HISTORY
5. 'Police action' Operation 'Product'
By Roel Bazuin
- 4 minutes read - 781 words
1e operation: "Product"
"The first police action began between July 21, 1947 and August 5, 1947 [1] was code-named" Operation Product ". It’s goal was to get hold of rubber, tobacco, sugar, tea, etc. to help pay for the costs of the war (3 million guilders per day)."
In July 1947, 122(NEI)sqn had 4 operational ic fly-ready P-51’s out of a total of 9 available P-51 fighter aircraft and 10 pilots.
During the 1st 'police action', the squadron was used for the operation "Pelikaan".
This intended the elimination of the enemy AURI. They placed enemy aircraft on Lhonga and Kotaradja airports.
Support was also given to the Dutch ground troops using 250 and 500 pound bombs, 40 and 70 pound rockets and the P-51 on-board armament. Observations were done by Piper Cubs and a Lockheed L-12.
The squadron supported the advance of the troops of the {zbrigade} [Z-Brigade] [2] in their advance to Arnhemia, Loeboek Pakam, Tebingtinggi, Pematang Siantar and Leboek Balai and conducted many (offensive) reconnaissance flights.
During the 1st police action, the 122 squadron flew 203 (338 flight hours) sorties (between 21 July and 30 September). Footnote:[https://www.ipms.nl/artikelen/nedmil-luchtvaart/vliegtuigen-n/ aircraft-n-northam-p51]
After the 1st police action, the activities of the squadron were considerably less. This was mainly due to a shortage of staff and spare equipment. Purification actions would continue until the end of September 1947 and until then air forces had been in action repeatedly.
On January 17, 1948, an agreement was concluded at the 'Renville' in Tanjong Priok, including a cease-fire clause. After this, the number of incidents fell considerably. After March 1948 they increased again. The Netherlands and the Republic were unable to reach agreement on how the agreements from the 'Renville agreement' should be implemented.
21 juli |
'Pelikaan' against Lhonga airport. I-I RI support[3] en Z-Brig[4] met aanvallen in de buurt van Arnhemia |
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22 juli |
destruction of enemy defense artillery, bombardment of trenches and positions at Arnhemia. Destruction of motorcycle column at Brastagi |
13 sorties |
23 juli |
Assignments for Staf Z-Brig. and evening explorations at Arnhhemia. Report positions of own troops and stop enemy troops |
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24 juli |
Machine gunning targets in operating sector of Z-Brig. 3 sorties for artillery observation in the Padan sector |
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25 juli |
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26 juli |
Attack airports Kotaradja and Lhonga. Machine gunning ground installations, hangars and anti-aircraft guns (destroyed). Exploring roads and yards along the railroad to Pemantang Siantar |
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27 juli |
Numerous flights where infantry support, guarding the road network for detecting enemy ship movements were the main tasks. Explorations to the south and west of Medan (1 P-51). Shedding of leaflets and containers commissioned by Z-Brigade. Major fires observed at Baoengan |
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29 juli |
Many flights commissioned by Z-Brigade. Strafed enemy troops on the Loeboek-Pakam-Tebingtinggi road. Machine gun nests at Kedaslama rendered harmless. Machine gunned enemy traffic on the Tebingtinggi-Bangoean road. Attacked skattered troops on their way back to Pematang Siantar and Tanjong Balai |
damage to 1 P-51 (Kedaslama) |
29 juli |
Numerous times support for infantry and protection convoys between Loepoek Pakan and Tebingtinggi |
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30 juli |
Support for infantry commissioned by Z-Brig. Exploring Siabtar field near Brastagi by Lockheed L12, saw own troops on field and reported ready for Piper Cubs. |
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31 juli |
A few times column security. Attack enemy forces at Brastagi who were building roadblocks |
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1 augustus |
Exploring the W-sector and surroundings of Brastagi. Destroyed trucks at Tanjong Poera. Strafed roadblocks at Bandar Mariah. own columns discovered and protected. Exploring own troops on the Pematang Siantar - Kabandjahe road and Brastagi area by Lockheed L-12. Then support by P-51s. |
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Resolution (Australia and India initiative) Australia adopted in UN calling on NL and IND to immediately stop hostilities |
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2 augustus |
Exploration Prapat, Brastagi and Kabandjahe who now appeared to be occupied by own troops. Observed roadblocks on the road between Pemantang Siantar and Prapat. |
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3 augustus |
2 reconnaissance flights in which enemy troops were machine gunned. Observation trains near Tebingtinggi |
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NL accepts UN resolution "political action goals" almost achieved " |
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4 augustus |
Support for columns near Tebingtinggi and Tandjoeng Balai. Offensive explorations between Pangkalan and Tanjoeng Poera and the Pemantang Siantar-Prapat road. Observing occupation of Tanjoeng Balai. Support by P51s on northwest and east front troops |
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The first Police action ended at midnight. |
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5 augustus |
IND orders midnight to stop firing after accepting UN resolution |