The SAAF Forum

Incident 3

I do not have much info on this, but I do know the pilot

Cadet Carl Sverre Leisegang #105983V date November 4, 1935 at Irene, Pretoria South Africa in a an aircraft quoted to be a DH 9

Leisegang was involved in the ditching of #133 DH9 in Hartbeespoort Dam on 29 April 1936 but this is an earlier incident - Unless dates and circumstances have been mixed up over time) but all evidence I have is that 29 April 1936 did not involve a parachute. According to Leisegang’s accident report they were at a height of approximately 300 to 500 feet when they

“both dived down low” over the Dam. “Cadet R A Blackwell was in front and to my left. He turned to the left and I followed and I got in his slipstream. My machine suddenly dropped, struck the water and turned over on its back. I was hanging in the cockpit under the surface but after releasing my harness I worked my way to the surface and sat on the rear portion of the fuselage. By then Cadet Blackwell had seen me and I signalled to him to go back to the Aerodrome and report the accident.”

Furthermore the specific distances between locations (Irene and Hartbeespoort Dam) indicate to me that we are dealing with 2 specific separate incidents

Leisegang later earned a DSO and was a Brig General

Birthdate: December 21, 1913
Death: Died March 6, 1986

Again any additional information much appreciated

Paul

Some interesting historical details Paul, what's your research interest?

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

I am trying to identity all British and Commonwealth Parachute Escapes up to April 1940 worldwide

First June 17th, 1926 in UK, last April 29, 1940

So UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa and NZ

The above Order, purely on numbers involved (Largest-> Smallest)



I have added 1 incident in Eire as well

Also those involving UK personnel on Foreign Registered Aircraft and Foreign Registered Aircraft on "Commonwealth" countries

and those who later became British Citizens so Robert Kronfeld in Germany July 22, 1932 is also on my list

So French aircraft Potez 34 F-AJHU in Burma December 22, 1929 is in my list

That's a HUGE task ... good luck!

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Dean

Around 500 names so far

And I think I will never get to 100% on names but I think I am at 90% on detail on those I have got already

Paul