Acknowledgements

The research for, and the writing of this book has been supported wholeheartedly by the people mentioned below, with whom many thousands of emails end letters were exchanged. Author is most indebted to all of them. Almost all are private individuals.

Research for and writing of this study has been done without external financial support of any kind. Indeed even the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds reported that this research does not comply with the objectives of the Fund.

Source: Dr. A. Esmeijer, director of PBC Fund, letter dated 25/4/2005

ZKH Prins Bernhard erected this Fund in Wartime London, to obtain equipment for Dutchmen serving with UK forces. Amongst many other things, the Fund provided for about a hundred Spitfires. The Prins saw to it that the Fund remained outside of any Government control. This author has received a lot of non-cooperation from official and semi-official parties. This author believes to understand why the Prins did not want any Government control over this part of his efforts. Meanwhile we know that the Prins took the subject matter of this book very much to heart. That closes the circle. By the nature of things, powers being as they are, this book had to be written outside of any official or semi-official influence.

Or assistance. The Instituut voor Maritieme Historie (IMH) holds an enormous amount of material about the Squadrons 320 and 321. Assistance and cooperation received from IMH has been virtually zero. Requests for data were usually ignored. If not, then these requests did not often meet with a positive response. Any responses were in the 'cannot' and 'will not' categories. In the single case that information was received, this information proved to be in error. Very unimpressive. Some IMH employees may be suffering from the misconception that IMH data is a private possession. As obtaining information from IMH has been tried repeatedly, and had been frustrated repeatedly, author can only be blunt in statements about this.

By contrast, the assistance and cooperation received from the Sectie Luchtmachthistorie (SLH, Dutch Air Historical Branch), has been maximal. Author believes that this is due solely to the intelligence and energy of Drs P.E. (Erwin) van Loo of SLH, who, as this author, believes in sharing information, to the benefit of everybody involved. Author has enjoyed virtually unlimited access to SLH data. In return, author has had the privilege to enrich the SLH database with about a thousand photographs and documents. So that others, at later times, may be able to find a few things too. Without the dedication and assistance of Erwin van Loo, this study would not nearly have become what it has become now. Thanks, Erwin, first class job, and much appreciated.

In the summer of 2005, SLH & IMH were merged into the Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie, at the Alexanderkazerne in The Hague.

1. Australia

Koelman, Louk; Mandala, Queensland Thanks, Louk, for sharing intimate knowledge of the Groenoord, where Govert Steen was born, when you lived there with Steen's mother and father shortly after the War.

Steen († 2007), Kees; Brisbane, Queensland Thanks to you too, Kees. May you enjoy the Groenoord document, and its chapters about the house and about your brother Govert.

Pronk, Henk; Sidney

2. Belgium

Campbell, Harold; Zaventem Thanks, Harold, for information about RAF Melsbroek/Zaventem, that would be unavailable without you.

Decker, Cynrik De; Erembodegem Thanks, Cynrik, for the bits of your vast knowledge about aircraft archaeology in Belgium.

Dewever, Pieter; Tienen Thanks, Pieter, for mounting a call for Tienen crash eyewitnesses with efficiency and enthousiasm.

Goenen, Mathias, Merscheid Thank you, Mathias, for Manderfeld documents that helped to understand these crashes better.

Heinsius, Mathias, Manderfeld Thank you, Mathias, for your remembrance of events that took place 60 years ago. It was essential to understanding some of these events.

Lettens, Jan Thanks Jan, for inaugurating the ignorant to some of the intricacies of North Sea diving.

Mayer, Siegfried, Manderfeld Thank you, Siegfried, for pointing me into the right directions.

Mertens, Clément; Liedekerke Thanks, Clément, for all material you collected about your brother, and all exchanges between us.

Roumieux, Conrad

Vervoort, Luc; Halle-Zoersel

Verstraeten, Hubert

3. Canada

Hissink, André; Ottawa Mr. André Hissink has been, after Mr. Jan Kloos, the second major source of eyewitness data. He cannot be thanked enough for his detailed and deliberate observations of some of the events of sixty years ago.

Reeves, Dick; Toronto, Ontario Thanks, Dick, for your memories about P/O. Steen and one-two-nine Squadron.

Sherk, Prof. Raymond; Willowdale, Ontario Thanks, Ray, for thoughtful data, great 129 Sqn photographs, and warmly felt email exchanges. May Heather & you continue to come to Holland for anniversaries of the Liberation. I shall, as usual, bring you where you want to go, and I hope to see you soon in Canada. May your floatplane fly forever.

Ray Sherk, who was inspired by Govert Steen to fly floatplanes, and who never stopped doing so, revisited Teuge Airport on 8/5/2005, sixty years after he landed his Spitfire on Teuge. At the right Coert Munk, director of Teuge Airport. Teuge 050508

Steen, Hans C.; Vancouver Thanks, Hans, you have been, together with Louk, one of the major sources for the Groenoord saga. May the flow of happy pics of grandchildren never stop.

Waterman, Dick; Toronto, Ontario Thanks, Dick, for your memories and clear-cut statements that helped to unravel dramatic events on Archmer Airfield in Germany at the very end of the War.

4. Denmark

Buch, Finn; Kirkeby Thanks, Finn, for useful exchanges about unknown airmen buried in Denmark.

5. France

Archambault, Claude; Paris

Babin, Pierre; Bécon-les-Granits, Maine-et-Loire

Bailleul, Laurent; Bailleul, Nord

Barot, Sylvie, Archives municipales du Havre; Le Havre, Seine-Maritime

Branthonne, Michel; Tréauville, Manche

Cadic, François; Douarnenez, Finistère

Capelle, Denise, La Boffetière, Calvados

Castellano, Philippe

Chevalier, Hugues; Herbelles

Chesnot, Bernard; Fontaine-la-Louvet, Calvados

Dahiot, Daniel; administrator of the Association Bretonne de Souvenir Aérien, Bais, Île-et-Vilaine

Thanks, Dan, for help with several Brittany crashes.

Dubosq, Jean-Paul; Le Havre, Seine-Maritime

Dufay, Jeanne; Thiberville, Calvados

Espaldet, Pierre et Mme Espaldet; Maire de St. Aubin-de-Scellon, Eure

Fleuri, Claude; Caneweele, Nord

Hébert, Pierre; Tréauville, Manche

Helias, Claude; Plomelin, Finistère

Hoock, Cédric

Huard, Joël; Serquigny, Eure

Lafosse, Jean-François

Leclercq, Jocelyn; Aubers, Nord

Thanks, Joss, for hospitality and many useful exchanges

Lesage, François; Bailleul, Nord

Macé, Jean-Charles

Mailly, David; Le Havre, Seine-Maritime

Morcamp-Evenou, Ghislaine; Octeville-sur-Mer, Seine-Maritime

Morin, Michel; Octeville-sur-Mer, Seine-Maritime

Renaud, Michel

Simon, Mickaël; Flamanville, Manche Mickaël has been the major source by far for information about crashes in his area. He has done extensive research in local archives, and he has shared data in over a hundred emails, all 'in the duty of memory'. If this world had more Mickaëls, then it would be a much better place.

Viton, Laurent

6. Germany

Hermerling, Manfred; Hasbergen, Osnabrück

Ilsemann, Steve; Neustadt am Rübenberge, Lower Saxonia

Potratz, Rainer; Berlin-Brandenburgische Geschichtswerkstatt e.V.

Rüdorffer, Erich; Bad Swartau

Salomon, Frank; Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V., Kassel

Scholze, Ingeborg; Gemeinde Dallgow-Döberitz

7. Great Britain

Aspin, Steve; Bovingdon, Hertfordshire Thanks, Steve, for interesting conversations about flying aircraft, and for help with the Hatfield field research.

Allenby, Richard

Baldwin, Margareth (Magpie); Horsham, Sussex

Barnard, Sylvia M.; Thanks, Sylvia, with information provided about your uncle S/Ldr. Gowers. We share the belief that the men missing should be brought home, if at all possible.

Blake, Tony; Horsham, Sussex

Buchan, Thomas; Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

Carless, Jeff

Chester, Laurie; Biggin Hill, Kent

Collier, John; Retford, Nottinghamshire

Corbett, Jim

Druce, Linzee

Graham, Revd. Peter; Buckland Newton, Dorset Thanks, Peter, for your memories and careful formulation of these regarding 'Charlie' van Goens. The chapter about him could not possibly have become as it is without your help.

Peter Graham died 12-10-2009.

Haddrell, Trevor; Kent Thanks, Trevor, for valuable help in unravelling the story of the Dover Gun Belt.

Iveson, Jon; Curator Dover Museum, Dover, Kent

Legross, Russell; Jarrow, Tyne

Russel Legross paying his respects to his uncle's grave, on the date of his death, March 21. Russ 060321 Reichswald

Parry, Dave, Imperial War Museum Photo Archive; London

Pile, George; Richmont, N. Yorkshire

RAF Air Historical Branch, Sebastian Cox, Susan Dickinson, Stanmore, Middlesex

RAF Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, Innsworth Station, Glouchester

RAF Personnel Management Agency, Innsworth Station, Glouchester

Riding, Ronald H., Anlaby, Yorkshire

Scourfield, Karen; Carew Cheriton, Pembrokeshire

Stewart, Barry; Dover, Kent

Thomas, Nicholas; Stafford, Staffordshire

Young, Mervyn; Woking, Surrey

Youngs, Kelvin Director Aircrew Remembered who provided consistent support and encouragement.

8. Ireland, including Northern Ireland

Linzel, Jan, VK; Glengarriff

Cromie, Ernie; Hillsborough, County Down

Gaston, Samuel; Teeshan, Antrim

McCarroll († 2007), James; Lougmagarry, Antrim

McFarland, Gary;

Wilson, Marbeth; Cullybackey, Antrim

9. Italy

Plesman, Albert; Rome Thanks, Albert & Tita, for occasional hospitality in Holland, and most of all for sharing the spirit required to get back the remains of your brother. May your proze be widely published and receive the recognition deserved.

10. Netherlands

Alphen, Jos van; Dorst Thanks, Jos, for being a first class help with getting the names right of Polish aviators who were killed together with Dutch RAF aviators. It was my pleasure to have contributed a bit to your hunt for data & pics of graves of Polish service casualties of WW2.

Jos van Alphen 080125

Bánki-Brogtrop, Hanne; Soest Thank you for sharing valuable material about your father.

Breedijk, Dick; Balkbrug Dick's vast knowledge and database were extremely helpful for making sense of several crashes in Holland. His engagement and willingness to help have been formidable.

Bruijn Kops, J.W. (Pim) de († 04/02/2008); Breukelen Thank you for sharing a few valuable thoughts.

Bijvoet, Paul; Leiden

Claassen, André André did not want to speak himself, but valuable information was conveyed via his son. Author is grateful for that.

Coers, Bert († 2003) en Anneke, Gorinchem Thank you, Bert & Anneke, for sharing memories of Govert Steen.

Daams, Michiel; Valthe Thanks, Michiel, for insight in some of the intricacies of close formation flying.

Diepenhorst, Arie; Apeldoorn Thanks, Arie, for the material you collected on your friend Jan Peetoom.

Dijksman, Rob Thanks, Rob, for valuable information about Willem Kuijpers.

Emmens, Geert; Vledder Thank you for sharing a few valuable memories and photographs.

Gaalen, Theo van

Gerdessen, Frits; Gorinchem

Graas, Johan; Heemskerk Chairman of the Stichting Aircraft Recovery Group Foundation. Born in 1954, Johan Graas became involved in WW2 aircraft archaeology at an early age. His efforts were transformed into a foundation, that has a most remarkable track record. Results are on display in 'Fort Veldhuis', Genieweg 1, Heemskerk, NL, and in the 'Kruitkamer' belonging to this fortress, Zeedijk, Heemskerk. Access on Sunday's in summer only.

Grisnigt, R.A. (Bram), BL, KvV; Hoogerheide

Heerze, Jan; Apeldoorn Thanks, Jan, for the cooperation that produced the brochure 'Steen' published as a special edition of the magazine of the Vrienden van Oud Apeldoorn society.

Hummel, Ben; Groningen

Janssen, Dr J.A.M.M., director Militaire Luchtvaart Museum, Soesterberg

Jong, Marc de; 320 Squadron Vereniging

Kiel, Guus, VK; Apeldoorn Thank you for helping identifying persons on old photographs. May your paintings give you the pleasure that is richly deserved.

Kloosterboer, Henk; Apeldoorn Thanks, Henk, for finding valuable scraps of information in Apeldoorn archives.

Kruithof, W.J.; Deventer Thank you for valuable information about and photographs of your Teuge friend Rijklof van Goens.

Lambij, Rob; Rijswijk

Loo, drs P.E. (Erwin) van; Sectie Luchtmachthistorie, 's-Gravenhage Thanks, Erwin, for the multitude of highly productive data exchanges. Your insight into how research into the history of Dutch military aviation can be pushed forward, is shared by few. You stand out most favourably as clearly more intelligent than many. May you be given the time to produce more great works of history on the subject.

Meijer, Hennie G.; Venray Thanks, Henny, for most knowledgeable information about Dutch decorations.

Moeskops, Rob; Tilburg Thanks, Rob, for freely sharing the results of your research, that has taken you all over Europe. You have been one of my inspirators. May your work find its way into the public domain.

Munk, Coert; Ugchelen Thanks, Coert, your mostly Mitchell-centered network is the largest one by far, and this has been very productive on many occasions. May you enjoy more flights with Mitchell SQ320. Aplustard.

Netto, Steve, Commodore-vlieger b.d. KLu; Huis ter Heide

Steve Netto, skipper on his sailing vessel 'Catch', IJsselmeer, August 13th, 2007. We have the dominant sky, and in it small, but not lost, the person looking concentrated over kilometers. We have the flag. We have a dynamic oblique perspective. After the - usually - horizontal wings came the vertical ones. The sky and the flag remained. Netto Steve 070813-2

Ottes, Jan E.; Doorwerth Thank you, Jan, for sharing the modest amount of information left about your brother. Without this, we would have none.

Ouwerling, Rob; Breda Thank you, Rob, for an inspiring chain of exchanges about A.M. Heijblom. I showed you ways of investigation, and you showed me your results. May your work lead to a publication.

Petersen, Kapt Ing Paul; BID, Hoogerheide

Recourt, Robbert; Utrecht

Reukers, Michel; Doorn Thank you, Michel, for showing me the marks in the terrain, that were essential for making sense of the crash of Cornelis Kooij.

Righart van Gelder, Patrick; Leiden

Ruijter, W.S.A. de, CAD-MvD, Rijswijk Thank you for sterling service provided.

Rijnhout, Bart; Den Haag Thanks, Bart, for unique pictures of the wreck of Govert Steen's Fokker on Scheveningen beach in May 1940.

Sipkes, Marcel & Jeske; Berkel-Enschot Thanks, Jeske & Marcel, for photographs and all work involved in the transcription of 'Sip's' war diary.

Spierings, Hans, kapitein; BID, Hoogerheide

Staal, Prudent; Oegstgeest

Thanks, Prudent, for several valuable photographs.

Steen, Gustaaf Govert; Valthe

Steen, Willem Jan; Zetten Thanks, Willem Jan & Erna, for entrusting me with the carton boxes from the attic, containing the Steen archive. And for the multitude of emails, exchanged in the process of getting it right. Thanks to you too, Govert Steen could get the most comprehensive biography of the Dutch WW2 military aviators ever written. As he richly deserves.

Steensma († 2006), Carel C., BL; Haren Thanks, Carel, for memories shared about Boy Ruys de Perez. I would like to have arranged a meeting with Guus Kiel and you, to talk more about Boy, but I never received the basis for that, promised at the time, by the Ruys de Perez family archive in Canada. Too bad.

Carel Steensma died 4/5/2006 at the age of 93.

Teeuwisse, Johan J.; Hoofd Archief Oorlogsgravenstichting, 's-Gravenhage Thank you Johan, for being patient with and responsive to the guy that repeatedly came up with nasty questions and irritating multi-page 'I-know-better' statements. This patience and effort has helped materially to improve the data in the OGS Casualty Register, as far as the lost Dutch RAF aviators are concerned. I like to believe that that's a mutual goal, never mind the fact that they form only a tiny fraction of the OGS Casualty Register. Keep up the good work.

Tornij, Gerben J.; Amersfoort Thanks, Gerben, your statements were very considered and always helpful.

Tutein Nolthenius, Karel; Baarn

Venema, Rob; Baarn Rob is probably the most accomplished private collector of Dutch WW2 aviation material. His collection is open to the public, after an appointment. We have shared information on a large scale, and very many of the photographs in this document were sourced by him. We share the excitement of the hunt, for artifacts in his case, and for data in mine. Keep up the good work, and please make sure that your priceless collection shall remain accessible to the public, also in the very far future.

Rob Venema (left), 05/07/2005, receiving the FR146 prop pitch mechanism for exhibition in the collection of the Stichting Militair Vliegend Personeel 1939-1950 in Baarn, Holland. Rob Venema has been a major contributor of data and photographs. Catalonian Shepherd dog Kylou, author's unseparable companion, enjoyed the long walks in and around the many hundred sites of interest in the Dorset, UK to Bergen, Norway area. Rob V en Rob Ph 050705b.jpg

Vis, Rob; Almere Thanks, Rob, for valuable information on the subject of Dutch RAF aviator wings and decorations.

Wassink, Roy P.; Deventer Thanks, Roy, for loads of material found regarding the Teuge airfield early history. May your book on the subject be received well.

Welting, Henk; Zelhem Thanks, Henk. You have been so very helpful in providing information, and in pointing to errors and typos in this document. You did not plan to publish the vast amount of data that is present in your files. I hope that you shall have the satisfaction of seeing some of it used to good effect here.

Wijnen, Adri; Ede Thanks, Adri, for help with Englandspiel matters

Woortman, Jaap; Nuenen

Zwanenburg, Gerrit Jan; Baarn Thanks for sharing valuable thoughts on the subject of aircraft recovery. You are without any doubt the one with the most experience in The Netherlands.

11. New Zealand

Martyn, Errol; Thanks, Errol, for useful data exchanges.

Stewart, Phil; Christchurch Thanks, Phil, the flying a Spitfire through a tree-story is priceless.

Strombom, Simon; Thanks, Simon, for all help given for the identity claim of the grave in Cherbourg, claimed to be the grave of F/O. G.E. Rawson

12. Norway

Aukan, Nils; Kristiansund

Larsson, Knut

Moe, Morten

Sørdalen, Thomas

Sørensen, Kjell

13. Poland

Grabowski, Franek

14. South Africa

Holtrop, Paul; Cape Town Thanks, Paul, for all material about your father. May his log book, that I could present in return, be a cherished item for you.

15. Tjechoslowakia

Vancata, Pavel Thanks, Pavel, for helping with a loss list of Czech RAF aviators.

16. Switzerland Brew, Steve; Bern – moved to London early 2006 Thanks, Steve, for several most interesting exchanges on the subjects of writing & more. We are two of a kind. Hope you are succesful in transforming your vast 41 Squadron data into a book.

Kloos, Jan P., VK; Perly, Geneva Mr. Jan Piet Kloos has been the major source by far when it comes to 320 Squadron Bomber Command matters. Born in Soerabaja, where his father was managing director of a sugar factory, he spend the first five years of his life on Java, NEI. After that, the family retired to Europe. Father Kloos decided that Holland was too narrow-minded, and that Switzerland offered good schooling. So La Suisse became and remained Jan's real fatherland. Although he is Dutch, and greeted author on the first meeting with the very Dutch word of all, he has spend little of his lifetime in Holland. His usual language is French, used in Perly, Switzerland, and with his Italian wife Naida. But Dutch, English, German, Italian, bits of the Scandinavian languages, and Malaian, are in the bag too.

In the winter of 1941-42, he travelled from Switzerland via occupied France to Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar, and then by ship to the UK, where he arrived in March 1942. He qualifies as an Engelandvaarder under the Dessing definition. This status was confirmed by Mr R.A. Grisnigt of the Stichting Genootschap Engelandvaarders on 11/3/2006, thereby resolving an issue that had never become transparent to Jan Kloos earlier.

In England, his wish to join the Airforce was fulfilled. After flying and navigator training in England and Canada, as navigators were needed at the time, he flew 69 ops, all with Mitchells. Navigators acted as 2^nd pilots, so he flew many hours at the controls of a Mitchell. He had one very narrow escape, when Flak shell fragments came in right next to him, punching a hole in the aircraft with the size of a fist. The fragments ended flight between parachute and his back, miraculously leading to only minor injuries. By Royal Order Nr. 10 of 12/10/1944 he was granted the Flying Cross for his services with 320 Squadron. Now, in 2006, he looks back on the entire episode as if it was unreal, as a dream: 'the stupidity of man is unbelievable".

Mr. Kloos has used his Leica IIIa camera a lot in Wartime, mostly under circumstances where it was very illegal to take pictures. He has an iron memory, and an extremely vivid mind. During the exchange of hundreds of emails, on an almost daily basis, he has become a dear friend as well as a reliable reference for sorting out the nonsense in stories delivered via literature or otherwise.

J.P. Kloos

He has presented the families of 320 Sqn members with his '320 Squadron R.A.F. Memorial 1940-145', a private publication in the spring of 1987, in a scrap book form that presents original sources of data, including hundreds of photographs. Definitely not the ego-document that has been produced by others. Author considers this to be the most important work of reference by far on the Wartime history of 320 Squadron. The book is quite remarkable, it is in a class of its own. To mention one thing: Dutch is not Mr. Kloos' native language. But writing it in French or English would make it inaccessible to many of those for whom it is intended. It may not be a fully detailed 320 Squadron history, but that was not the target when composing this work. The book was written with the modest aim to give the families at least something about their relatives whom were placed in this turbulent and highly lethal period. But Jan Kloos has given far more than just that. A summary of the day-to-day 320 Coastal as well as Bomber Command Squadron Operations Record Book, and many Wartime newspaper clippings, are included too.

The book was privately produced, in a volume of 300 copies. A second, slightly enhanced edition appeared in spring 1992, again 300 copies. This is the 'light blue version', as compared to the dark blue cover of the first one.

The book has long been sold out, and is almost impossible to get in the antiquarian sphere. Author believes that a re-edition is warranted, using better paper to bring out the multitude of unique photographs better. Author has given Jan Kloos this suggestion a few times, but without result so far. He is just too busy with exciting new things.

As Jan Kloos joined 320 squadron in 1944, he did not have pictures of the earlier period made by himself. With an eye on 'Memorial', he reproduced photos found amongst collegues. The entire photonegative collection was given in 2007 to the Stichting Militair Vliegend Personeel 1939-1950. This collection was digitized and catalogized by author. Thanks to the work of Jan Kloos, we are able to present aviator portraits that are not present in the collections of the NIMH or the BRIOP. Most were published earlier in Kloos' 'Memorial'. The Leica of Jan Kloos has been decommisioned a few years ago, and replaced by a Nikon Coolpix digital camera. This Leica, being a historical artifact, really ought to be acquired by a museum such as the Military Aviation Museum in Soesterberg. Author mediated here, and the MLM was seriously interested. In the end, the Leica went to the Stichting Militair Vliegend Personeel 1939-1950 in Baarn, where most of Kloos' remaining Wartime artifacts are held.

Regarding the Dutch military flying in WW2, during dinner on 26/9/2006 in his favourite Indonesian restaurant in Kortenhoef, NL, he wished to make two points. Matters that are hardly ever mentioned, but that were deeply felt by the aviators at the time.

First of all the hierarchy of ranks was extremely strict, and especially in the Navy, to which 320 Squadron belonged. Pilots, navigators, and airgunners all lived in their own atmosphere, that hardly mingled with the others. In his view a deplorable & pityful situation. He himself has remained in touch with his crew members for as long as they could be reached. Clearly the more civilised attitude, in which the value of the individual is not reduced to the shape of the signs on his uniform.

Secondly, the Dutch Government in exile had too little concern for its servicemen. A point that has been forwarded by many others too. This was visible for instance in the fact that airgunners remained mere corporals, leading to less pay, and most of all leading to the risk of inferior treatment by the enemy, if captured. The British promoted their airgunners to the rank of Sergeant, making them officers, that were to receive officer treatment if taken POW. As it turned out, all Dutch RAF aviators taken POW survived the War, but this was not a result of any careful thinking of their highest superiors.

Kloos is currently involved in making a DVD about USAF exploits and occurrences over Switzerland during WW2. In his words: 'the USAF guys are a special breed!'. Jan Kloos is online, and fluid with all of the latest technology for communication, and for text- and image processing. He is a rare breed indeed. Most of his Wartime collegues, who survived the War, have passed away, or are suffering the illnesses that come with old age. Jan however seems to be almost indestructable.

In the summer of 2006 Jan was invited to board on a flight with a Mitchell B-25 purchased and restored by a Swiss group. Author suggested to Jan that this occasion could become the introduction to a Dutch TV documentary about 320 Squadron. But he would not have it: 'I'm too ugly now...'

In September 2006 he, and wife Naida, visited Holland once more. The idea was to meet, amongst others, old comrades: André Hissink and Dick Waterman from Canada, 'Beuk' Beukhof, Pim de Bruijn Kops, and Geert Emmens from The Netherlands. As it turned out, only Beukhof could come, still driving his own car. All others felt physically unable to travel. Prior to the visit he hinted that this may well have been the last time. 'La réunion, c'est moi...'

His RAF shawl printed with a map of Europe, carried on ops and intended to help evasive action when down in occupied territory, was kindly given to author. It now decorates author's home work desk, see the picture below.

Werkplek 060520

On seeing this pic, he remarked 'Quelle intimité! When I'm gone my handkerchief shall still be there!' And so it shall be.

Thanks, Jan, you have the energy, and may you also have the time to complete all projects that you are still so heavily engaged in.

J.P. Kloos, age 86, with Nikon Coolpix, & author, age 54, on a trip to Marken Island, NL. Kloos JP 060927-5

These Emails remained in Rob's Pending tray when he passed away:

Je maakt me blozen met die beschrijving van mij ! Denk je heusch wat je geschreven hebt ? Gut dat had ik nooit van

me gedacht, Betr. WW2 dacht ik gewoon mijn plicht gedaan te hebben punt.
Dat ik een journalistische neiging heb
in andere woorden een nieuwsgierige pisang, dat kwam van mijn interesse
voor de vliegerij, altijd gehad: toen ik een
jongetje was kreeg ik van iedereen boeken voor mijn verjaardagen en
zodanig kreeg boeken over de KLM, over
de levensloop van Anthony Fokker, enz... Op deze manier leerde ik zelf
de hollandse taal, schriftelijk. Later in dienst
kreeg ik de betere uitdrukkingen te horen; mijn vader had een erg
stricte opvoeding gehad en werd ingenieur en
later adminstrateur van een zuikerfabriek in NOI. Hij sprak en schreef
heel mooi Nederlands, misschien georven van
Willem Kloos de dichter die een neef van hem was.... Zijn broer Louis
schreef ook gedichten en kleine verhalen.
De zoon van deze was Jan Piet en een beroemde architect die niet lang
geleden gestorven is. Andere broer was Max
bekende baryton zinger die ieder jaar opgeroept werd om de Mathhaeus
Passie van J.S. Bach te zingen in de oudste
kerk in NL samen met andere bekende srtisten. Mijn vader eischte dan
stilte in ons huis want hij luisterde naar zijn
broer op de internationale kortegofl zenders; ik heb het hier van voor
WW2 ! Als je weet dat mijn Pa J.S. Bach niet
kon uitstaan en geen bal begreep van muziek was het altijd voor ons een
reuze pret, die dag. Voor onze jongste
jongen (48 !) die van muziek houdt heb ik CD's kunnen vinden die
overgebracht waren van vinyl platen van die Oom
Max. Hij woonde in Hilversum. Zo krijg je een kijkje op onze familie. Oh
ja zeg Rob wat is dat briefje die boven op
de zakdoek te zien is ? Groet -jan-

Hart. bedankt voor je info re-boek; ik ga er over piekeren en misschien
in je voorstel trappen en je 'n paar bladzijden
sturen. Het gaat niet over een BOEK die uitgegeven moet worden. nee,
gewoon mijn herrinneringen of 'memoires' maar
dat vind ik té pompeus. En ik wil het opzetten zoals een boek met
'inserted' pix om het nog mooier te maken; ik heb
vrijveel fotos in die tijd gemaakt Rob, ook van 'vriendinnen', afijn je
begrijpt wel gezien de dokumenten die ik bewaard
heb ook plaats in-nemen: ik heb bv nog de vergunning (in opleiding) om
naar de tandarts te gaan ! Re NOI, ja hoor onze
hele familie stamt van dat land, allen van de klapperboom ! Mijn opa was
hoofd geneesheer van Batavia ! Naida en ik zijn
'n paar jaren geleden naar Bali gegaan (vakantie) en vandaar even
overgevlogen naar Soerabaia (mijn geboorteplaats) en
werden afgehaald en naar Kediri gereden waar de suikerfabriek van Pa
was. Ik heb dus kunnen zien hoe het nu er uitziet
en gemerkt dat het een staatsfabriek geworden is met een ambtenaar aan
het hoofd en een fabriek die er erg vies en
slecht uitziet ! Deze baas vertelde mij toen ik de fluit van een
stoom-machine hoorde dat het nog altijd de locomotief die
mijn vader in 1895 kocht ! Wat een toestand adoe! Ik nam een foto van de
brug over de rivier, brug die mijn vader
had laten maken destijds want er waren nog riet-velden aan de overkant.
Ik heb thuis een grote schilderij die aan mijn
vader aangeboden werd toen hij er genoeg van had en we naar Europa
gingen. Deze schilderij werd door een hollander
gemaakt en betaald door alle employé's: ik heb de lijst nog ! Vandaag
ziet het oogpunt net als vroeger uit! alleen de
schoorsteen van de fabriek is nu korter met een datum er op '1939' meen
ik. De buitenhuizen van ons huis zijn nu
een 'mosquée' geworden ! No comment. Daar ik een 'verzamelaar's' virus
heb, bezit ik nog het betaalboekje van mijn
moeder (voor het huis personeel). Ja Rob, veel rommel ! Heb ook nog het
diploma van opa toen hij door zijn medische
eind-examen was (Amsterdam). En zo gaat het door. Voilà, moet nu de tuin
in want het is lekker weer en altijd iets te
doen. A la prochaine ! -jan-

17. USA

Cesear, Jack; Parma, Ohio

Crouch, Sandy

Daalen Wetters, Ria van; Burbank, California

Huender, Peter; Las Vegas, Nevada Peter Huender, being a relative of the Van Goens family, has been the key contributor to the chapter about Rijklof van Goens. This chapter has been published in 'Steen' by this author in much more detail; the text presented here is a summary. Peter Huender proved to be a first class web researcher, with virtually unlimited energy. His efforts were of prime importance to paint the Van Goens family background in 'Steen'. In the current book, this information has been sketched very broadly only, so as to keep the page count within some sort of reason. All US contacts mentioned here contributed to the Rijklof van Goens story.

Johnson, Dan

Miller, Joe; Tucson, Arizona