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Re: Dutch Catalina Y-45 rescue 17 February 1942
The destroyer Van Ghent sank on 15 February. Sister ship Van Nes and the steamer Sloet van de Beele were sunk on 17 February in the Gaspar Strait near Biliton (Belitung) by G3M and B5N aircraft. The steamer carried over 1,000 people and it was 358 survivors from these two ships who were rescued, mainly by three Do 24s and PBY Y-45. The rescue action did not begin until the 19th and Y-45 rescued 25 people and then 79 on another flight on the 21th.
Peter
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