VELDHUYZEN VAN ZANTEN, Ida Laura
	PERSONALIA   Name:  Veldhuyzen van Zanten, Ida Laura Date of birth:  Unknown Nationality:  Dutch Description:  Ida Laura Veldhuyzen van Zanten, has the honour to be the only woman pilot to receive the Dutch Vliegerskruis (Flying Cross). She grew up in a family with six brothers. After having been rejected for a solicitation as stewardess with the KLM, she decided to make her fortune elsewhere. She took a flying course in Great Britain and received her Flying Brevet A in 1938. Again in the Netherlands she pleaded her case with the director of KLM, Dr. Plesman. Finally she was hired as a stewardess. When the Second World War broke out in September 1939, Ida worked with the KLM, but changed to a job as hostess with the Van Nieveld Goudriaan Shipping. After this she became a volunteer to help the injured of the bombardment of Rotterdam on May 14th 1940. After two failed attempts to reach Britain, she finally succeeded reaching Switzerland. Helped by former KLM people, she made her way to Britain by plane on August 13th 1942 from Lisbon to London. At first she worked with the intelligence Office, where she met Prins Bernhard. He managed to get her into the WAAF’s. Here she was transferred to the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), an organisation which transports the airplanes from the factory to the military bases.             KRUIS VAN VERDIENSTE (KV) Rank: Burger (Civilian) Received on: 1 October 1942 Action: Original Citation: "For in time of war with great care preparing their escape from occupied territory of the Netherlands and quick and with care escaping to England, an action that was with great danger by possible actions of the enemy." Details: Royal Decree No. 4 dd. October 1st 1942         DEFENCE MEDAL 1939-1945         VLIEGERKRUIS (VK) Rank: Burger (Civilian) Unit: Air Transport Auxiliary Received on: 7 February 1948 Action: Original Citation: "Has distinguishing herself through actions of initiative, bravery and persistence during one or more flights in an aircraft during hostile action, by in the period of May 18th 1943 until September 30th 1945, being placed in the rank of officer with the organisation of the Air Transport Auxiliary, has as pilot transported several types of aircraft of the Allied Air Forces from the factories in Great Britain to several War Bases and thereby made 583 flying hours." Details: Royal Decree No. 15 dd. Februari 7, 1948         VERZETSHERDENKINGSKRUIS (VHK)         Provide alterations or additional information Picture source:   - Wilvo vermeer Information source(s):   - Meijer H.G. en R. Vis, Het Vliegerkruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1997