One truck too many 

With the Allies having gained air superiority there for the last month, many missions were aimed at maintaining and exploiting superiority. In addition to their surveillance of designated stretches of airspace, the pilots were tasked with taking out occasional targets. The squadron did not miss that opportunity: the twelve Spitfire aircraft successfully attacked ground targets near Gorinchem, the Netherlands, in the morning. In the Operation record book, they noted several hits on trucks, locomotives and wagons, with hits from every aircraft. 

They subsequently flew a little further east for a second reconnaissance of a quadrant between Ommen and Zwolle. Because there had been missiles fired from this region, they were extra motivated and alert. Aware that a supersonic V2 could not be stopped in the air, their special attention was focused on the vulnerable supply lines via rail and road. The required nine tonnes of propulsion power would arrive periodically in liquid form by train in Heino, before being transported to Hessum by road. A direct hit on that flammable cargo would naturally produce a great spectacle. 

They realised that they needed to be somewhat economical with their firepower, as later in the day the squadron would be escorting another small group of aircraft in a bombing raid on Zwolle's railway bridge. Unfortunately, one of the pilots would not make it to that mission - as they fly towards Rechteren castle, he would not fare well. 

When they spotted a truck on the Tolhuisweg near Hessum House, six pilots initiated a dive. Visibility was somewhat hampered by trees, and although they skimmed low over the treetops, the first salvo (rounds of fire) went over and past the target vehicle. On the second run, they hoped for more success, but just before the second attack, they noticed that pilot Van de Werve's aircraft was missing. One of them tried to make radio contact, but it remained grimly silent. They observed snapped treetops and debris below them and drew the inevitable conclusion. 

In May 1950, Léon van de Werve de Vorsselaer was posthumously awarded the 700th Flying Cross for his initiative, courage and perseverance. Van de Werve is the only Belgian ever to have been awarded a Dutch flying cross.

Text Hugo van den Ende 
Research Stefan Hendriks