A WWII bomber turned 104-years-old Monday and spoke about his time at war, and the much longer battle after the final shot was fired. Andre Hissink was born in the Dutch Indies in 1919, and his Dutch military service began in 1939. After escaping in 1940 after the Germans stormed the Netherlands, he fought alongside the British in the 320 Dutch Squadron.
Hissink saw 69 war flights as a bomber in that time, including having to parachute to safety after being shot down by German forces during one run. He lost his Dutch citizenship after accepting post-war employment in New Zealand, as the Netherlands government rarely support dual nationalities. A decision which incensed Hissink.
Hissink fought to reclaim his citizenship for 70 years after the war, finally receiving it in a special ceremony last year. His one condition: He could remain a Canadian, the country he said welcomed him decades ago when he moved here for work.
written by: G. Deme