Remembrance Day 2022 - pilots of 1847 RNAS FAA

[Hanno Spoelstra]

In 1944, six of the twelve pilots of 1847 RNAS lost their lives due to training accidents – all in less than four months. As a result, 1847 Sqn was disbanded and absorbed into 1840 Sqn. The seventh pilot of 1847 Sqn was killed later while serving in operations with 1844 Sqn.

On Remembrance Day 2022 I share their names so we do not forget the Fleet Air Arm's Flying Dutchmen and their British brothers in arms of 1847 RNAS FAA.

1. Johannes Blok RNN - my grand-uncle
2. Simon de Ridder RNN
3. Hugh Grenville Knowles RN
4. Erick Hendrik den Hollander RNN
5. Franciscus Cornelis Marie Brogtrop RNN
6. Hendrik Christiaan de Jager RNN
7. John David Standish Smithwick RNVR

See https://www.facebook.com/groups/Flee...FlyingDutchmen for more information about these pilots

#remembranceday #lestweforget2022

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Pilots of 1847 FAA Squadron on RNAS Eglinton, March 1944.

Left to right, standing:
1. S/Lt. John David Standish Smithwick RNVR, MIA 12/4/1945
2. S/Lt. Hendrik Christiaan de Jager RNN, KIA 18/5/1944
3. S/Lt. J. Schwenke RNN
4. S/Lt Simpson
5. CPO Rob R. Twijssel RNN
6. CPO Frans Cornelis Marie Brogtrop RNN, KIA 18/5/1944
7. CPO Simon de Ridder RNN, KIA 27/3/1944

Left to right, sitting:
1. Lt. Hugh Grenville Knowles RN, KIA 22/4/1944
2. Lt. Gerry Volkersz RNN
3. Lt. Cdr. A. Colville-Stewart RNVR, 1847 Sqn Commanding Officer 1/2/1944 to 20/5/1944
4. Lt. Karel A. La Bree RNN
5. Lt. Johan Blok RNN, KIA 27/3/1944

RNN = Royal Netherlands Navy

[Hanno Spoelstra]

S/Lt Johannes Blok, RNN, 1847 NAS FAA, RNAS Eglinton. Killed in midair collision 27-Mar-44 with Sgt Simon De Ridder near Tullybrisland, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Post-WW2 re-buried at Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats, Amsterdam in grave 42-57.




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Simon de Ridder, Sgt Vl, 1847 NAS FAA , born Amsterdam 14-03-1918, KIA Tullybrisland, Londonderry, Ire, 27-03-1944, with Hellcat Mk I. Buried Ereveld Loenen, grave E/1012. Collided with J. Blok.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Lieutenant Hugh Grenville Knowles was the third (and only British) pilot of 1847 Squadron FAA to be killed in an air crash in Northern Ireland on 22 April 1944.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Lieutenant Erick H. den Hollander, 1847 Sqn FAA, was flying Hellcat Mk I FN390 on 28-04-1944. He fell out of formation at 26.000 ft and dived towards the sea, finally crashing into a field at Loughmagarry, near Ballymena, Northern Ireland - see the link below to an eyewitness report of the crash.

Erick H. den Hollander was laid to rest in St Canice's Churchyard, Eglinton, Northern Ireland, next to fellow Dutch pilot Hendrik C. de Jager, also of 1847 Sqn FAA, who crashed on 18 May 1944.

The cause of the crash was listed as "oxygen failure presumed".

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Franciscus Cornelis Marie Brogtrop, Sgt Vl Wnr ML-KNIL, 1847 FAA Sqn, born Breda 13-02-1919, KIA Lough Foyle, 2 mile N of RAF Eglinton, Londonderry, Ire., 18-05-1944, with Hellcat Mk I JV182.
Buried Mill Hill, London, grave A/15/1. Collided with H.C. de Jager during forming up after take-off.




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Headstone of Lt. H.C. de Jager at St. Canice's Parish Church, Eglinton, Northern Ireland.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

S/Lt. John David Standish Smithwick RNVR was one of four British pilots in 1847 Sqn. After 1847 Sqn was disbanded, he was transferred to 1844 Sqn which was sent to the Asian Pacific theatre of Operations.
S/Lt. Smithwick first went into action in October 1944 over the Nicobar Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean. The caption of photo IWM A 26378 shows "Sub Lieut (A) J D S Smithwick, RNVR, aged 21, of Liverpool, who accounted for the third enemy fighter. It was his first action." On 30 January 1945 S/Lt. Smithwick was Mentioned in Despatches "for distinguished services in the planning and execution of a successful air strike at Nancowry and a bombardment of Car Nicobar". On 12 April 1945 John's Hellcat JW862 was hit by friendly fire after returning from combat. His aircraft ditched, burst into flames and sank. Sadly, his body was not recovered, and he was listed as "missing presumed killed".