Michael Anderson (cricketer, born 1916)


Michael Anderson was an English first-class cricketer who played his games for Cambridge University Cricket Club and the Free Foresters. His highest score of 60 came when playing for the Free Foresters in the match against Cambridge University.
He also played 2 Minor Counties Championship games for Hertfordshire Cricket Club.

Military career and death

Anderson joined the Royal Air Force in 1936 and was made a Pilot Officer. He was stationed with No. 600 Squadron RAF at RAF Manston in Kent flying Bristol Blenheims. On 10 May 1940, Anderson and his air gunner Leading Aircraftman Herbert Hawkins were assigned to a mission to bombard Waalhaven airfield near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The six Blenheims involved in the mission were ambushed whilst returning to base by twelve Bf-110s near Spijkenisse. Hawkins shot down one of the attacking Bf-110s over Spijkenisse, but it was too much for the underequipped Blenheims. Anderson and Hawkins' aircraft was chased by a single Bf-110, and one of the engines burst due to German fire above Hoogvliet. Forced to attempt a crash landing, Anderson crashed the plane into a field near Hoogvliet. Both Anderson and Hawkins were killed in the landing, Anderson being decapitated and losing a leg in the accident. Out of the six Blenheims ambushed, 5 were shot down and another escaped with severe damages. Anderson and Hawkins are buried in Spijkenisse Old General Cemetery.