• Den Haag in de Tweede Wereldoorlog

Date of birth:

June 29th, 1915

Date of death:

July 2nd, 1998 (The Hague/Zuid-Holland The Netherlands)

Nationality:

Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)

Rang/eenheid:

Res. 1e luitenant-vlieger in 1e Ja.V.A., Jachtgroep Veldleger, 2e Luchtvaartregiment

Jan Bosch left school after his exam in 1934. Although he went studying, he always wanted to fly. He stopped his study Indian Law to become a pilot in the Dutch Army.

When war broke out on 10th May 1940, Bosch was pilot with 1e Jachtafdeling at De Kooy airbase near Den Helder. When he later was demobilised he followed courses with the KLM to start working there. Still he was eager to fight again and tried to flee to England. After several failed attempts he succeeded to go to England through Switserland on 15th February 1943.
Although to old for flying eith the RAF, he kept pressing on and flew for the first time in active duty again during D-Day. Jan Bosch became Mosquito pilot with the "Pathfinders" an took part in 61 bomber missions.

After the war he flew with the KLM and in 1961 for a short period was head of the historical section of the Dutch Airforce.

Promotions:
30th October 1937: Reserve-tweede-Luitenant Vlieger;
30th October 1941: Reserve Eerste-Luitenant;
15th May 1948: Reserve Kapitein.

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• Photo 1: De Nederlandse Luchtmacht in Mei 1940
• Photo: De Nederlandse Luchtmacht in Mei 1940
  
• - MEIJER, H.G. & VIS, R., Het Vliegerkruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1997.
  - The Dutch Medals Page