Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Officier vlieger der 3de klasse

Recommendation:
For outstanding acts for the fatherland in wartime, namely:
Having been posted as observer aboard Our aircraft R7, which had been allotted the task to fly to occupied Holland in the night of October 15th - 16th, 1940 and to land on one of the lakes in order to fulfill a task, important for the secret service and for having greatly contributed, by his capable and tactful conduct, to the execution of the hazardous task.

Royal Decree no. 3 dated 15 November, 1940.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

In addition to the Bronze Cross,

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Officier-vlieger der 3e klasse

Unit:

No. 320 (Dutch) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

January 10th, 1941

Citation:
"Lieutenant Schaper, Sub-Lieutenant Ritte and Corporal Van Tongeren, were pilot, navigator and wireless operator gunner respectively of a Fokker seaplane detailed to undetake a special mission of very greatest importance involving unusual preparation, courage and initiative of a high order. Moreover the operation involved landing and taking off in enemy territory at night without assistance of any kind. Intence opposition from machine guns and searchlights was encountered at a hight of less than 100 feet. Sub-Lieutenant Ritte received the entire bust of tracer bullets at point blank range. Fortunately the burst was deflected by the bomb sight, but splinters sprayed this officer's legs, face, hands and chest. Corporal Van Tongeren displayed extreme coolness and qualities of a high order in keeping his gun in action despite the fact that he was wounded in his legs and his gun knocked out of his hands. Lieutenant Scheeper succeeded, by his determination and courage, in bringing his severely damaged aircraft back to base with both members of his crew wounded. Although suffering from loss of blood, Sub-Lieutenant Ritte continued to navigate the aircraft and so enabled his pilot to make a safe landing in the most difficult circumstances. Lieutenant Schaper, Sub-Lieutenant Ritte and Corporal Van Tongeren formed a team whose perfect co-operation alone enabled them to extricate themselves from what might have been a hopeless situation."

Permission to wear the decroation granted by Royal Decree No. 6, dated February 28th, 1941.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)