Archive Report: Allied Forces

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10.05.1940 No. 600 Squadron Blenheim IF L1514 BQ-N P/O. Haine

Operation: Airfield attack - Waalhaven, Holland

Date: 10th May 1940 (Friday)

Unit: No. 600 Squadron

Type: Blenheim IF

Serial: L1514

Code: BQ-N

Base: RAF Manston

Location: Goeree-Overflakee, Holland

Pilot: P/O. Richard Cummings Haine 43147 RAF Age 25. Evaded capture

Navigator: P/O. Marcus Kramer 77345 RAF Age 28. Evaded capture

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 12:30 hrs. to attack German aircraft on the ground - a costly decision was made to not use bomber in order to avoid Dutch casualties and to use the Blenheim's. Resulting in 5 aircraft being shot down during the raid and and another just making it back to the base after serious damage.

They were strafing Ju52s when they were set upon by Me 110s and they were simply outclassed. Having set one of the enemy transports on fire, Haine pulled away from the target. As he did so he was attacked by a wave of German fighters. His gunner managed to shoot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109, but with one of his two engines on fire Haine was forced to crash-land on a mudflat and make his escape.

Haine and his gunner made contact with the Dutch Army and two days later arrived at The Hague, where the British air attache assisted them. Shortly after they had boarded the destroyer 'Hereward', Queen Wilhelmina and her party arrived and the ship sailed for Harwich.

Of the 5 aircraft lost 7 Crew members were killed and another made Prisoner of War

For their actions both crew members received the DFC.

DFC Citation London Gazette 9th July 1940):

"Pilot Officers Kramer and Haines were air gunner and pilot in one of six aircraft attacking Rotterdam aerodrome on 10th May, 1940. Immediately after attacking aircraft on the ground, they were themselves attacked by six enemy fighters. The rear gun turret operating mechanism had been put out of action and the gun itself jammed but, in a most calm manner, Pilot Officer Kramer directed his pilot how best to evade the attacks of the enemy fighters and at the same time dismantled and repaired his gun. As the last enemy aircraft attacked, this officer had his gun working and succeeded in driving the enemy off. By the great coolness of Pilot Officer Kramer and the accurate information he gave, Pilot Officer Haine with great skill succeeded in bringing his badly damaged aircraft to a position where he was able to make a forced landing in friendly territory".

P/O. Dickie Haine survived the war becoming a Group Captain and died in 2008. A summary of his career and life can be found in our Obituaries pages. Sadly P/O. Marcus Kramer was missing believed killed the following year. Flying with 10 Group Communications Flight on Tiger Moth N6853, further details can be found within this loss page.

Burial Details:

None - both survived - evading capture.

Later:

P/O. Marcus Kramer. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 29. Son of Emanuel and Rosie Kramer, of 3, Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England.

Aircraft serial number corrected with thanks to Michel Beckers - October 2016. Also thanks to the following sources:

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