Michael Anderson (cricketer, born 1916)

Michael Anderson (11 December 1916 – 10 May 1940) was an English first-class cricketer who played his games for Cambridge University Cricket Club and the Free Foresters.[1] His highest score of 60 came when playing for the Free Foresters in the match against Cambridge University.[2] He also played 2 Minor Counties Championship games for Hertfordshire Cricket Club.[3]

Michael Anderson
Personal information
Full nameMichael Anderson
Born(1916-12-11)11 December 1916
Devonport, Plymouth, England
Died10 May 1940(1940-05-10) (aged 23)
near Hoogvliet, Netherlands
BattingRight hand batsmen
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1937Cambridge University Cricket Club
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 4
Runs scored 92
Batting average 18.40
100s/50s -/1
Top score 60
Balls bowled 0
Wickets 0
Bowling average -
5 wickets in innings -
10 wickets in match -
Best bowling -
Catches/stumpings 3/3
Source: , 12 August 2008

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.[4][5][6][7][8]

References
  1. "First-class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Michael Anderson". Cricket archive. 12 August 2008.
  2. "Cambridge University v Free Foresters". Cricket archive. 12 August 2008.
  3. "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by Michael Anderson (2)". Cricket archive. 12 August 2008.
  4. McCrery, Nigel. The Coming Storm. Pen and Sword. p. 3.
  5. "Lieutenant Michael Herbert Anderson". Find a Grave. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  6. "1940-05-10 Blenheim Mk IF". www.sites.google.com/site/wo2vpr1. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  7. "Bombardment of Waalhaven airfield, 10 May 1940". tracesofwar.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. Accident description for Blenheim L1515 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 March 2020.
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