Mission: Patrol - German troop transports

Date: 13th May 1940 (Monday)

Unit: No. 264 Squadron

Type: Defiant I

Serial: L6974

Base: Duxford (via Martlesham)

Location: -

Pilot: P/O. Desmond Hayward Sidley Kay 42006 R.A.F. Survived (1)

Air/Gnr: L.A.C. Evan John Jones 744999 R.A.F.V.R. Survived (2)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 04.15 hrs from Martlesham along with 5 other Boulton Paul Defiant's together with 6 Spitfires from 66 Squadron. The object being to patrol the Dutch coast between Ijmuiden and the Hague to attack German troop transport.
They flew across the North Sea, making landfall about ten miles north of The Hague at 0515, after which all aircraft turned north. Over IJmuiden they were fired on by Dutch anti-aircraft guns located on the south side of the harbour.

The guns were firing accurately but they ceased fire immediately the British signalled the Dutch letter of the day. All aircraft turned about and flew south along the coast. More fire, this time German, was met over Maassluis which caused sections to take evasive action. Shortly after, the No. 66 Squadron Spitfires turned east towards Rotterdam where there were fires raging in various places while the Defiant's followed a more southerly route.

Approaching Rotterdam, the crews of both flights saw about seven German Ju 87 Stukas (belonging to 12. Staffel of Lehrgeschwader 1) dive-bombing a target to the south-east.

The Defiant's went in to the attack and a ferocious air battle developed. Shortly after, Bf 109s from 5. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 joined the battle, which then developed into a series of individual dogfights.

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Burial details:

1) Sg/Ldr. Desmond Hayward Sidley Kay D.F.C. and Bar. Adinkerke Military Cemetery Grave E.22 Son of Albert Sidley Kay and Rosamond Emily Hayward Kay, of Thurlestone, Devon.

(2) Sgt. Evan John Jones. Dunkirk Town Cemetery Plot 2. Row 17. Grave 15 Son of John and Ann Jones; husband of Janet Barr Jones, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Page constructed by Alexander King, Researched by Jan Jolie (Dutch researcher) for the Aircrew Remembrance Society.