part of the north coast is searched for enemy ships. Near Larantoeka a camouflaged boat is attacked and put out of use. In the harbour of Maoemere two vessels of around 300T are observed but not attacked.

Another four B-25's carry out an attack on a convoy. It is found moving on a heading of 200. Two ships are attacked at mast height with one of them (1500-2500T) quickly seen to burn and later observed to disappear below the water. The other ship (1000-1500T) is damaged and then seen to drift.

[Heliopause]

Dec 23rd
Detachment of Sqn 120 NEI locates from Merauke to Noemfoor to temporarily join Sqn 77 RAAF. It will last until January 3rd.

 

Sqn 77 RAAF at Kamiri, December 1944. Three NEI P-40's are visible. With tailcode "H" , "W" and the personal plane of Maj. Maurenbrecher (commander Sqn 120 NEI) , seen without camouflage in front of machine "W".

[Heliopause]

Dec 26th
Attack on enemy vessels reported in for Sqn 18 NEI. Four B-25's set out to find the two ships that are sailing towards Lucipara island. They are traced down and attacked with one being sunk and the other left damaged.

[Heliopause]

Dec 28th
Shipping sweep by four B-25's Sqn 18 NEI towards Roti island and Timor. No ships are found and instead coastal installations are bombed near Kalabahi on Alor island.

 

Local transport at Batchelor airfield.

[Heliopause]

Dec 29th
Attack on Timoeka strip by five P-40's Sqn 120 NEI under command of Lt. Sandberg out of Merauke. On December 20th Timoeka had already been attacked by four machines led by Maj. Maurenbrecher with fires seen to start and an enemy encampment at Japero also being strafed.

[Heliopause]

Dec 30th
Attack on Timoeka strip by four P-40's Sqn 120 NEI under command of Lt/sea Idzerda. However two of the planes turn back to Merauke due to engine troubles and the remaining two machines are unable to reach Timoeka because of the weather conditions.

 

A Beaufighter of Sqn 31 RAAF (operating out of Morotai) carries out a co-op with Corvette HMAS Cootamundra as the naval ship performs a bombardment of Galela Bay, Northern Halmahera (in company of two American Torpedo Boats).

[Heliopause]

"Pilot Fokkinga has a look on how a bomb is put in place on his P-40 at Merauke"

Edited December 31, 2024 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 1st
Attack mission towards Timor by six B-25's Sqn 18 NEI. The assigned targets (Suai, Atamboea, Labane and Maubesse) are all bombed and strafed. Each plane carries 2x500lbs incendiaries and 4x120 frags clusters.

[Heliopause]

Jan 2nd
Lt. Soesman, Sqn 120 NEI is flying on a mission with Sqn 77 RAAF out of Noemfoor. During a shipping strike his wingman P/O Lucas has to leave his P-40 by parachute after his plane gets hit by AA during strafing. Soesman keeps circling until directing a rescue PBY Catalina. Staying somewhat beyond the calculated minimum of fuel needed to get back to base, luckily he succeeds to land before running out of fuel. Tomorrow the third detachment of 120 Sqn NEI will return too Merauke.

[Heliopause]

Jan 3rd
Dutch submarine O 19 lays 40 (Vickers TIIIT) mines in shallow waters near Bawean island, the area known to be a shipping lane. 0 19 had started her war patrol out of Fremantle.

 

Crew of O 19 seen here loading a torpedo earlier in the war.

[Heliopause]

Jan 4th
Shipping sweep with four B-25's. However no ship are observed along the route (islands of Sermata, Moa, Kisar, Wetar and Kambing). Many leaflets and propaganda material are dropped over the various villages.

[Heliopause]

Jan 5th
Dutch submarine O 19 launches three torpedoes at an enemy escort vessel. However the attack proves unsuccessful with no hits registered.

 

Photo recon of Timoeka. Pilots Maurenbrecher and Geerts, Sqn 120 NEI perform the mission out of Merauke in a Lockheed 12A. 
Detachment No 4 of Sqn 120 NEI meanwhile fly out towards Noemfoor for temporary assignment to Sqn 77 RAAF. However due bad weather the four P-40's are forced back to Merauke. Tomorrow they will try again and are able to reach Noemfoor (most missions will then be flown with Sqn 80 RAAF because of preparations of a move by Sqn 77).

Edited January 5 by Heliopause

[Heliopause]

Jan 9th
Dutch submarine O 19 observes an enemy freighter (Shinko Maru #1) to the south of Borneo. Three torpedoes are launched with one hit registered. 0 19 then takes position on the bottom of the shallow sea at 20 meters depth. A depth charge attack follows with three explosions but these are far off. Less then an hour later another depth charge attack follows. This time the back of the submarine is lifted up, lights go out, a number of water leakages and a fire in the command centre start. In the battery compartment water comes in with chlorine gas forming as a result. Also the cooling machine is leaking Carbon dioxide. The crew quickly taking to the gasmasks.
After a couple of hours 0 19 surfaces but signal lamps and silhouettes of ships are seen with 0 19 quickly to submerge again. Commander Drijfhout van Hooff then decides that the engine room must be entered in order to get the diesel engines and an oil pump working again. During these works some of the men will pass out and taken out by others only to resume the task later. After successfully getting this done 0 19 surfaces again with the enemy ships then disappeared. With unbalanced engines 0 19 takes a southern heading arriving at Darwin on January 15th (after emergency repairs continuing on and arriving at Fremantle on January 21st).

[Heliopause]

Jan 12th
Strike mission on Miti air strip, Halmahera island by Sqn 80 RAAF. The detachment of Sqn 120 NEI participates (the second of two large strike missions). Tomorrow the detachment returns to Merauke.