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The
Norwegian Air Force 1940.
In 1940 the Norwegian Air Force
was not very well developed. In northern Norway the
entire air force consisted of 6 Fokker aeroplanes
stationed in Finn mark. This was "Hålogaland
Aircraft Division".
During
the German attach on Norway, 9th April 1940 this division
were ordered to "Bardufoss" airport to participate
in the on going battles.
After
a dramatic journey through Snowstorms and emergency
landings the group reach "Bardufoss". Joined
by a "Tiger Moth" observation plane, the
six "Fokkers" were immediately put to service.
The
pilots flew countless missions observing and photographing
German movements and strongholds. Even bomb attacks
were carried out. They even developed their own bombsight,
called "The German Killer"…..
16th
of April Fokker 381 is scrapped caused by German machine
gun fire.
20th
of April Fokker 379 crashes at "Målselv
Airfield". In heavy wind the pilot couldn't get
his plane airborne, so he cut his engine and managed
to steer the plane between the pillars of a bridge,
realising he couldn't manage to fly over the bridge.
25
th of April Fokker 383 is lost in heavy whether. Both
pilots parachuted to safety. When
the snow starts to melt, other problems turn up. The
crew only had two pairs of wheels for the remaining
planes…..
4
th of May Fokker 389 ran into a dramatic dogfight
south of Bardufoss Airfield. Both pilots,
ltn.Eggen and scout Håkon Kyllingmark are both
seriously injured. Ltn. Eggen suffers most while trapped
in the wreck with the engine resting in his lap. The
Fokker crashed at a speed of 200 km.h. and it's a
miracle they both survived the impact. Kyllingmark
passed out several times, while going for help suffering
a broken ankle.
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