Bosch, Jan Willem Theodore

Den Haag in de Tweede Wereldoorlog

Date of birth:: June 29th, 1915
Date of death:: July 2nd, 1998 (The Hague/Zuid-Holland The Netherlands)
Nationality:: Dutch
Rang/eenheid:: Res. 1e luitenant-vlieger in 1e Jachtvliegtuigenafdeling, Jachtgroep Veldleger, 2e Luchtvaartregiment

Biography

Jan Bosch left school after his exam in 1934. Although he went studying, he always wanted to fly. He stopped his study Indian Law to become a pilot in the Dutch Army.

When war broke out on 10th May 1940, Bosch was pilot with 1e Jachtafdeling at De Kooy airbase near Den Helder. When he later was demobilised he followed courses with the KLM to start working there. Still he was eager to fight again and tried to flee to England. After several failed attempts he succeeded to go to England through Switserland on 15th February 1943.
Although to old for flying eith the RAF, he kept pressing on and flew for the first time in active duty again during D-Day. Jan Bosch became Mosquito pilot with the "Pathfinders" an took part in 61 bomber missions.

After the war he flew with the KLM and in 1961 for a short period was head of the historical section of the Dutch Airforce.

Promotions:
30th October 1937: Reserve-tweede-Luitenant Vlieger;
30th October 1941: Reserve Eerste-Luitenant;
15th May 1948: Reserve Kapitein.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: June 11th, 1944

Permission to wear the decoration by Royal Decree No. 50, dated 10th August 1946.

Vliegerkruis (VK)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Reserve-tweede Luitenant Vlieger
Unit:: No. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: September 22nd, 1945

Received for warsorties over Western Europe.

439th Award.
Royal Decree No. 27, dated 22nd September 1945.

Vliegerkruis (VK)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Reserve-Eerste Luitenant Vlieger
Unit:: 1e Jachtvliegtuigafdeling, 2e Luchtvaartregiment, Wapen der Militaire Luchtvaart
Awarded on:: November 4th, 1948

For air battles from 10th until 13th May 1940 over De Kooy, Waalhaven and the Grebbeline.

577th Award.
Royal Decree No. 12, dated 4th November 1948.
Second Vliegerkruis received as a number "2" for on the ribbon of the first Vliegerkruis.