1st ROF

RNLAF history

A very brief overview of the history of the Netherlands Airforce in WW2. May Days of 1940. During the German invasion, the Dutch Airforce shot down 350 German aircraft (75% of Hitler's JU52 transport fleet!) before the end of the 10th of May.The battle fought from Britain. In March 1943, 320 RAF Squadron transferred to B-25 Mitchells (2nd TAF) tasked with day and night bombing operations. Before, during and after the invasion of Normandy, (3252 sorties total) the 320 sunk 10,0000 tons of shipping.On 12th of June 1943, the 322 Dutch fighter squadron was formed within the RAF in Britain. Equipped with Spitfires, their tasks varied from escort, patrolling and intercepting V1 flying bombs. (110 V1s were downed). After August 1944, 322 strafed ground targets in France. 322 squadron had flown 4896 sorties in which 17 airmen were killed. 322 are still active and are flying the F16-Falcon. The squadron is stationed at NATO's airbase in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.