Officier-vlieger J. Blok

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Today I found a new picture of Johannes Blok: it is featured in the documentary “Dutch Wings over Jackson”. Johannes is the man on the front row right. If anyone knows the names of the other Dutch pilots, please let me know!

The documentary is well worth watching - see https://youtu.be/preyJJl1Xws?t=537

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Seeing the white tropical uniforms and Warrant Pilot rank insignia, I think this picture was made during their training period in the Netherlands East Indies.

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

77 years ago today: Johannes Blok was buried at St. Canice's Church, Eglinton, on 30 March 1944 - three days after his fatal crash. His fellow 1847 Sqn pilots are lined up to pay their final respects.

After WW2 Johannes was reburied in a family grave at Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

While I am not a fan of colourisation and other enhancements, I must say recent software advancements do help to make original footage come alive.

Here is an example: the DruidWorks YouTube channel uses software to enhance original wartime footage. The link below show a few clips of aircraft crashing on carrier decks, or dropping off into the water… The enhanced colour and sounds surely help to make the original footage more realistic and reminds us of how dangerous carrier operations were.

https://youtu.be/XeLh-9JDWoM

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Yesterday an important family memento was handed over to me: Johannes Blok’s military Pierce Chronograph watch!
After Johannes perished in his crash on 27 March 1944, his possessions were collected by the Royal Netherlands Naval headquarters in London to be handed over to his parents at a later date. This happened only after the cessation of hostilities, when Johannes’ remains and possessions were transported to the Netherlands where Johannes was reburied.
Harmen Blok (my grandfather from my mother’s side), was given his brother’s watch. After his death in 2000 it was handed over to my uncle Johan Blok, who was named after Johannes. During the month of the 80th anniversary of Johannes’ passing, Johan handed over the watch to me. I am chuffed to be the caretaker of this personal effect, and will make sure to keep his memory alive.

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[Ed Storey]

That is a fantastic artefact from a family member who gave his life during the war and you are indeed very fortunate to now be the caretaker of the watch. I cannot think of a better person who should have it.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thank you, Ed. It is good to see family members entrust me to take care of historic family artifacts.

[Alex van de Wetering]

excellent Hanno.....this artifact suddenly makes the history seem so much closer.