Assignments of 122 Squadron
By Roel Bazuin
- 3 minutes read - 485 wordsInitially the squadron was given the task of attacking the forest edge with rockets, bombs and machine guns.
At the end of November 1946, the Commanding officer for North Sumatra gave the order to 'purify’[1] and permanently occupy the area around the airport. In December 1946 the 122th flew 86 operational sorties.
"Medan airport under mortar fire. During the night of 20 to 21 December, malicious mortar shells were aimed at the airfield, which exploded 20 meters away from a B-25. Intensive machine-gun and rifle fire from the south was also fired at the airfield. In the early morning machine-gun and rifle fire was delivered south of the city. No losses on the Dutch side.""
> Nederlandsche Dagbladpers te Batavia - 23-12-1946
1947
At the start of 1947 the squadron was very active. In addition to the actions around the city and airport, support was given to ground troops in the area[2].
Battle on Sumatra. The military message reports that air forces and artillery were deployed against republican troops who had advanced. On Dutch side, two people were killed and five injured. Thursday a big action has been taken to protect the city housing area and airport against republican bombs.
De Heerenveensche koerier - 04-01-1947]
In addition to supporting actions by ground forces, the security of the important Belawan - Medan road was also an important task for the squadron.
On February 15 there was a massive attack on Medan, in which the 122th played a very active role. The attack was repulsed.
A number of times they flew to Padang (Central Sumatra) from Tabing airport [3] to give air support to ground troops.
During the same period, 5-hour reconnaissance flights were made along the coast from Aceh to Kota Tadja, using Sabang for stopovers.
In 1947, 451 sorties were flown and 599 non-operational flights, a total of 1181 flight hours.
1948
Door de geringe personele bezetting waren de activiteiten van het squadron beduidend minder dan in 1947. Uitgezonderd de maand december na de start van de 2de politionele actie op 15 november.
In 1948 voerde men 253 operationele en 717 niet-operationele vluchten uit met in totaal 1104 vlieguren.
1949
Due to the limited staffing, the activities of the squadron were considerably less than in 1947. Except for the month of December after the start of the 2nd police action on November 15.
In 1948 253 operational and 717 non-operational flights were carried out with a total of 1104 flight hours.
1950
One of the last assignments of the 122th was to deliver a farewell escort on 7 April 1950 for ms. 'Willem Ruys', who was on his way to the Netherlands.