Operation: Training

Date: 13th June 1942 (Saturday)

Unit No: 118 Squadron (motto: Occido redeoque - 'I kill and return')

Type: Spitfire VB

Serial: R7334 *

Code: NK:?

Base: RAF Ibsley, Hampshire

Location: Alderholt Park South West of Fordingbridge

Pilot: 2nd Lt. Dirk Jacobus Klink RNNAS Age 30. Killed

* The Spitfire was presented by H.J. Heinz Co. and originally named 'Perfect'. Later renamed ‘Hominis Vis’. Donated by the Hovis Company. Note: The Latin translation of the name Hovis = ‘Hominis’ which means the ‘Strength of Man.

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the day in question 2nd Lt. Klink, who was on detachment Royal Netherlands Navy Air Service, appeared to loose control whilst in cloud. After emerging at 1,000 ft the aircraft dived in almost on the vertical killing the pilot. This was his 30th birthday.

Earlier on the 27th April 1942 whilst 2nd Lt. Klink at 58 Operational Training Unit (OTU) as an instructor flying the presentation Spitfire IIA P7683 'Londonderry' it burst a tyre on landing. The aircraft swung off the runway and ran into ploughed earth and tipped onto its nose suffering Cat A damage. 2nd Lt. Klink was uninjured.

On the 19th August 1943 P7683 was written off after a mId-air collision with Spitfire P8387 both whilst with 58 OTU. Crashed near Hammering Mere Farm, Fife, Scotland, both pilots surviving. The Spitfire was one of fifteen (15) fighters funded by people of Northern Ireland who contributed to the Belfast Telegraph Spitfire Fund.

Above the Course of 17-1 and 58 Operational Training Unit (OTU) Grangemouth in Scotland.

Front row: Sgt. Hardy, Fg Off. Bronisław Kuzniar P-0759 (died 21st July 1997), Plt Off. Zygmunt Jelinski P-1644 / 782004 (died 18th February 2006), Plt Off. Gordon Francis Joseph Hoben J15077 (KiA 11th September 1942), Sqn Ldr. Geoffrey Cochane Hyde 37403 (KiA19th August 1942), Fg Off. Tigler-Wybrandi, Fg Off. Dirk Jacobus Klink, Fg Off. Witold Domanski, P-0741 (KiA 6th May 1942) Sgt. Sayers.

Rear row: Sgt. Holbert, Sgt. Wood, Sgt. Józef Paweł Karczmarz P-2066 / 780874 (died 2001), Sgt. Arkadiusz Bondarczuk 793159 (KiA 27th March 1943), Sgt. Stanisław Eustachy Lucyszyn 783213 (died 27th May 2009), Sgt. Bonie, Sgt. Thompson, Sgt. Mildeau, Sgt. Evans.

Burial details:

Originally buried at Ellingham Churchiest Cemetery Fordingbridge - reinterred later at Mill Hill Cemetery.

2nd Lt. Dirk Jacobus Klink. Mill Hill Cemetery, London. Plot 2 Row K Grave 8. Born on the 13th June 1912 at s'-Gravenhage, Netherlands, the son of Dirk Jacobus Klink and Maria Celine Louise zur Haar.

Any relative who would like a copy of the grave photo or this archive report we would be happy to send it free of charge - donations are welcome of course.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the late Rob Philips for his great research (Dec 2019). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Jan 2026)

Other sources listed below:

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