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Zinnicq Bergmann, van, Robbert Jacques Emile Marie

    Date of birth:
    April 11th, 1917 ('s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands)
    Date of death:
    June 14th, 2004 (Vorden, the Netherlands)
    Nationality:
    Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    Robbert "Robbie" van Zinnicq Bergman joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves in 1942. In 1944 he flew with the Hawker Typhoon with No. 182 Squadron. In 1945 he became Flight Commander in the same Squadron. He was Adjutant to Queen Wilhelmina and served as Hofmaarschalk with three queens.

    Promotions:
    8th June 1940: Tweede Luitenant;
    8th June 1942: Eerste Luitenant;
    15th May 1948: Kapitein;
    15th August 1952: Majoor;
    16th February 1955: Luitenant Kolonel;
    1st November 1961: Kolonel.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 181 Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    May 15th, 1945
    Citattion:
    "On 10th April while leading eight aircraft on an armed reconnaissance of the Hagenau area, Flight Lieutenant Bergmann observed fiftteen plus tanks, standing beside the railway line. The formation immediately came under fire from the guns defending the area. Being above the tanks and therefore unable to go down immediately, Flight Lieutenant Bergmann orbited until he had manoevered himself in a position to attack with the best advantage. The squadron was then led down on to the tanks in the face of the intense flak despite the fact that the element of surprise had gone. During his own attack, Flight Lieutenant Bergmann gave calm instructions to the rest of the formation as to how this operation should be carried out to the best advantage. In this operation, Flight Lieutenant Bergmann showed the utmost determiniation in destroying the enemy, pressing home his own attack to a very low level.
    Flight Lieutenant Bergmann has completed 86 operational sorties and has always shown the utmost keenness to engage the enemy. Since he has been a Flight Commander, he has led the squadron very succesfully on many operations and has been a firm example to others. He has at all times shown a complete disregard for personal safety."

    Permitted by Royal Decree No. 13 dated 16th January 1956.
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Kapitein vlieger
    Unit:
    No. 182 Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    September 22nd, 1945
    Vliegerkruis (VK)
    Van Zinnicq Bergman received his Vliegerskruis for attacks on groundtargets in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, with Typhoons in 181 and 182 Squadrons in the Royal Air Force.

    433rd Award.
    Royal Decree No. 75 dated 22nd September 1945.
    Presented on 30th April 1946 by Prins Bernhard at Soestdijk Palace.

    Sources

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