CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

Hi guys

One for our Dutch friends.

According to Brian Cull's excellent "Hurricanes over Singapore", a CW-21B of 2-VIG-IV was possibly shot down in error on 24 February 1942 by an RAF Hurricane. Its pilot Ensign D. Dekker was killed. A second CW-21B force-landed, and a third was allegedly shot down by Dutch AA, its unidentified pilot baling out.

Can anyone add flesh to the bones?

Cheers
Brian

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

Excellent eh? Bit of self-publicity methinks! Suggest a date and if Singapore, wrong Board!

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

Hi Chris

Said in jest - but rich coming from you, my friend! However, I believe that it is an excellent account, don't you? And if not, why not?

Cheers
Brian

"Humour makes the world go round"

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

It was taken like that. I am afraid I steer away from Far East-not enough hours in the day! Suggest you ask a Moderator to move this though

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

Brian,

In reality it's not 2-VI, but 2-Vl.G.IV with l for lion. Abbreviation for "2e Vliegtuigafdeling der IVe Vliegergroep".

As for Vaandrig Deker, there was a reference on warbirdforum:

February 24th proved another dark day for the CW-21Bs. Four of them scrambled along with Hurricanes of 2-VlG-IV. Twenty-seven Type 1 fighters of the 59th and 64th Flying Regiments reported encountering seven Hurricanes and two "P-43s." Both CW-21s were lost with Ens. D. Dekker killed and Sgt. H.M. Haye crash-landed. As if this were not bad enough Lt. W. Boxman, the Interceptor flight leader, was shot down apparently by friendly ground fire and a fourth CW-21B was destroyed on the ground in a subsequent bombing attack.

Full name: Dick Dekker, born 22 June 1914. The date of 21 Feb 1942 is mostly mentioned as date of death on Dutch websites... This at Lembang (Bandung, West Java).

Regards,

Leendert

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

As far as I am concerned, the best book on ML/KNIL's aircraft and actions is Peter Boer and Aircraft of the Netherlands East Indies Army Air Corps in crisis and war times Feb 1937-June 1942. As far as I know he is a most respected and dedicated researcher/historian.

Unfortunately it also makes the warbirdsforum data sound rather rubbish.

He lists the loss of the stated aircraft as follows:

Res Tlt Dekker being shot down in CW-362 near Lembang on 21 Feb

No other combat losses that day.

Sgt H.M. Haye belly landed CW-364 on 19 Feb due to technical reasons, his undercarriage would not lower itself! No combat mission what so ever since he was on a test flight checking exactly what went wrong, the undercarriage!

Elt Boxman was hit by his own (well Allied at least) AA-fire on 3 March and he bailed out, severely burnt, of CW-363.

Finally the strafed aircraft may refer to CW-365 which was lost in a Japanese air raid on Andir 3 March. The details provided by Leendert are not detailed enough.

Even if Brian's details in his book are a bit dated by now, I confess I enjoyed reading it and I intend to keep it on my bookshelf.... :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

Stig,

Thanks for clarifying things. Too bad I have only one edition of P.C. Boer's books (The Borneo Air Campaign, Dec 1941-Feb 1942) which does not include the events as Brian's question.

The date of 21 Feb 1942 for Res Tlt (Reserve Tweede Luitenant) as on most, if not all Dutch websites, also clear now.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

Leendert

None of us is any wiser than the latest research and as we both know that is an ever ongoing affair :)

Boer's book was published in 2016 by Batavian Lion International ISBN 978 90 6707 685 2. Since it is a book from the perspective of the aircraft (each aircraft used during the period is discussed individually), it suffers from the usual drawback such a book always gets, you read about the same dates many many times. But since each and every individual aircraft are detailed, it is worth every penny.

It is the only one I have by him, but I also have his Dutch Mitchell stuff from the Internet, and after reading that complex story, I bought this one knowing it just had to be good....

Cheers
Stig

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

P C Boer also wrote The Loss of Java: The Final Battles for the Possession of Java Fought by Allied Air, Naval and Land Forces in the Period of 18 February - 7 March 1942 published in 2011.

https://www.amazon.com/Loss-Java-Bat...8255128&sr=1-7

This won't have the details on each aircraft, but each date should only appear once. :)

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: CW-21B 2-VIG-IV NEI
 

Hi guys

Flak!

I'm hiding in the corner, holding my head! Is there a cure?

Cheers
Brian