Captain Jacob P. van Helsdingen
Hero of the Dutch East Indies, 1941-1942

The ML-KNIL Captain Jacob P. van Helsdingen commanded the squadron of Buffaloes which fought over Singapore. He scored some kills, during the whole Netherlands East Indies Campaign 1941-1942 a total of three aircraft, and was afterwards sent to Eastern Borneo (Samarinda II) with what was left of his squadron.

He escorted Glenn Martin bombers on their sorties, and was one of the pilots who bombed the Japanese invasion fleet off Balikpapan. After Samarinda II was discovered, the Japanese launched air attacks on the airfield. Van Helsdingen took off once with an aircraft whose machine-guns jammed. He then attacked bombers without being able to harm them, for the sole purpose to inspire his men.

He then returned to Java where he was engaged in many air battles against Japanese Zero's, and was grounded on March 1 1942 while stationed on Andir. It was the idea to send him to Australia to command the contingent of cadet-pilots. Then the assignment arrives to support the infantry near Lembang. There were plenty of fighter pilots, but only four Brewsters still flyable. He asks for volunteers. All pilots present volunteered and he appoints four pilots. Then he changes his mind. One of the pilots is married, so he takes the man's place. Van Helsdingen was married himself.....Van Helsdingen picks out the worst Brewster, takes off and was shot down.