DUTCH AIRMEN

Grey River Argus, 8 June 1943, Page 5

DUTCH AIRMEN

OPERATE FROM AUSTRALIA.

SYDNEY. June '7

For fear of Japanese reprisals on their families' l in the East Indies, the Dutch heroes of the Mitchell medium bomber squadron operating from a northern Australian base, cannot be named even when they win decorations. They are known as “the incognito squadron.” sioned officers traditionally take the oath of allegiance with the left hand on their bomber’s propellor blade. “Only in death are officers freed from their plane,” explains a Dutch commander.. All members of the squadrons are convinced that like the Americans who bombed Tokio, they will be summarily executed if they are captured by the Japanese. One Lieutenant of the squadron received the Dutch D.F.C. for gallantry, while attacking a Jananese invasion convoy off Java. He sank three enemy ships, including a cruiser. Australians and Javanese make up the air crews of the Dutch pilots and navigators. While most Dutch airmen now speak English, „n the first days’ of the squadron’s existence, Australians experienced greatdifficulty in understanding the orders given by the aircraft commanders The squadron’s official notices ard published in both Dutch and English.