2-VLG-V

Before the war in Europe, the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (ML-KNIL) consisted of old planes and a handful of pilots.

This would be a fighter division, consisting mainly of Curtiss-Wright Model 21 Interceptors and Brewster B-339C/D Buffalos.

When at the end of June the first interceptors arrived, a second squadron within this division was created on 1 July 1941, 2-VLG-V.

So did Deibel, who was shot down above Singapore with B-3100, and crashed with B-398 received the former aircraft of squadron leader Van Helsdingen.

Below is a short list of the re-arrangement as far as known: On 19 January, 8 Buffalos from 2-VLG-V intercepted a formation of about 35 Japanese bombers with an escort of about 20 Zeros.

One Japanese transport was claimed sunk, but the Glenn Martins also lost one of their number; Lieutenant B. Groenendijk and his crew were killed in action.

[4] On 7 March 1942, van Helsdingen was given the order to give air support to Royal Dutch East Indies Army forces fighting in Lembang.

Despite the Japanese having an almost complete air superiority over Java, he nevertheless chose to take off from Andir airfield.

[2] The three other pilots were: 1st Lieutenant August Deibel, Sergeant Gerard Bruggink and Officer Cadet Jan Scheffer.

His wingman, Scheffer, escorted him back to Andir airfield, where Deibel crash landed his aircraft without injury.

Van Helsdingen was soon shot down, but Bruggink managed to escape into the clouds before returning to Andir airfield.