Operation: Air Test
Date: 11th April 1944 (Tuesday)
Unit No: 322 Squadron. 85 Group (motto: 'Niet praten maar doen - 'Actions, not words')
Type: Spitfire XIV
Serial: NH700
Code: VL:B
Base: RAF Acklington, Northumberland
Location: Simonside Hills, near Tosson Farm, Rothbury, Northumberland
Pilot: Fg Off. Jacob Willem van Hamel 132085 RAFVR Age 23. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Escaped by canoe from occupied Holland with van Daalen Wetters (1) on the 20th June 1941 - picked up by HMS Eglinton off Lowestoft, Suffolk, England on the 25th June 1941.
Van Hamel and Rudi van Daalen Wetters were decorated by the Queen in London with the Bronze Cross for their daring escape.
Taking off at 15:30 hrs on a high altitude test flight.
Witnessed to dive out of cloud and into a hillside near Rothbury, Northumberland. The accident was subject to an enquiry where the cause was found to have been a possible failure in the oxygen system.
The RAF report suggests a thorough investigation of the crash. We may well assume that the conclusion of 'possible failure in the oxygen system' came about by reasoning. At the crash site, there most likely was little to investigate, and certainly not the functioning of the oxygen system. A Spitfire diving into the ground would make sure that that's quite impossible.
(1) Rudi van Daalen Wetters also served in the same squadron. Born on the 25th January 1915 in Java, Indonesia. Emigrated to the USA after the war becoming a flight instructor at Williams Air Force Base until 1953. Passed away on the 03rd October 1999.
Burial details:
Full military funeral held at 14:00 hrs on the 15th April 1944.
Fg Off. Jacob Willem Van Hamel. Chevington Cemetery. Section H. Grave 249. Born on the 4th November 1920 at 's-Gravenhage, Netherlands.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the late Rob Philips who was a meticulous researcher into Dutch aviators who were listed as killed or missing during WW 2. We were entrusted to make his work available to be read by others before he passed away in 2010. This has been presented as 'Lost' his archive and can be seen here. More about Rob, the person here.
KTY/RP 11.01.2020
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 19 January 2023, 14:10