Royal Netherlands East Indies Air Force - ML-KNIL

North American B-25 Mitchell

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Kroya, killing all eight crew members. Crew (18th Squadron): George Edward Durand, Johan Wilhelm Gerharz, Reinier Emil Jessurun 5. Thanks to Bert van Willigenburg for his contribution. Source & photos: http://www.dornierdo24k.nl/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The airplane was completing a flight from Batavia to Bandung, carrying 24 passengers and a crew of two. While descending to Bandung Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with clouds and rain falls. In poor visibility, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Burangrang. The wreckage was found 23 days later and all 26 occupants were killed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The last radio contact was recorded some 15 minutes prior to the ETA at Cairns Airport. While descending, the twin engine aircraft hit a hill and crashed in the Daintree National Park, near Mossman, some 65 km northwest of Cairns. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 20 occupants was found. Eventually, the wreckage was found in January 1989 in an isolated and mountainous area. All 20 occupants were killed, among them two civilians. Crew: 1st Lt H. J. H. Daanen, pilot, Sgt W. A. Torn, copilot, Sgt E. Kerdijk, wireless operator, Sgt J. F. Damwijk, flight engineer. Passengers: 1st Lt R. T. H. Braakensiek, H. P. Levy, B. van Aken, O. Leyding, R. J. Salm, J. S. Zwart, Sgt A. C. Scholte, Sgt M. Boogerman, M. J. Straub, S/L Leslie Roy Dawson, Lt Horace William Hammond Armstrong, 2nd Lt J. R. L. Lebeu, 2nd Lt R. E. J. Boereboom, 2nd Lt S. Jacob, Mrs Waas, Mrs Wakemaw.

North American B-25 Mitchell

While approaching the Langgur Airport, the B-25 Mitchell was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed. At least one crew member was killed. Crew (18th Squadron): F/Sgt Thomas Hugh Barclay.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Shot down while on a bombing raid and crashed into the sea off Timor. All six crew members were killed.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Crashed in unknown circumstances on Kai Island while performing a maritime patrol flight. All six crew were killed.

North American B-25 Mitchell

En route, crew was forced to ditch the aircraft into the Pacific Ocean. A crew was rescued while all three others were killed. The reason of the occurrence is unknown.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Engaged in a bombing mission in the region of Kupang, the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in Tenau, killing all five occupants.

North American B-25 Mitchell

The aircraft christened 'The Flying Dutchman' from 18 Squadron of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEI-AF/ KNIL) was damaged after running off the runway in a downwind landing at Batchelor airfield in the Northern Territory. There were no casualties. Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nt138.htm

North American B-25 Mitchell

Overran on landing at Batchelor Airfield when the nose wheel and flaps refused to work after an evening bombing raid to Laha and Ambon. All crewmen were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nt139.htm

North American B-25 Mitchell

During the take off run, the aircraft hit a gun pit, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a field. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (18th Squadron): P/O B. Wetters, pilot, Cpt Eccles, pilot, Cpt Jesserun, navigator, F. Weber, wireless operator, Vernon McLean, air gunner.

North American B-25 Mitchell

The crew was involved in a bombing mission against enemy warship cruising off the coast of Maluku. During the attack, the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea, killing all five crew members. Crew (18th Squadron): 1st Lt A. F. Oudraad, pilot, 2nd Lt J. B. F. de Knecht, copilot, Sgt Neville George William Morris, bombardier, Sgt A. H. de Jongh, radio operator, Sgt Geoffrey Albert O'Hea, wireless operator and air gunner.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Following an uneventful reconnaissance mission over North Timor, the twin engine aircraft was returning to its base in Darwin when on approach, it crashed into the sea one mile off Nightcliff, in the suburb of Darwin. All five crew members were killed. Crew (18th Squadron): S/Maj G. Tijmons, pilot, Sgt K. van Bremen, copilot, S/Maj F. J. van Wylick, radio operator, F/Sgt Ronald James Hill, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt George Bryanton Weller, wireless operator and air gunner.

North American B-25 Mitchell

The crew was performing a reconnaissance mission over the Kaimana Bay. While returning to its base, the twin engine aircraft was attacked by the pilots of two Japanese Mitsubishi Zero. An oil line on the right engine was damaged so the right engine was cut. The captain was able to leave the combat area and decided to divert to Darwin. While approaching the Australian coast, due to fuel shortage, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft off Point Jahleel, on Melville Island. While the aircraft sunk and was lost, all five crew members were rescued. Crew (18th Squadron): 2nd Lt R. L. N. Swane, pilot, 1st Lt A. J. de Wolf, copilot, 2nd Lt C. E. Begeman, bombardier, Sgt Rouvroye, radio navigator, Sgt William Charles Donald Moore, air gunner.

North American B-25 Mitchell

The aircraft was engaged in a bombing mission over Dili. Approaching the target, the aircraft was attacked by few Japanese Mitsubishi Zero. Two crew members, among them the pilot, were killed and the aircraft was hit on the right engine and the tail as well. The crew was able to leave the combat area but was eventually forced to ditch the aircraft into the Timor Sea, some 150 miles south of Dili. The aircraft sunk and was lost while four crew members were rescued a day later by an Australian destroyer. Crew (18th Squadron): 2nd Lt B. J. Grummels, pilot, † C. M. Fisscher, copilot, Cpl Van Der Weert, radio operator, Sgt Hoek, flight engineer, F/Sgt Ronald Stuart Horridge, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Robert Gordon Tyler, wireless operator and air gunner. †

North American B-25 Mitchell

Shortly after take off from MacDonald Airfield, while climbing, the aircraft crashed in a huge explosion some 3-4 miles from the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (18th Squadron): Schalk, Hiele, Janssen, Kessels, Maarschalkerweerd, Abeleven, MacPherson. Source & photo: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nt83.htm

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Five minutes after take off from the Batavia-Kemayoran Airport, while climbing, an engine failed. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing but the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed on a house in the suburb of the capital city. All five occupants in the aircraft were killed as well as seven people in the house. The Lt Gen Berenschot was returning to his headquarter in Bandung following an international conference in Batavia with Gen Popham of the British Empire Army Forces. Crew: Johan Christiaan Frederik Knapp, pilot, Cpt Watkins, pilot, Franciscus van Kampen, Eelco Heinrich Felix de Haan. Passenger: Lt Gen Gerardus Johannes Berenschot.

Avro 504

The pilot was completing a local training flight out from Bandung when he lost control of the airplane that crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and die the following day.

De Havilland DH.9

While descending to Bandung, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a dense wooded area located in Lembang, north of Bandung. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

De Havilland DH.9

On final approach to Kalijati Airfield, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and one of them died from his injuries two days later.

De Havilland DH.9

The pilot, sole on board, departed Bandung on a local training flight. After takeoff, the airplane stalled and crashed. The pilot was killed.

Avro 504

The crew was completing a local training flight at Kalijati Airfield. While making a sharp turn, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed on the ground. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

De Havilland DH.9

En route to Kalitanjung, the crew encountered strong winds and lost control of the airplane that crashed in Cirebon. Both occupants were injured.

Avro 504

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Kalijati Airport. While manoeuvring at low height in the vicinity of the airfield, the airplane stalled and crashed into trees. The pilot was killed.

De Havilland DH.9

On final approach to Magelang, the crew was completing a last turn when the airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were injured.

Avro 504

After takeoff, the pilot made a turn when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in Sukamiskin, Bandung. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Vickers Viking (Serie I/II/III & IV)

Shortly after takeoff, the airplane crashed in the Batavia harbor off Tanjung Priok. The pilot was rescued and the aircraft was lost.

Vickers Viking (Serie I/II/III & IV)

On final approach to Kalijati Airfield, the seaplane impacted a tree and crashed. A crew member was killed and the second was injured.

De Havilland DH.9

On a flight from Kalijati to Bandung, the crew got lost after the weather conditions deteriorated. The engine failed following a fuel exhaustion, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed onto a house and was destroyed. Both pilots were injured.

De Havilland DH.9

Crashed on takeoff from Bandung. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Avro 504

The crew was completing a local training flight at Kalijati Airport. While passing over the airfield at an insufficient altitude, the airplane impacted the roof of a hangar and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and the pilo died from his injuries few hours later.

Avro 504

Following a local training mission, the pilot was returning to Kalijati Airfield when, upon landing, the airplane crashed and came to rest upside down. The pilot escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.