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320 Squadron (Dutch) [2 Tactical Air Force 2TAF] Missing Presumed Killed

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Formed on 1 June 1940 at Pembroke Dock, after flying from the Netherlands in eight Fokker T.VIIIW twin-engined patrol seaplanes, as part of Coastal Command. The squadron flew coastal and anti-submarine patrols in the Fokkers until they became unserviceable due to lack of spares and were re-equipped with Ansons in August 1940 and supplemented in October with Hudsons. Owing to insufficient personnel, the squadron absorbed No. 321 (Netherlands) Squadron on 18 January 1941. In the Archive 320 is referred to as 320C for the period in which is was part of Coastal Command. Thereafter it is referred to as 320B.

The Squadron's motto is: Latin: 'Animo libre dirigimur'. English: 'We are guided by the mind of liberty'. Dutch:'Wij worden geleid door een vrije geest'

The squadron moved to RAF Leuchars on 1 October 1941, re-equipped with Hudson IIIs, flying patrols and anti-shipping attacks in the North Sea. Detachments were located at RAF Silloth and RAF Carew Cheriton until 24 April 1942 when the squadron moved to RAF Bircham Newton. The squadron was reassigned to Bomber Command and loaned to No.2 Group on 15 March 1943. The squadron was re-equipped with Mitchells during spring 1943 and moved to RAF Methwold.

On 30 March 1943, the squadron moved to RAF Attlebridge, then was reassigned to Second Tactical Air Force on 1 June with the squadron attacking enemy communications targets and airfields. The squadron relocated to RAF Lasham on 30 August and to RAF Dunsfold on 18 February 1944. From these airfields the squadron participated in many 'Ramrod' and 'Noball' operations and bombing attacks on construction works, railway yards, fuel dumps and V-1 sites in the North of France, in advance of D-Day.

After D-Day the bombing of tactical targets continued and changed from France to the Dutch Coast of Zeeland, and in September 1944 the squadron was involved in bombing German troops in the surroundings of Arnhem during the Airborne battle. In September the squadron started bombing targets in Germany along the Rhine for the advancing allied troops. In October 1944 the squadron was transferred to Melsbroek (B.58), in Belgium. From there the bombing of bridges and airfields in the east of the Netherlands and Germany continued. During 1943 and 1944 the squadron took heavy losses. On 30 April 1945 the squadron moved to Achmer, Germany.

Personnel Posted Missing Presumed Killed Whilst 320 Sqd Part of 2TAF

Korp Vltg Telegr Blok, Willem Lodewijk RAF/RNNAS Stb.Nr. 20510 320B 30/07/1943 None known

Kok 2kl Does, Cornelis Pieter Johannes Maria van der RAF/RNNAS Stb.Nr. 90465/Z 320B KvV 30/07/1943 1. Vijfluik Loenen, Gelderland, NL 2. C. van der Doesstraat, IJmuiden, NL

Res 1Lt Eind, Evert van 't RAF/RNNAS 320B 30/07/1943 None known

Off Vl 2kl Ritte, BK, DFC Willem Jacobus RAF/RNNAS 320B 30/07/1943 Reinaldapark, Haarlem, Noord-Holland, NL

Res 1Lt Vl Roessingh, KvV Mr. Albert RAF/RNNAS 320B 30/07/1943 Vijfluik Loenen, Gelderland, NL

Res Sgt Vl Bank, Cornelis Jacobus RAF/RNNAS 21069 320B 25/10/1943 1. Memorial plate, Orry-la-Ville, Senlis, F 2. Memorial plate, former RAF Lasham, Hampshire, GB. No casualty names on this Monument

Korp Vltg Schutter Apeldoorn, Albert Gerardus RAF/RNNAS Stb.Nr. 16238 320B 28/10/1943 None known

Res 1Lt Vl Dieren, Bijvoet Anthonius Johannes (Boelie) van RAF/RNNAS 320B 28/10/1943 Stone tablet at Nederlands ereveld Orry-la-Ville, Senlis, F

Res 1Lt Wnr Knaap, Cornelis van der RAF/RNNAS 104591 320B 28/10/1943 1. Runnymede, panel 1332. Stone tablet at Nederlands ereveld Orry-la-Ville, Senlis, F

Res 1Lt Vl Hamilton of Silverton Hill, VK Henry Louis (Bill) RAF/RNNAS 320B 08/06/1944 Stone tablet in Orry-la-Ville, Senlis, F.

Sgt Vltg Schutter Kuijpers, Franz Matthias RAF/RNNAS Stb.Nr. M.4056, later 18182 320B 08/06/1944 Stone tablet in Orry-la-Ville, Senlis, F.


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