The Bf 109 that initially attacked him was swerving to catch up to the G.1, but 1e Lt. Gerben Sonderman employed the Fokker’s superior maneuverability to turn into a firing position on the German
German forces invaded the Netherlands in what was intended to be a swift surgical strike to fortify the right flank of the assault on France and Belgium. A Dutch surrender was anticipated within 24 hours thanks to a daring plan that heavily relied on the Luftwaffe air power, air-landing troops, and the largest airborne assault ever.
Nonetheless, the Netherlands had the first completely integrated anti-aircraft network in Europe as well as modern and effective aircraft, as described by Ryan K. Noppen in his book Holland 1940 The Luftwaffe’s First Setback in the West.
1e Luitenant Gerben Sonderman boarded his Fokker G.1, 311 that was stationed on the northwest corner of the tarmac at 0430 hours on May 10, 1940, just as the Heinkel He 111s of II./KG 4 started their attack against Waalhaven Airfield. While his gunner removed the wheel chocks after his mechanics started the aircraft’s engines, Sonderman proceeded to taxi. His gunner was still boarding the cockpit when Sonderman applied full power and lifted off. Within the 3e JaVA, Sonderman was likely the best pilot.
He was experienced in doing aerobatic performances in most of the Fokker planes used by the ML and knew the limits to which he could push his G.1. He served as the chief test pilot for the Fokker company from 1938 until he was enlisted in the military in early 1940.
Sonderman could see a Ju 52 flying above him as he climbed. As the G.1 zoomed past the slow transport, Sonderman fired a burst with his eight machine guns, forcing the Ju 52 to immediately dive for cover. Sonderman promptly re-entered pursuit of the transport after executing a tight turn with his G.1. A second gun burst sent the lumbering transport down. After being forced to land on the Oude Maas south of Rotterdam, this Ju 52, no. 6404 from 9./KGzbV.l, and 15 Fallschirmjäger from III./IR16 were captured as prisoners.
As Sonderman watched the Ju 52 go down, bullets tore through the G.1A’s radio set as a Bf 109 flew past from above. Sonderman took evasive action and observed several Bf 109s to his rear; he had been bounced by the Bf 109Ds of 10. (N)/JG 2.
The fighter who initially attacked him was turning to catch up to the G.1, but Sonderman exploited the G.1’s greater maneuverability to turn himself into a firing position on the German. The Bf 109 fell after being hit by machine gun fire (the identity and fate of the aircraft are unknown). As more German planes surrounded him, Sonderman kept flying evasively and using aerobatic maneuvers to move around the faster single-engine fighters. One of the Bf 109s attempted a head-on attack against the G.1 but missed after making a wide turn.
After dodging the incoming fire, Sonderman fired back before turning to avoid a collision. His marksmanship was excellent because the Bf 109 was struck and last seen diving toward the ground.
Feldwebel Peter Keller of 10.(N)/JG 2, who was flying this Bf 109D, was captured after a forced landing south of Rotterdam. Keller was later sent to a Prisoner camp in Canada. As soon as Sonderman recognized his supply of ammo was running short, he separated from the surviving Bf 109s and started moving westward toward the sea. Yet the chase had not yet come to an end. Sonderman noticed a He 111 heading east at a low altitude as he got closer to the coast. Sonderman approached the bomber from behind and fired the last of his rounds into it.
Sonderman’s final kill happened to be He 111 5J+DA, Oberst Martin Fiebig’s aircraft. Fiebig and three other members of his crew were captured when the bomber belly-landed in a farm field and held captive for the duration of the Meidagen. Sonderman, who had run out of ammo, decided it was vital to land and noticed a flat area of the beach below him that would make a good landing area. After Sonderman landed G.1A 311 on a beach close to Oostvoorne, he was soon joined by two of his 3e JaVA comrades.
The German attack on May 10 was only partially successful, and the Dutch continued to fight for a further four days. The Luftwaffe turned to terror bombing Rotterdam on the fifth day to force a surrender after its initial plan had mainly fallen short.
Holland 1940 The Luftwaffe’s first setback in the West is published by Osprey Publishing and is available to order here.
Photo by Adam Tooby via Osprey Publishing
