Date of birth:

December 29th, 1908 (Drachten/Friesland, the Netherlands)

Date of death:

October 20th, 1955 (Hagestown/Maryland, United States)

Nationality:

Dutch

Rang/eenheid:

Tijdelijk Reserve-Kapitein-Vlieger in 3e Ja.V.A., Jachtgroep Veldleger, 2e Luchtvaartregiment

Gerben Sonderman studied at the Academy for Physical Training. Following graduation he became a teacher at a high school and, after joining the Rotterdam Lloyd Shipping Company, was appointed a physical training instructor. Later he joined the Netherlands Air Force, thereby achieving a long-standing ambition.
In October 1936 he was appointed as a pilot officer in the Reserve. On January 23rd, 1939, he entered the service of the Fokker company as a test pilot, and tested the D.21, D.23 and G.I fighters, as well as the T.5, T.8-W and T.9 bombers. During the German invasion he fought gallantly, in a G.I, against the Luftwaffe, and during the occupation was an active member of the resistance movement. After the war, in 1946-47, he was one of the few Dutch pilots to take the E.T.P.S. course in England. In January 1947 he was promoted 1st lieutenant and, in May 1948, captain. Thereafter he became personal pilot to His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard and to the Netherlands Royal Family. He was made a lieutenant-colonel in 1954.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Res. kapitein der militaire luchtvaart

Unit:

3e JaVa, Wapen der Militaire Luchtvaart, Koninklijke Landmacht

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1948

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Reserve Majoor-Vlieger - Militaire Luchtvaart

Unit:

Bureau Bijzondere Opdrachten (BBO), Nederlandse Regering in Ballingschap

Awarded on:

December 22nd, 1951

For work in the resistance.

Royal Decree no. 34 dated 22 December, 1951.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Adjudant van de Koningin

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1954

"....for their outstanding services in underground activitied connected with the organized civil and Armed Forces resistance movement in Holland during the period of occupation of that country by the Germans, from 7 December 1941 to include various dates of such meritorious service leading to the liberation in May 1945....."

Medal presented 1 March 1954 by the American Ambassador H. Freeman Matthews.

• - ERIK MÜLLER, De Bronzen Leeuw.
  - HEUVEL, C.C. VAN DEN e.a., Verzetsherdenkingskruis, Samsom Uitgeverij, 1985.
  - MEIJER, H.G., Bronzen Leeuw, Bronzen Kruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1990.
  - MEIJER, H.G. & VIS, R., Het Vliegerkruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1997.
  - Flight Global
  - Provinciale Overijsselsche en Zwolsche courant 02-03-1954