Observer Sqn 320 (Dutch) RAF

[Heliopause]

On Januari 1st André Hissink passed away at the age of 104.
Last survivor of Sqn 320 (Dutch) RAF.

 

In 1940 he was selected for military training for officer pilot. When war broke out on May 10th he was placed in Rotterdam.
Survived the bombing by seeking shelter in the Maas tunnel. Escaped to England on a Britsch destroyer from Hoek van Holland.
He was then attached to the Dutch Navy being posted to Java, Dutch East Indies (he was born there in 1919, Batavia (Djakarta). In februari 1942 evacuated with the flight school to Australia and quickly thereafter to the USA finishing his training at the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School at Jackson, Mississipi (by this time as a navigator as there was a shortage of them).

In 1943 arrived back in Britain and was posted to Sqn 320 (Dutch) RAF. With the squadron he flew over 60 operational missions.
On the 29th of December 1944 his B-25 got hit by AA near Vielsalm, Belgium whilst on a bombing mission. He was able to take to his parachute. One crewmember was not so lucky.
After the war he moved to New Zealand followed by Canada working for Canadian Pacific Airlines and later Int. Civil Aviation Organization.

 

Hissink seen here a number of years ago at a reunion at Dunsfold in his "old office"

 

Hissink in front of an wartime photo. He is seen on the left in front of B-25 "Ouwe jongens" (old boys).