Dutch wartime squadron remembered
News Dutch wartime squadron remembered - Monday 28 April 2008A spectacular flypast by four F-16 jets over the countryside near Liverpool brought to an end a ceremony to mark the formation of all-Dutch 322 Squadron at RAF Woodvale in Merseyside 65 years ago.
A team of airmen from the Royal Netherlands Air Force came over for the ceremony and members of 322 Squadron also raised their flag and toured the airfield where their squadron was formed at the height of World War II.
Some 300 Dutch airmen managed to flee to Britain after the Germans invaded the Netherlands in May 1940. The British authorities interned most of them after their arrival, but many pilots and ground personnel joined RAF squadrons after they were given clearance.
Pressure for an all-Dutch squadron intensified and was supported by the exiled Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands who had learned to fly with the RAF. And so, on 12 June 1943, 322 Squadron was formed at RAF Woodvale.
The squadron flew Spitfires and its primary role was intercepting the Germans' much-feared V-1 rockets. The squadron is today based in Leeuwarden in the north of the Netherlands and its pilots fly F-16s.
Cpl First Class Cristian Schrik from 322 Squadron said:
"It's fantastic to be here for such an historic moment – this is where it all started for us. We're honouring those people who fought for our freedom so it's very special to come back to RAF Woodvale again."
RAF Woodvale was opened in 1941 and is now home to Liverpool University Air Squadron and the Manchester and Salford University Air Squadron. Its Acting Station Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Hitchcock, said:
"The visit has been very useful because it has made us reflect on our own history.
"It makes us feel that what we're doing is worthwhile – it's more than just teaching people how to fly. We are seen as a quiet outpost but the history of Woodvale is very important."
Photographs: Andy Teebay, Liverpool Daily Post and Echo.
Image 1: (Larger size) The four F-16 jets fly over RAF Woodvale while Corporal First Class Cristian Schrik and Sgt Berry Stolk salute
Image 2: (Larger size) Sgt Berry Stolk and Cpl First Class Cristian Schrik of the RNLAF, second left and right, are flanked by Flt Lt Rob Pickering and Flt Lt Peter Hitchcock from RAF Woodvale
Source
http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=9AE6A2F9-1143-EC82-2E503C1C0A36D253
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