Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hello,

On the 17 May 1962 a Neptune from 321 Squadron of the MLD (Dutch navy) shot down an Indonesian Dakota during operations to stop infiltration of the Dutch New Guinea. I found the date on http://www.papuaerfgoed.org/nl/node/20178. 321 Sqn operated their Neptunes from Biak.

I would be very grateful if anyone can help me with some details about this incident.

Regards
Peter Hasselgren

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi Peter

I can't help with this incident but, I believe, during this period of unrest, an RAF Javelin accounted for an Indonesian C-130? I seem to recall that the Javelin was manoeuvring into position to fire its missiles when the C-130 crashed.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi Brian,

I have read about this claim but I have never seen the names of the crew. Do you know if this claim is officially confirmed by the RAF?

You have written about Commonwealth pilots involved in the Israeli Independence War, Korean War and Suez War. Any plans for a book about the air operations during the Malayan Emergency and Confrontation? Not much air-to-air action but besides the RAF involving both RAAF and RNZAF.

Cheers
Peter

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi Peter

I don't think I will be able to find the time!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Brian, I understand if your to busy but if you ever find the time I have this book on my wishlist.

I just saw on http://www.collectie.legermuseum.nl/...n/i002048.html
that another Neptune was involved in a dogfight with an Indonesian Mitchell on the same day. 321 Sqn was also involved in attacks on Indonesian torpedo-boats and submarine.

Cheers,
Peter

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi Peter

IIRC the Javelin was from 46 Squadron (apparently not, probably 60 Squadron), presumably based at Singapore. I've read a comment somewhere that one of its Firestreak missiles was missing on its return, implying that it may have shot down the C-130. Further research definitely required.

IIRC, a distinguished Australian WW2 pilot was lost during this time while gun-running, his aircraft being shot down by ??

Not much help, but it may jog someone else's memory!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi Brian,

I found the date of this claim on Wikipeda: "On 2 September, three C-130 set off from Jakarta for Peninsula Malaysia, flying low to avoid detection by radar. The following night (3 September), two of the C-130 managed to reach their objective with their onboard PGT paratroopers, who jumped off and landed around Labis in Johore (about 100 miles north of Singapore), while the remaining one C-130 crashed into the Malacca Straits trying to evade interception by an RAF Javelin FAW 9 launched from RAF Tengah."

...but according to the RAF Historical Society Journal 13 (http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research...0Indonesia.pdf) no claim was made. "the pilot overshot as the target speed was so slow and he failed to regain contact."

Looks like a real mystery.

Cheers,
Peter

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi,

Back to the original question. I found the pilots name with the help of Google´s translator when I read about the Dutch Submarine Hunter Friesland (http://www.collectie.legermuseum.nl/...n/i001999.html): "On May 17, 1962 shot the pilot of the Naval Air H. Moekardanoe his Neptune Dakota down an Indonesian who then could make an emergency landing at sea. The seven crew of the aircraft were picked up by the Friesland and Fak Fak put ashore. "
You get soem "funny" translations when using this tool.

I am still interested in more details.

Regards
Peter

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Peter,

Dutch is my native tongue, so perhaps I can add some more info after browsing a bit on Dutch websites about the Neptune vs. Dakota encounter. No funny translations here, I hope!

The Neptune (serial 207) was patrolling on the south side of New Guinea, keeping an eye out for Indonesian Migs and Mitchells. The RO then reported a contact in the Kaimana area that was interpreted as para droppings by Indonesian a/c. The contact was 110 miles away however, so a hard catch for the Neptune.
But the tactical coordinator on the Dutch destroyer "Groningen" set out a course and with the two jet engines of the Neptune engaged, they could increase the interception speed. After a while a C-47 was sighted and two short bursts with 20-mm cannons set the left wing of the transport on fire.
The Indonesian crew of seven ditched perfectly and could climb in dinghies, to be picked up by the Dutch destroyer "Friesland" later on the day.
The Dutch pilots were Rein Lub and LTZ 1 Harry Moekadanoe.

That same 17 May 1962 an Indonesian Mitchell was intercepted by another Dutch Neptune (with guidance by the Dutch destroyer "Limburg"), but the Neptune's cannons somehow failed and the Mitchell got away.

Best regards,

Leendert

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Peter,

Found this interesting view about the Indonesian C-130 loss in 1964 in Borneo on following website: http://sgforums.com/forums/1164/topics/382660

Shot down by own gunners?

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Thanks Leendert, just what I needed. Can you confirm if Harry Moekadanoe was the first pilot?

Regards,
Peter

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Leendert,

I found the same information on another site but the loss mentioned on these sites was over Borneo and the claim by a Javelin was over the Malacca Straits.

Maybe it all started as rumors mixing information from these two incidents.

Cheers,
Peter

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi,
Very interesting to find my name in this site.
You are correct Leendert `t was 17 may 1962 and Moekardanoe was the first pilot and I was his companion and second pilot on this remarkable trip. So I can say definitively that Leendert his search is true.
There were no other RAF planes (Javelins) in this area - Dutch New Guinea.
Regards Rein Lub

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Welcome Mr. Lub!

The subject itself is a pretty unique event in modern / post WW2 aviation history, but actually getting a response from one of the participants is amazing.

Thank you for sharing.

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Than you for confirming this information. As Ruy writes a unique event but I believe it is almost unknown outside the Netherlands.

Regards,
Peter Hasselgren

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Yes, indeed Peter, there was no intensive press publication worldwide during that time. I think no one was concerning the sale of a forgotten land.
The Dutch government was acting to “sell” the Dutch-Nieuw-Guinea country to the Indonesian government and even that - was a silent execution.... (the handover occurs via the United Nations)
But after all, there were plenty publications worldwide about the infiltrations, accidents and movements.
For the crews a nasty happening - because the newspapers arriving at least a week after publishing in this Papua country.
And the watch of the pilot of the C47 became to me (war-booty) still running after 50 years and a long time in the seawater - I give it to the Naval-Airforce-Museum in Den Helder.
http://www.traditiekamermld.nl/oorlogsbuit.htm (story in the Dutch languish)
Regards Rein Lub

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

An amazing story even if I missed some of it. Google translater is not perfect for translating from Dutch to Swedish. Did you fly photo-recce missions to Indonesia? Must have been extremely dangerous considering the fighters Indonesia had.

Regards
Peter Hasselgren

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi guys

Of course, we are discussing two different incidents here. One is the downing of the C-47 in 1962, the other of the C-130 in 1964.

But fascinating, as you say.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi, Peter, Brian & Leendert
Yes, we made a lot of foto rec`s mostly in the night - low on the deck- and after arr. a climb to take the pick`s- jets on and back to Biak. Transits mostly 4-5 hours, so the trips were approx 13- 14 hours.
Of course we were concerning about the Mig`s but we had an enormous range and two extra jet engines to accelerate. Thereby we had spoilers to made sharp turns - but the crew don’t like this!!
Sorry Peter, I have no time to translate the hole story - I`m retired you now.
Regards- Rein Lub

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

Hi Rob,
No need to translate you have already helped me with the part of the story I was unsure about. Since earlier I knew about the other operations your were involved in but had never heard about these photo rec´s. No doubt it takes courage to perform these missions.

Enjoy life in retirement and once again thanks for the help.
Regards,
Peter

Re: Indonesian Dakota shot down by Dutch Neptune
 

This is a story that has fascinated me for many years. Fantastic to get a response from one of the crew involved. Thank you very much for your contribution Mr. Lub.

I assume Harry Moekardanoe is the same pilot that downed a Zero on 2 April 1945 over the Pacific, flying a Fleet Air Arm Hellcat? I once found his original combat report of this event in the London National Archives a few years ago, including his signature at the bottom. It was interesting to see this unique piece of Dutch naval aviation history.