Flying with the RAF Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema

target indicator flares being dropped on berlin mosquito during bombing raid

to fly raf hazelhoff first had qualify. poor vision had disqualified him earlier mandatory service in dutch reserves. glasses wore visual correction should have disqualified him pilot training well. ever resourceful, hazelhoff worked around smuggling in lens , palming during vision test. passed, , sent canada flying school. trained in single seat fighter aircraft, , awarded gold cufflinks on graduating training course given best pilot cadet in training group.

on returning england found himself sidelined, unable posted operational squadron. unlikely avenue elite pathfinder force. group made of bomber command s experienced , best pilots, job guide bomber stream of rafs nighttime bombing force through weathers on targets in germany. while lamenting situation girlfriend midge cooper @ public house, hamish mahaddie happened by. mahaddie wing commander pathfinders, frequented public houses after giving talks on pathfinder techniques see if recruit pilots force. here s man need! said cooper. though hesitant take on inexperienced pilot, mahaddie granted hazelhoff spot @ raf warboys group trained pilots on twin engine aircraft , night flying in preparation work in pff. obtain position in squadron hazelhoff needed score above average in training course, succeeded in doing. near-sighted rookie fighter pilot posted elite pathfinder bomber force, flying de havilland mosquito.

hazelhoff flew 139 squadron. plane unarmed, , relied on speed escape german night fighters, , luck through flak. bomber command crews considered complete tour of combat flying after 30 sorties. in pathfinder force crews required complete 60 sorties, later reduced 45. hazelhoff completed 72 flights german airspace, including 25 missions on berlin, heavily defended city in reich. service r.a.f. awarded him distinguished flying cross.

while serving in raf hazelhoff flew pilots , aircrews other nations had become occupied nazi germany, whom saw comrades in arms. years later came realize working danes, poles , others gave him broader sense of world came appreciate.