Albertus Perk

Albertus Perk joined the Dutch field artillery as a 2nd lieutenant in 1909, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1912, shortly after his participation in the Stockholm Olympics as a fencer. Between 1912-14 he some minor results in Dutch fencing competition.

Perk joined the burgeoning Dutch Air Force at Soesterberg, where he became Head of the Photography department. On 14 May 1919, he departed from Soesterberg Air Base for København (Denmark), as an observer on board one of two Rumpler C.VIII military planes. His plane was piloted by fellow lieutenant Duinker. Around two hours into the flight, between the German towns of Ramsloh and Hollen, the plane was spotted with a cloud tail, later determined to have likely been caused by a leaky gas line. An explosion followed, killing both men, with Perk being thrown out of the aircraft before it crashed. After a short ceremony in Ramsloh, Perk and his pilot were transported back to the Netherlands.