322 SQUADRON

Source: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie
The original design of Polly Grey with signatures of approval of King George

Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst

The Place

Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomstSource: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst
322 was stationed at Woodvale since it was founded at june 12. 1943 to december 31. 1943. Woodvale was built after the German attacks on Liverpool during the winter of 1940-41. Woodvale was active as militairy base untill 1971. Since 1934 Woensdrecht was in use as airfield. Because it was not fit for heavy aircraft there were plans to leave it. The threath of war made that it stayed active. The Germans made a it into a full equipped airfield. In 1944 the allies captured the heavily damage airfield, as shown above. Since 1967 it is in use for education. In the eighties there were plans to station Tomahawks at Woensdrecht.

The Men

Source: Video '75 jaar KLu' This pilot comes from Rotterdam and crossed the Noth Sea in a Cano to fight the Germans.
Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst Bert Wolters and his mascotte ready for take off. Unfortunately it would bring him no luck. He crashed after a collision with Flying Officer Manders while climbing through the clouds. Manders managed to bail out. Bert was known as an 'above average' pilot.
Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst Bert Wolters on his Spitfire. He had great interest in technics and followed the mechanicans with interest. He discovered instability of the Spitfire XIV above 20.000 ft. His aircraft was tested at Salisbury and this led to improvements like a larger rudder.
Source: Opdracht uitgevoerd. De Nederlandse oorlogsvliegers 1940-1945 Flt.lt. Plesman beside his Spitfire IXc 'Prinses Beatrix', registered as VL-P. Jan Plesman was shot down by FLAK and killed over France on september 1. 1944. On the same day Sqd.ldr. Kuhlman and Flt.lt. Van Eenenburg were also shot down by FLAK. Kuhlman was taken prisoner, van Eendenburg managed to stay out of the hands of the Germans chasing him and became squadrom leader on september 12.
Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst Bob van der Stok became Squadron Leader on march 2. 1945. Bob scored two kills during the may war over Holland and escaped to England in 1941 together with Mr. S.E. Hazelhof Roelfzema ('Soldaat van Oranje') and P. Tazelaar. While member of 41 Spitfire squadron at Tangmere he was shot down by German fighters over Northern France at april 12. 1942 and was captured. He was taken to prisonercamp Stalag Luft 3 near Breslau. He escaped as part of a group of 76 officers (The great Escape). 73 of them were captured again. 50 of them were murdered by the Germans.
Source: Oorlogsvlieger van Oranje Jan Arts, Bob van der Stock and Han Doornbos
Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst A picture of some of the members of the A-flight. From the left: Bert Wolters, C.F. Schudel, M.A. Muller, K.C. Kuhlmann, J.B.C.A. Arts, L.C.M. van Eendenburg, L.M. Meyers
Source: Oorlogsvlieger van Oranje Peuter Janssen was known as the best pilot of 322.
Source: Homepage Militair Luchtvaart Museum A group of 322 pilots in front of the 'Prinses Beatix'.
Source: Oorlogsvlieger van Oranje Robbie Wijting and dick Knappert in from of their Spitfire 3W-D
Source: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie A groep of 322 pilots in front of a Spitfire.
Source: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie Sgt Van Roosendaal 322Sqn standing by his Spit with registration 3W - M.
Source: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie Pilot unknown? The spit is a Vickers/Supermarine Spitfire F.MK. IX.

The Groundcrew

Often not mentioned, but absolutely vital for the squadron. Without them there would simply not be anything to fly!

Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomstThe groundcrew also had an important job. Many of them were recruited form the 'Prinses Irene Brigade'.
Source: Nick BeyePicture taken in England in 1943. These 21 men represent most of the ground crews that serviced the Spitfires of 322 Squadron. Standing in the middle of the picture with his right hand on his hip, is Bart Beije. Read his interesting story here!

Highlights

Source: Video '75 jaar KLu' Princess Juliana inspecting a spitfire.
Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst Princess Juliana speaking with squadron leader L.C.M. van Eendenburg.

Day to day life

Source unknown The Spitfire 'Soesterberg' reminds of the goal of all the actions.
Source unknown A Spitfire being prepared for the next flight. If you compare the hangar with the picture below it might be taken at Woensdrecht
Source unknown This Spitfire at woensdrecht is ready for take-off.
Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst P. Jacobs and M.Th. de Vries arming a Spitfire for the next flight. The camouflage above is left behind by the Germans.
Source unknown A spitfire with running engine before take-off.
Source unknown A spitfire waiting for the next flight.

Drama

Source: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie Jan Flinterman posing next to his damaged Spitfire. Flak?
Source: 322 squadron Sporen van zijn verleden, lijnen in zijn toekomst The funeral of Bert Wolters on september 21. 1944. While climbing through the clouds he collided with Flying Officer Manders. He did not get out of his Spitfire. In total 18 pilots were killed while flying for No. 322 squadron. Another sad detail is that Bert joined 322 together with R.F. Burgwal, F.J.H. van Eijk, G.P.C. de Neve and H.C. Cramm on july 22. 1943 and that none of them survived the war. His frined Hans van Roosendaal with whom he escaped to England in 1941 (the journey took 8 months mostly spend in France) survived the war. He was shot down over the Netherlands but managed to escape from the Germans and returned to the squadron.