André de La Porte, Pieter Cornelis

Date of birth:: December 13th, 1912 (Baarn, Netherlands)
Date of death:: August 24th, 1944 (over Ambon, Dutch East Indies)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Ambon
Plot: 7. Row: D. Grave: 8/13.
Nationality:: Dutch

Biography

Reserve captain-pilot-observer

André de la Porte was assigned to the 18th Mitchell Bomber Squadron in Australia. From a reconnaissance flight over Larat (Tanimbar Islands) on August 24, 1944, carried out by two North American B-25 Mitchell bombers of the 18th Squadron N.E.I. (Netherlands East Indies), No. N5-169 has not returned. Later reports stated that the plane was shot down by Japanese ground fire.
The crew, consisting of six people, was initially able to survive, but fell into Japanese hands due to treachery and was subsequently executed. This persistent rumor was not substantiated after the war. However, six remains were exhumed on site and reburied at the Allied cemetery in Ambon.
André de la Porte was awarded the Cross of Merit and posthumously the Airman's Cross.

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Vliegerkruis (VK)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Reserve-Kapitein Vlieger-Waarnemer
Unit:: No. 18 (NEI) Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
Awarded on:: June 16th, 1950

703rd Award. (posthumously)
Royal Decree No.44, June 16th, 1950

Kruis van Verdienste (KV)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Reserve Eerste Luitenant Vlieger
Unit:: KNIL
Awarded on:: February 4th, 1943

Recommendation:
He has displayed courage, determination and capability during the Japanese offensive in Burma in May 1942, by frequently piloting an unarmed and unfamiliar aircraft flying photgraphic missions at great height up to 1.000 miles deep over enemy held territory in order to enable aircraft of the U.S. Air Force to succesfullty execute bombing missions.

KB no 1