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
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.
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- 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.
Sources