Spitfire RR249

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by: JoopSiep ORB 322 (Dutch) Squadron RAF 2016-09-27 14:15:52

Form 541 Squadron took part in armed recces. over DEVENTER/ZWOLLE/MEPPEN/LINGEN/HENGELO. With the cloud base between 500 and 1000 feet the sections did not get far into enemy territory before meeting much accurate flak. No attacks were carried out. W/O VAN ROOSENDAAL was hit by flak and thought to have baled out West of ZUTPHEN. F/O HOMBURG was last heard in the MUNSTER area when his No.2 lost contact. P/O JANSSEN and F/O HENDRIKX also have not yet returned. P/O JANSSEN was later found in a Canadian Hospital after force landing, and W/O VAN ROOSENDAAL escaped after forcelanding and being taken prisoner.

Form 540 The weather was very poor today but in spits armed recces were ordered to be carried out over DEVENTER/ZWOLLE/MEPPEN/ LINGEN/HENGELO. The cloud base was between 500 and 1000 feet and consequently the sections did not get far into enemy territory before meeting much accurate flak. No claims were made but W/O VAN ROOSENDAAL was hit by flak and was heard to say that he was baling out West of ZUTPHEN. P/O HOMBURG was last heard in the MUNSTER area, when his No.2 lost contact, and P/O JANSSEN and F/O HENDRIKX have not been heard of since taking off. All the pilots have not yet returned. This is a heavy blow to the Squadron but we all hope that, aided by our ground forces rapid advances, they will all return to our lines safely.
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