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:

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.

J.W. van Hamel and R.F. van Daalen Wetters had since February 1941 been planning on leaving the Netherlands and crossing to England. They bought a collapsible canoe and practised in an attic on how to assemble the canoe quickly. They also bought an outboard motor. They waited for good weather and a time when there was no moon.

J.W. Van Hamel was a Corporal at the School of Reserve Officers in the Broeden Artillerie and a student civil engineer in Delft.

R.F. van Daalen Wetters was a Junior officer in the Motor Service. He was born on the 25th January 1915 in Java, Indonesia. He was in training to become a professional officer whilst living in The Hague.

On the eve of the 20th June, the weather seemed favourable. They took the canoe to Katwijk's Z' Boulevard by bicycle. However, departure was postponed for the day. The canoe was stored in a pine grove in the dunes near Katwijk. On the 21st June in the evening, they assembled the canoe. At 02.30 hrs helped by two friends they put the canoe into the sea.

Van Hamel and Rudi van Daalen Wetters were decorated by the Queen in London with the Bronze Cross for their daring escape.

First they paddled, then set sail. The wind was very favourable from an easterly direction. After an hour of sailing, they tried to start the engine. However, this did not work, as it was full of sand. They discarded the engine and the 25 litres of petrol they were carrying and continued to use the sail.

On the first day, they only saw an aircraft, which flew for a relatively long time. They then crawled under the tarpaulin, which was painted in camouflage colour blue). In the distance, they later saw a German convoy. Then they had 2 days of calm weather and no wind but had more than enough food and water on board.

About 20 miles from Lowestoft, Suffolk, England they were picked up by HMS Eglinton. They were both in uniform and carried 3 pistols.

Rudi van Daalen Wetters also served in the same squadron. After the war he emigrated to the USA after the war becoming a flight instructor at Williams Air Force Base until 1953. Passed away on the 3rd 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 by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) 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 WW2. (Jan 2020). 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. Thanks to Pepijn Lucker for the interrogation reports from which their escape from Holland has been extracted (Nov 2024).

Other sources listed below:

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