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Deibel arrived in Singapore with his squadron on 9 December 1941 with 9-12 [[Brewster Buffalo]]es and was stationed at [[Kallang Airfield]].
Deibel arrived in Singapore with his squadron on 9 December 1941 with 9-12 [[Brewster Buffalo]]es and was stationed at [[Kallang Airfield]].


He first saw action on January 12, 1942, during a Japanese air raid over Singapore. A formation of Japanese bombers escorted by five [[Ki-27 Nate]]s were sighted at 1000 hours. They were intercepted by three Dutch Buffaloes, who succeeded in chasing them away, damaging one of the bombers. When they returned in the afternoon, Deibel and two other pilots were scrambled to intercept them, encountering nine Ki-27s. Deibel claimed two of them before being shot down himself. He was hospitalised for four days after suffering a wounded head.<ref name="Brewster Buffalo: in Dutch service"/>
He first saw action on 12 January 1942 during a Japanese air raid over Singapore. A formation of Japanese bombers escorted by five [[Ki-27 Nate]]s were sighted at 1000 hours. They were intercepted by three Dutch Buffaloes, who succeeded in chasing them away, damaging one of the bombers. When they returned in the afternoon, Deibel and two other pilots were scrambled to intercept them, encountering nine Ki-27s. Deibel claimed two of them before being shot down himself. He was hospitalised for four days after suffering a wounded head.<ref name="Brewster Buffalo: in Dutch service"/>


His squadron returned to [[Java]] on 18 January, missing out on the [[Battle of Singapore]]. Deibel followed eight Buffaloes to Semplak, while 23 others flew to Andir and Tjilitian.<ref name="Brewster Buffalo: in Dutch service">[http://www.warbirdforum.com/dutch.htm Brewster Buffalo: in Dutch service]</ref>
His squadron returned to [[Java]] on 18 January, missing out on the [[Battle of Singapore]]. Deibel followed eight Buffaloes to Semplak, while 23 others flew to Andir and Tjilitian.<ref name="Brewster Buffalo: in Dutch service">[http://www.warbirdforum.com/dutch.htm Brewster Buffalo: in Dutch service]</ref>
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On 7 March, Japanese troops had reached the plateau of Lembang. Deibel, along with Lieutenant [[Gerard Bruggink]] and [[Officer Cadet]] [[Jan Scheffer]], volunteered to join [[Captain (land and air)|Captain]] [[Jacob van Helsdingen]] on his mission using the last three working Buffalo aircraft. The four pilots took off from Andir airfield and proceeded to Lembang to provide air support for ground troops fighting in the city.
On 7 March, Japanese troops had reached the plateau of Lembang. Deibel, along with Lieutenant [[Gerard Bruggink]] and [[Officer Cadet]] [[Jan Scheffer]], volunteered to join [[Captain (land and air)|Captain]] [[Jacob van Helsdingen]] on his mission using the last three working Buffalo aircraft. The four pilots took off from Andir airfield and proceeded to Lembang to provide air support for ground troops fighting in the city.


Helsdingen's squadron travelled 200 metres when they encountered a Japanese aircraft, which Deibel attacked before it escaped. Some time later, three Japanese [[A6M Zero]]s appeared. Deibel fired at two of them which turned away, but was hit in the oil tank by the third Zero and had to break off from combat. His wingman, Scheffer, escorted him back to Andir airfield under a tropical [[rainstorm]], shooting down a [[Nakajima Ki-43]] fighter.<ref name="Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2">{{cite book|title = Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2|year = 2010|publisher = Osprey Publishing|author = Kari Stenman, Chris Davey, Andrew Thomas|ISBN = 978-1-84603-481-7}}</ref> One of Deibel's [[landing gear]]s, damaged during the fight, broke off from his aircraft, causing it to crash in a [[Ground loop (aviation)|ground loop]]. He survived without sustaining any injuries. Helsdingen and Bruggink remained above Lembang, but were now [[dogfight]]ing six Zeroes. Helsdingen was soon shot down, but Bruggink managed to escape into the clouds before returning to Andir airfield. Dutch forces in Lembang surrendered the next day. All four Dutch pilots were awarded the [[Military William Order]] on July 14, 1948.
Helsdingen's squadron travelled 200 metres when they encountered a Japanese aircraft, which Deibel attacked before it escaped. Some time later, three Japanese [[A6M Zero]]s appeared. Deibel fired at two of them which turned away, but was hit in the oil tank by the third Zero and had to break off from combat. His wingman, Scheffer, escorted him back to Andir airfield under a tropical [[rainstorm]], shooting down a [[Nakajima Ki-43]] fighter.<ref name="Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2">{{cite book|title = Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2|year = 2010|publisher = Osprey Publishing|author = Kari Stenman, Chris Davey, Andrew Thomas|ISBN = 978-1-84603-481-7}}</ref> One of Deibel's [[landing gear]]s, damaged during the fight, broke off from his aircraft, causing it to crash in a [[Ground loop (aviation)|ground loop]]. He survived without sustaining any injuries. Helsdingen and Bruggink remained above Lembang, but were now [[dogfight]]ing six Zeroes. Helsdingen was soon shot down, but Bruggink managed to escape into the clouds before returning to Andir airfield. Dutch forces in Lembang surrendered the next day. All four Dutch pilots were awarded the [[Military William Order]] on 14 July 1948.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 11:47, 7 February 2016

August Gerard Deibel
Born11 September 1915
Fort de Kock, Sumatra[1]
Died12 June 1951
Uithuizen, Netherlands
AllegianceNetherlands
Years of service? – 1951
Rank1st Lieutenant
Unit2-VLG-V
Battles / warsBattle of Malaya
Dutch East Indies campaign
AwardsMilitary William Order

1st Lieutenant August Gerard Deibel (11 September 1915 – 12 June 1951) was a Dutch pilot of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force. He was part of 2-VLG-V, which was stationed in Singapore before its withdrawal to Java. His unit emblem was a rhinoceros head painted on both sides of the front fuselage on his Brewster Buffalo aircraft. His rank and surname, 'Lt Deibel' was printed beside the nose art.

Deibel is credited with three kills, two of which were Ki-27 Nates on 12 January, during a Japanese air raid over Singapore, and was twice wounded in action on 12 January and 19 February 1942. Deibel was killed on 12 June 1951, piloting a Gloster Meteor aircraft when it crashed near Uithuizen in the Netherlands.[1]

World War II

Singapore

Deibel arrived in Singapore with his squadron on 9 December 1941 with 9-12 Brewster Buffaloes and was stationed at Kallang Airfield.

He first saw action on 12 January 1942 during a Japanese air raid over Singapore. A formation of Japanese bombers escorted by five Ki-27 Nates were sighted at 1000 hours. They were intercepted by three Dutch Buffaloes, who succeeded in chasing them away, damaging one of the bombers. When they returned in the afternoon, Deibel and two other pilots were scrambled to intercept them, encountering nine Ki-27s. Deibel claimed two of them before being shot down himself. He was hospitalised for four days after suffering a wounded head.[2]

His squadron returned to Java on 18 January, missing out on the Battle of Singapore. Deibel followed eight Buffaloes to Semplak, while 23 others flew to Andir and Tjilitian.[2]

File:ML-KNIL 2-VLG-V Logo.png
Emblem of unit 2-VLG-V. The unit Deibel belonged to.

Dutch East Indies

When a formation of 35 Japanese aircraft attacked Semplak on 19 February, eight Buffaloes (including Deibel) engaged them. Deibel managed to fire twice at an A6M Zero, but was wounded by a 20 mm shell ten minutes later, forcing him to land. 11 Japanese planes were shot down, with the Dutch losing four Buffaloes and two pilots. The raid destroyed three RAF Lockheed Hudsons and two KNILM Sikorskys.[2]

On 7 March, Japanese troops had reached the plateau of Lembang. Deibel, along with Lieutenant Gerard Bruggink and Officer Cadet Jan Scheffer, volunteered to join Captain Jacob van Helsdingen on his mission using the last three working Buffalo aircraft. The four pilots took off from Andir airfield and proceeded to Lembang to provide air support for ground troops fighting in the city.

Helsdingen's squadron travelled 200 metres when they encountered a Japanese aircraft, which Deibel attacked before it escaped. Some time later, three Japanese A6M Zeros appeared. Deibel fired at two of them which turned away, but was hit in the oil tank by the third Zero and had to break off from combat. His wingman, Scheffer, escorted him back to Andir airfield under a tropical rainstorm, shooting down a Nakajima Ki-43 fighter.[3] One of Deibel's landing gears, damaged during the fight, broke off from his aircraft, causing it to crash in a ground loop. He survived without sustaining any injuries. Helsdingen and Bruggink remained above Lembang, but were now dogfighting six Zeroes. Helsdingen was soon shot down, but Bruggink managed to escape into the clouds before returning to Andir airfield. Dutch forces in Lembang surrendered the next day. All four Dutch pilots were awarded the Military William Order on 14 July 1948.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Deibel, August Gerard
  2. ^ a b c Brewster Buffalo: in Dutch service
  3. ^ Kari Stenman, Chris Davey, Andrew Thomas (2010). Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-481-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Bibliography
  • Stenman, Kari and Andrew Thomas. Brewster F2A Buffalo Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978-1-84603-481-7.

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