"No award would have been too great for the magnificent young woman who was known as the Soul of the Belgian Underground. For years she fought against tremendous odds and expected nothing but bullets. "When I first met her in Paris in 1942 she was only 22 years old. About 5 feet 2 inches, weighing about 105 pounds and very pretty, she was a brunette when her clever disguises did not make her a redhead or a blond. "Mlle DeJongh was very clever; she always did the unexpected. The Nazis feared her so much they placed a price of 10,000 marks on her head, and sent some of their keenest Gestapo agents in search of her. "She not only acted as guide for Allied airmen from Paris across the Pyrenees to San Sebastian, but she provided food, clothes, cigarettes and other comforts. She organized false certificates of residence, false identification cards with photos and false passports. When a special seal was needed as a stamp of approval for a phoney document, she found a way to secure one." Angers...jumped from his burning bomber over Duisburg on June 16, 1942 and made his way into occupied Holland. A Dutch peasant on the outskirts of Eindhoven took him across the border to Turnhout in Belgium where he made contact with the underground.... Two weeks later, Angers was one of a party to leave Paris with Mlle Dejongh on the first leg of their journey to freedom. Following her usual daring routine they travelled in a coach with German officers. Arriving at St.Jean de Luz, the party spent two days in a flat immediately above where the regional Gestapo agent dwelt ! Thence on to Urrunge, from where they commenced an attempt to cross the Pyrenees. Unfortunately, about this time smuggling had reached such proportions that the Germans had a patrol everywhere in the mountains. The party had reached the first peak (4,000 feet) when they were ambushed by two German soldiers. "To create the impression they were strong numerically, " said Angers, "the Germans yelled and fired rapidly and haphazardly. Up to this point we had been climbing in Indian file. The shooting startled us and the party was divided. "I stayed with Dedee [DeJohngh] and we returned to our rendezvous at Urrugne. The others drifted back within 24 hours but my navigator was caught. Two days later we made another attempt and were successful." Upon reaching the village of Oyarzun on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, the party had to cross the Bidasao River. Swollen by icy-cold mountain streams the river, though 50 yards wide, was not very deep. The current was so swift that all had to cross "au naturel" holding their clothes aloft. Angers fell into a pot hole and was nearly drowned. All were utterly exhausted when they reached the other side. The men lay on the bank unable to go further. The next contact point was San Sebastian, five miles away, and Mlle DeJongh set off to obtain a conveyance. "She returned with an automobile, saw us all in safety, bid us au revoir, and returned along on her 40th trip over the Pyrenees. "When she had gone we all felt a personal loss," Angers added. As soon as Belgium was liberated, Angers contacted Major Count Temmerman, Chief of the Belgian underground. From the latter he learned Dedee's name for the first time and secured her address. He also learned that the important figure known only as "The Professor" was Dedee's father, a professor in Brussels University. He had been shot by the Gestapo. Public Records Office Air 2/5684 has a recommendation which both confirms and contradicts some of the above: This airman was a member of the crew of an aircraft which crashed over Belgium when returning from a bombing raid on Essen on 17th July 1942. On baling out his parachute caught in a tree, and in freeing himself he was severely injured in falling to the ground. Despite this mishap, and although in great pain he succeeded in avoiding capture by enemy patrols, by crawling away from the scene of his landing. Following a period of hiding he managed to obtain aid to his injuries and nothing daunted, set out on his way to France, into which he successfully crossed. He was finally able to make his way into Spain, whence he was repatriated on 18th August 1942.

This airman's keen interest and thorough efficiency has made him an admirable credit to his squadron. On every occasion his excellent understanding of trade responsibilities, combined with continuous hard work, has resulted in a perfect record of technical operations, whilst proving an ideal example for other tradesmen.

LAC Cooke was one of the original members of the squadron. He has set an extremely fine example, being thoroughly trustworthy in every way. His cheerful, co-operative manner, irrespective of long hours of work which he is sometimes called upon to perform, under most adverse conditions, has been most commendable.

I have been unable to locate the wording of the citation.

Corporal Crowley has set a very fine example as a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Aero Engine Mechanic. He has worked hard and long hours, often under most adverse weather conditions.

On January 12th, 1945, Flying Officer Eyjolfsson was giving two and three engine flying instruction. During various stages of the flight, it became necessary to feather three of the engines, the last of which was feathered when near to base. With cool judgement and skilful flying, Flying Officer Eyjolfsson so maneouvred his aircraft that he was able to make an excellent landing at base in moderate visibility. His calmness in emergency and his skilful airmanship undoubtedly saved the aircraft and possibly the lives of the crew. Flying Officer Eyjolfsson has been employed here as an instructor for eight months and has always shown enthusiasm, keenness and ability above average.

This officer has completed a tour of operations and on being screened was placed in charge of the Radar Navigation Training on this station. Since his appointment to that position, this officer has shown himself to be extremely keen and has displayed great devotion to duty. He has completely reorganized the Radar Training section, together with the system of Radar training, with the result that the standard of training has been raised to a very high level.

LAC Green has invariably shown a great capacity for steady and accurate work. On many occasions he has volunteered for extra duties and has performed these in a most commendable fashion and, in some cases, having to contend with the most adverse weather conditions.

As Flight Engineer Leader of the squadron, Flight Lieutenant Hall has devoted many extra hours of work to improving the knowledge and efficiency of the men of his section. The results he has obtained have been outstanding.

Flight Sergeant Manson was posted to this squadron as a Corporal on 30th January 1942, was promoted to Sergeant on 1st December 1943, and again promoted to Flight Sergeant in charge of "B" Flight on 1st March 1944. At all times he has shown an aggressive initiative in his duties and his energy and resourcefulness have contributed to a large measure to the high state of efficiency of the ground personnel of his flight.

Corporal Mowbray has been an airframe mechanic with the squadron since January 31st, 1942 and has invariably shown great diligence, care and outstanding enthusiasm for his work.

Sergeant McHarg joined the squadron on 11th June 1942 and has since then consistently shown very aggressive initiative in his duties. He has worked hard and long hours under all types of adverse weather conditions in his endeavours to maintain an outstanding serviceability record.

Another incident where no further information is given

The above airman was a member of the crew of an aircraft which was shot down over Belgium on 29th July 1942 while on the way to attack Saarbrucken. After an unsuccessful search for the rest of his crew he made his way past enemy patrols from the scene of the crash and walked for several days until compelled to go into hiding. It was not until he had experienced several narrow escapes from search parties that he succeeded in obtaining help finally to make his way into France, when he journeyed to Spain. He was repatriated from Gibraltar on 13th September 1942.

After a most successful tour during which Group Captain Pleasance was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, he has served in turn as Station Commander at RCAF Stations Tholthorpe, Wombleton and is now Station Commander at RCAF Station Linton. During the time that this officer has been under my command, I have found him most loyal, tactful and co-operative. He has been diligent and attentive to his work and has carried out all orders and instructions to my complete satisfaction. Since coming to Linton this officer has shown the ability to organize and improve many sections of the station. His ability along these lines is producing excellent results.

Through cheerfulness and efficiency this officer has been a great asset to the squadron. His invariable good humour and outstanding determination to attack the enemy has done much to give confidence to new crew. AFRO 1338/43 dated 16 July 1943. Cited with F/O G.G. McGladrey (DFC), F/O R.G.

Flight Sergeant Sinclair has always been a steady, conscientious worker and leader. His keenness and thoroughness in performing his duties as NCO in charge of "A" Flight has been far beyond the call of normal duty. The thoroughness with which he has trained man men in the performance of their several duties has been instrumental in developing a high percentage of serviceability in his flight and his personality and ability as a leader is beyond praise.

Sergeant Smith was posted to this squadron on 13th January 1942 as an LAC. His dependability and good workmanship earned him Sergeant's rank, where his outstanding qualities of leadership and infinite capacity for hard, accurate work have been instrumental in maintaining a high degree of serviceability of the aircraft. His quiet sincerity and earnestness, plus the great number of extra hours he has worked, have made him a most valuable NCO.

LAC Stryjkowski has thrown himself into his work in a whole-hearted fashion and has set an extremely fine example as an Aero Engine Mechanic.

As Navigation Leader of this squadron, Flight Lieutenant Thompson has not spared himself in his endless endeavours to improve the efficiency of the squadron navigators. He has shown most outstanding devotion to duty.

On the night of 6th March, 1943, Pilot Officer Turner was the flight engineer of an aircraft detailed to bomb Essen. After bombing the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and Pilot Officer Turner sustained a severe cut in his right eye. Later, while crossing the Zuider Zee, the bomber was attacked by fighters and set on fire. The captain ordered the crew to escape by parachute. Pilot Officer Turner became unconscious during his descent. On regaining consciousness after landing he disposed of his parachute and other equipment and, with the aid of a pocket compass, he commenced to walk southwards towards Amsterdam. Here he hid in doorways when necessary and, after daybreak, left the city, remaining in a small wood near Diemerburg for the rest of the day. He was subsequently able to evade a number of German patrols and reached Utrecht on 8th March. He avoided a German camp but was later accosted by a German guard whom he managed to deceive by making guttural noises when challenged. Pilot Officer Turner then hid in a hay stack and later continued his journey, reaching Tricht on 9th March. He had obtained food by stealth and managed to board a train on the 10th March which he left between Wicjk and Aachen. He proceeded southwards on foot and ultimately some helpers gave him food and a civilian suit. He found his way into Belgium and reached Liege on 12th March. Here he obtained help from a waiter in a restaurant who took him to his house. Pilot Officer Turner's subsequent journey to this country was arranged for him. NOTE: Air 2/5025 also has recommendation submitted 27 September 1943 by his CO, noting he had flown ten sorties (56 hours 50 minutes). Recommended for DCM; G/C A.D. Ross supports this (30 September 1943); A/V/M G.E. Brookes notes (14 October 1943) that Turner has been commissioned and suggests a Military Cross. Sergeant Turner has completed ten operational sorties against the enemy and enemy occupied territory as Flight Engineer. At all times he has shown himself to be efficient, keen and determined in the face of grave dangers. On the night of 6th March 1943, Sergeant Turner's aircraft failed to return. He returned himself, however, after some 15 weeks. The details of his escape from enemy territory as outlines in MI.9 MOST SECRET REPORT M.I.9/S/P.G.-1273, show outstanding fortitude on his part. His determination to avoid capture and to return to friendly territory deserves nothing but the highest praise. FURTHER NOTE: Air 2/5025 includes long MI.9 report on his evasion up to linking with Resistance.

Corporal White's steadfastness and his outstanding ability as a rigger have been material in maintaining a high standard of serviceability of the aircraft of this squadron. He has shown fine qualities of leadership and has not spared himself when difficulties arose.