Cannot find the following DFC in London Gazette. Anyone have any ideas?. Is it because he was serving with RNAF?. Any idea where I might get citation details? ORB:20/6/44 - F/L J. t'Hart (Netherlands) decorated on a Squadron Parade by Air Officer Commanding Path Finder Force with the DFC. Robin WWW.156Squadron.com
I haven't been able to find his citation. He did get a bar to his DFC on 23 Feb 1945, while still with 156. Maybe you can try contacting the webmaster of www.onderscheidingen.nl , a site about all Dutchmen getting military decorations and Allied soldiers receiving Dutch decorations. You can reach him at ErikHMuller@hotmail.com <ErikHMuller@hotmail.com>
Stevin To the rescue again. Thanks. Some time ago I found a reference to t'Hart on a Dutch website but now cannot find it again. Will try Erik, but still cannot understand why not in London Gazette. Also 156 ORB does not indicate Bar to award. Regards Robin www.156Squadron.com
I received a reply back from Erik, who has confirmed the dates of the awards to F/Lt t'Hart. Erik was of the opinion that awards to "foreigners" were not published in the London Gazette? Canada and OZ were not foreigners? Perhaps the Commonwealth link made us "less foreign"? I am still keen to locate an "Official" source for these awards and if possible a copy of the citations. Anyone know where I might find these? Thanks Robin www.156Squadron.com
Apologies for the delayed reply, but I've just joined and have been trawling around for queries that I can answer! The standard published listing of DFCs is the 2-volume "The Distinguished Flying Cross and how it was won 1918-1995" by Nick and Carol Carter. This has the following two entries in the Netherlands section: t'Hart, Jacob. Acting Flt Lt (147634). RDNAS. 156 Sqn. Approved 3 Jun 1944. t'Hart, Jacob. DFC. Acting Flt Lt (147634). RNNAS. 156 Sqn. Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Approved 23 Feb 1945. Of the 43 Dutch DFCs listed in the book (plus one award of the Bar), very few entries are accompanied by a citation. Sadly, there are no citations for t'Hart, despite him being the only recipient of a Bar. Erik is correct when he says that awards to foreigners were not usually published in the London Gazette. In the same way, the publication of foreign awards to British service personnel is also rather hit-and-miss. This can make researching foreign awards very difficult. The authors of the book write the following in the introduction to the foreign section: -------------- HONORARY AWARDS The details in this listing of honorary awards to foreign nationals were not generally published in the London Gazette and are mainly to be found in the Air30 files held at the Public Record Office, with some of the later awards to be found in Air2 files. To be more specific, details of awards for the Great War were taken from the cited Air Ministry Lists within Air2:2837/9365, except for that to King Albert of the Belgians, which was given in Air2:207(101335/21); details of awards for the Second World War from Air30:157(1940), Air30:163(1941), Air30:170(1942), Air30:175(1943), Air30:181(1944), Air30:186(1945), and Air30:201(1946); and details of awards for the Korean War from Air30:209, and Air2:12420. The information available is often sketchy and even differs from file to file. Within this publication, the names and approved dates are those to be found in the Air30 files. Often Air2 files of recommendations give different dates, and they also include recommendations that appear to have been approved, but which did not in fact lead to the award of a Distinguished Flying Cross. One award which is endorsed as approved was later cancelled, with the official explanation recorded in a memorandum. This entry for LAWLOR (USA) has been included in the register. This listing of honorary awards is possibly not complete in that the number of awards differs from that given in British Gallantry Awards; hence any information which helps to explain this discrepancy would be welcomed. The honorary awards citations are taken from either Air30 documents listed above or the following Air2 documents: 9006(USA), 9022(French/USA), 9115(USA), 9311(Italian), 10444(French), 12419(Norwegian), 12420(USA)(Korean War). At the end of the Second World War listing, there is a postscript concerning recommendations to Italian airmen who flew for the Allied cause. Further information can be found in Air2:12037. ----------------- Hope that helps. Forrest
Forrest Thanks for that very complete response. One of these days I will endeavour to track down the details on t'Hart, but it seems that it may be a long process! Robin Riley www.156Squadron.com
Dear Robin, I knew Jaap t'Hart (Jack as he was known to me) as he was my neighbour in Auckland New Zealand when I was a little boy and we lived next door to him and his wife Yopie (a Dutch resistance fighter). I also know their daughters, sons in law and I am friends with their grandson. Sadly Jack died a number of years ago and is survived by his daughters. I am still in touch with them and I am aware that they still have all his flight records and war service records. If you are still interested in obtaining further information about Jack I would be more than happy to help. I was hoping to share some of his history on the anniversary of his DFC award and came across the 156squadron website and this site. Kind regards Aaron Wood
Dear Aaron, I came across your post whilst researching my Uncle, Sergeant Lawrence Allan BRIDGES, 1577300 R.A.F.V.R., he served in 103 squadron and then 156 squadron as a wireless operator and I believe Jack T’Hart was his skipper. Unfortunately Allan passed away some years ago when he was only 46, before I was born. I have a long letter that Jack wrote to Allan’s daughter Sharon in 1971 which mentions he moved to New Zealand and had 2 daughters. I’m looking to find any information regarding Jack and his crew or possibly contact with his family for the same reasons. I would be very grateful if you could assist me in this. Thank you Phil Bridges
