Adventures of a Flying Dutchman

In this entertaining and vividly illustrated autobiography, we embark on an epic journey through the life of Rudi Idzerda—an individual whose existence seems almost larger than life itself. Born on the lush island of Java, during the days when it was known as the Dutch East Indies, Rudi came into the world under the warm embrace of both Dutch and Malay heritage. His early years were spent in the lap of privilege, surrounded by the exotic allure of a colonial household, where the presence of servants and a diverse array of pets sparked within him a fervent passion for the natural world.

Rudi's youth was marked by adventure and exploration, accompanying his father on hunting expeditions to the fabled lands of Bali, where the roar of tigers still echoed through the jungles. Yet, as often happens in the great narrative of life, the tides of history shifted unexpectedly. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 shattered the serenity of Rudi's existence. By 1940, he found himself drafted into the Royal Netherlands Navy, journeying across the vast oceans to the United States. There, in the heartland of America, he honed his skills as a pilot at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Jackson, Mississippi.

With wings earned and courage tested, Rudi returned to the Dutch East Indies in 1944. He took to the skies with the 120 Squadron of the Netherlands Indies Air Force in Merauke, New Guinea, piloting the formidable Curtiss P-40 over territories shadowed by conflict. His daring flights often brought him perilously close to capture by Japanese forces, yet he emerged unscathed.

The war's end saw Rudi rejoin the Dutch Naval Air Service, where he commanded the skies in Catalinas and Dakotas until 1948. His expertise next led him to the Netherlands, where he played a pivotal role in the trials of the Sikorsky S-51 helicopter—an aircraft set to revolutionize the Dutch armed forces. His subsequent assignment aboard the HMS Karel Doorman, the Netherlands' lone aircraft carrier, saw him piloting both the Hawker Sea Fury and the Sikorsky S-51, nicknamed ‘Jezebel,’ during the dramatic rescues of the ‘Great Flood’ in 1953.

In 1957, Rudi achieved another milestone by collecting the nation's inaugural jet aircraft—a Hawker Sea Fury—from the UK, and flying it triumphantly back to the Netherlands. A similar mission in 1961 took him to the Lockheed factory in Burbank, California, to retrieve a Neptune aircraft, which he piloted across the vast expanse of the Pacific to Biak, New Guinea. There, he participated in sea patrols during Indonesia's quest for independence and played a key role in the search for the missing ethnologist Michael Rockefeller. Although Rockefeller remained elusive, Rudi and his crew succeeded in rescuing his companion, Rene Wassing, leaving behind a story steeped in intrigue and mystery.

As Rudi's illustrious career progressed, he served as a military advisor at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, eventually reaching the esteemed rank of Rear Admiral before retiring in 1975. Retirement, however, was merely a new beginning. For the following decade, he dedicated himself to the World Wildlife Fund, traveling far and wide to enhance the efficiency of its national branches. His journeys took him across Europe, India, Pakistan, and Thailand, where he forged connections with royalty and business magnates, alongside his beloved wife, Toni.

Rudi Idzerda's autobiography is not just a recounting of events; it is a tapestry woven from the threads of history, adventure, and the indomitable spirit of a man who lived life to its fullest.

Publisher - Woodfield Publishing Ltd

Language - English

Perfect Bound

Contributors

By author

Rudolf J. Idzerda

Published Date - 2006-01-01

ISBN - 9781846830143

Dimensions - 23.4 x 15.6 x 1.5 cm

Page Count - 262