TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Geurts, Wilhelmus Johannes

Date of birth:
October 14th, 1915 (Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Date of death:
February 25th, 1942
Mentioned on:
Dutch War Cemetery Kembang Kuning
Nationality:
Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)

Biography

In the night of February 24th to 25th, 1942, the Dornier 24K X17, with Willem Geurts aboard, and the X 18, carried out a bombing attack against Japanese shipping in the Bay of Mantok on the island of Banka.
On the return flight, X 17 and X 18 were both shot down by Japanese fighter aircraft near Noordwachtereiland in the Sunda Strait.
The crew of the X 18 managed to swim to shore where they were rescued by the minelaying vessel Hr. Ms. Djombang. Nothing was ever heard from the 6 man crew of the X 17.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Corporal Aircraft Mechanic
Unit:
Marine Luchtvaartdienst (Royal Dutch Naval Air Service)
Awarded on:
December 15th, 1947
Recommendation:
Has distinguished himself, as a member of Our Air group 8, by having displayed courage, persistence, ability and devotion to duty whilst flying numerous operational missions against the enemy in the Dutch East-Indies in December 1941 and in January and February 1942.

Royal Decree no. 11 dated December 15th, 1947.
Awarded posthumously.
Vliegerkruis (VK)

Sources

Photo