Hagen, Gerrit

Messerschmitt Bf 110

Date of birth:: October 27th, 1919 (Nunspeet, the Netherlands)
Date of death:: May 10th, 1940 (Voorschoten, the Netherlands)
Buried on:: Dutch War Graves Nunspeet
Plot: 0. Row: 0. Grave: 379.
Nationality:: Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)
Rang/eenheid:: Dpl. sergeant-luchtschutter in 3e Ja.V.A., Jachtgroep Veldleger, 2e Luchtvaartregiment

Biography

His name is mentioned on the monument at the Commonwealth Wargraves on the cemetery at Nunspeet.

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Vliegerkruis (VK)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Dienstplichtig Sergeant (Sergeant)
Unit:: 3e Jachtvliegtuigafdeling, 2e Luchtvaartregiment, Wapen der Militaire Luchtvaart
Awarded on:: May 6th, 1946

Received for his part in the battles on 10th May 1940 during which Gerrit Hagen was killed. Together with pilot Luitenant van Riemsdijk, Gerrit Hagen scrambled from Ypenburg on 10th May in their Douglas D8-3N, Nr. 388. Hagen discovered that his machinegun was not functioning and he dicided to take it apart in the air and repair it. Directly after the repairing the 388 took part in the air battles over and around Vakenburg. After a while, van Riemsdijk discovered that Hagen was not firing anymore and was hanging severely wounded or killed over his machinegun. The 388 then engaged in air battle with five Messerschmitt Bf 110's and started burning. Van riemsdijk managed to escape with his parachute. The plane crashed on the estate of "Ter Horst" in Voorschoten.

477th Award.
Royal Decree No. 9 dated 6th May 1946.
Awarded posthumously.