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PostPosted: 02 Jan 2019, 13:19 
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The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the second oldest Commonwealth air force in the World. South African pilots and support crews have participated in various conflicts and operations since World War 1. They have also served with distinctions on other conflicts since the early days of the application of military air power, e.g. serving in the Royal Flying Corps. This ‘diary’ is a tribute to all the military South African aviators and support staff/services which contributed to our country’s ability to deliver and project Air Power.

This thread used only open source material and naturally there will be gaps in ‘historical operational records’ due to the lack of published data and or on-line archive availability. The most accurate records re SAAF operations has been extracted from official World War 2 operations records, all other information is a collation from sources on the internet, on-line publications (e-books) and publications.

I hereby wish to acknowledge the contribution of all authors of publications from which information has been extracted, without their publications and research too this diary would not have been possible. I trust that they too can fill in ‘missing’ bits of information from this publication.

There may be errors in some reports; this is not intentional as information is ‘sketchy’ at the best of time, using on-line resources. I do however endeavor to keep this document ‘alive’ and update as information becomes available to me.


Last edited by Spice on 02 Jan 2019, 16:49, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: 02 Jan 2019, 13:28 
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01 January

1918
W.L. Jordan, a South African, serving in the RNAS/RAF during WW 1, flying a Sopwith Camel, successfully shot-down a German Albatros DV (‘Kill # 09’).

1920
The Union of South Africa’s first Aircraft Depot was established at Robert’s Heights under the command of Captain Welch.

1940
40 Squadron was re-established at Air Force Base Bloemspruit as an operational unit equipped with Harvard aircraft.
The School of Photography was formed at Zwartkop Air Station [ZAS] on 1st January 1940 with two Envoy aircraft under command of Captain James Ireland Low, the unit consisted of a Headquarters and one flight.

1941
The 3 Squadron deployment at Garissa, sent a salvage team to search for an Italian Airt Force Caproni, which was shot-down during November 1940.

1942

No 1 Pupil Course commenced at No 44 Air School.
Lt Fisher and A/M de Villiers were fatally injured when Hartbees ‘807’ crashed 15nm from Yavello.
The following combat sorties were flown:
1 Squadron: Three intercept missions were flown (Hurricane), in the Port Sudan area. Four Combat Air Patrol sorties were flown (Gladiator / Hurricane) in the Azaza area. Four Air to Ground training sorties were flown (Gladiator / Hurricane) to the Azaza area.
2 Squadron: A Fury (5760/’208’) ferried inbound to home base, as a ‘aircraft change-over, replacing ‘200’ which departed ‘outbound’ too. A Furry attached to ‘B-2 deployment, ferried to N’Gedes Nest.
3 Squadron: A Hurricane deployed at Garissa conducted ACM training ‘intercepts’ against a ‘Double Eagle.
11 Squadron: A flight of four Battles conducted a ferry sortie from Eastleigh to their home base at Archer’s Post.

1943
The Officer Commanding, 25 Group (Air Commodore Croke) attended the Passing Out Parade of the 17th Air Gunnery Course (43 Air School).
The following aircraft losses were reported:
A Master (2645) crashed during a low-level sortie, both crew sustained fatal injuries.
A Boston crashed during an attempted forced landing
.

1945
22 Squadron remained deployed at ‘The Rock’, i.e. RAF Station – Northern Front – Gibraltar, the New Year also saw five new aircrew members join the unit from South African Air Force Base Depot Station ‘Almaza’.
The following combat sorties were flown:
1 Squadron: Twelve Spitfires performed Air-to-Ground sorties against various gun emplacements. Four Spitfires conducted Armed Reconnaissance missions. Four Spitfires conducted ‘Patrol’ missions. All these sorties were flown from the Forli airfield (Italy).

1951
The following unit changes (re-numbering, re-equipping; closure and or activation) took place:
1 Squadron’s Force element, operating Harvard and Spitfire aircraft became the nucleus of the new 4 Squadron.
8 Squadron was reactivated at Bloemspruit, operating Harvards.
24 Squadron’s active Force element, operating Harvard became a new operational unit, namely 8 Squadron, following the closure of 24 Squadron.
25 Squadron was established at Air Force Base Zwartkop operating Ventura aircraft when 21 Squadron was re-numbered 25 Squadron.
27 Squadron equipped with Ventura aircraft was re-established at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.

1952
A Mustang (350), allocated to 2 Squadron, based in Korea crashed during an operational sortie.

1953
40 Squadron was re-activated as an Active Citizen Force Squadron at Rand Airport, the unit received Harvard aircraft.

1964
The South African Air Force’s helicopter capability was improved with the establishment of No 22 Flight (became 22 Squadron some years later), after it had received its first batch of newly acquired Wasp helicopters. The primary missions of the helicopters were to embark on the South African Navy frigates to conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare missions. The unit was only upgraded to a ‘Squadron’ once all the aircraft were on strength. The Wasp continued to serve till the late 1980’s. It took more than two decades to replace the capability in the South African Air Force with the Lynx helicopters in 2007.

1969
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Vermeulen.

1972
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Coetzee.

1973
Helicopter Conversion Unit (HCU) was re-named 87 Advanced Flying School.

1974
11 Squadron was re-established at Air Force Base Potchefstroom, the fourth time since its original inception.

1976
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1032.

1978
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Kritzinger.

1980
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Burger.

1982
It was reported that the South African Air Force had destroyed a Russian supplied helicopter (presumably a Mi8/17 Hip) during an air-strike on enemy positions in Angola.

1983
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Knoesen.

1984
12 Squadron. Canberra, attacked targets at Cuvelai and Caiundu (Angola) as part of OP ASKARI.

1986
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Meyer.

1989
New Squadron Commanding Officer appointed: 12 Sqn / Cmdt Schabort (last post-war OC).

1993
2 Squadron was re-established at Air Force Base Louis Trichardt, this time equipped with newly acquired Atlas Cheetah C multi-role fighters.

1996
The first ‘firm’ evidence that the South African Air Force (SAAF) has acquired the Israeli Rafael Python 3 short-range infra-red air-to-air missile (AAM) emerged in photographs of an air force Mirage F-1CZ, belonging to 3 Squadron.

1998
The JARIC became responsible for all Air Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence training in the Air Force.

1999
The three C-130F Hercules aircraft, received by the South African Air Force, were put up for sale.
8 Squadron, relocated to AFB Hoedspruit.


02 January

1914
The Union of South Africa Defence Headquarters purchased the Paterson Aviation Syndicate School, with its aircraft and its entire spares package. Defence Headquarters, Pretoria, intimated that authority had been received to take over the reconstructed ‘Paterson Biplane No 36’, but it was not put to any use, and it eventually disappeared many years later, having last been seen in the Cape Town Drill Hall according to Kenny van der Spuy. The subsequent fate of the aircraft has since not been established.

1941
The following combat sorties took place:
1 Squadron: A Gladiator/Hurricane was scrambled to intercept an unidentified aircraft, during the intercept phase, it became apparent that it was an ‘allied aircraft’ the mission returned to home base with no further action. Five Gladiator/Hurricane aircraft performed Escort missions during the day.
2 Squadron: A Fury was scrambled to intercept an unidentified aircraft – mission was unsuccessful.
3 Squadron: Two Hurricanes conducted ACM training from Garissa, practicing intercepts on a Valentia aircraft acting as the ‘target’
.

1942
A Master (2703) crashed during final approach in the Uitkyk area.

1945
Two Hurricanes were written-off in two separate accidents. ‘5280’ Crashed during a Forced Landing, and ‘5288’ loss is attributed to a ‘heavy landing’.
The following combat missions were flown:
1 Squadron: Four Spitfires conducted a long-range escort mission, however during the flight the aircraft were re-tasked to conduct Ground Attacks. Four Spitfires conducted Air-to-Ground attacks on various gun emplacements. Two waves of four Spitfires each, conducted ‘Roger David’ and ‘Cab Rank’ sorties respectively. All the missions were flown from Forli (Italy).

1975
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1006.

1984
12 Squadron. Canberra, attacked targets at Cuvelai and Caiundu (Angola) as part of OP ASKARI.

UPDATES MADE: BOLD ITALIC :!:


Last edited by Spice on 03 Jan 2019, 08:57, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: 02 Jan 2019, 14:42 
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Nice one Spice, nice to see you're picking this up again. :smt023

Just a correction: The SAAF is the second oldest Commonwealth air force in the World.

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PostPosted: 02 Jan 2019, 16:52 
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Hi Dean, pleasure. Edit done too :wink:


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PostPosted: 03 Jan 2019, 08:50 
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03 January

1918
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor became the first South African national to successfully engage and shoot-down an enemy aircraft, whilst serving in the Royal Flying Corps’ 84 Squadron, operating S.E.5a aircraft. The German aircraft was shot-down over French territory. By the end of World War One he had become the RFC’s top Ace, with 54 kills confirmed, as well as the top scoring Balloon-Buster in the British Empire!
W.L Jordan, a South African , serving in the RNAS/RAF during WW 1, flying a Sopwith Camel, successfully shot-down a German Hannover C (‘Kill # 10’).
L.A. Payne, a South African, serving in the RFC/RAF, flying a Bristol Fighter, shot-down a German LVG-C.

1938
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hart 1: Serial(s) – 311 to 314.

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hawker Hart (Trainer) / Serial(s): 442

1943
1 Squadron deployed to Hamraiet.

1944
A 7 Squadron Spitfire (MA294), was involved in a fatal accident, following a low-level roll manoeuvre, in the area of Gamil (Egypt).

1945
22 Squadron reported the withdrawal from service (replacement) of a Ventura (6407), which was replaced with a new aircraft.
Three Spitfires (RR189 [2 Squadron]; MH657 [7 Squadron] & PT647 [7 Squadron]) were lost during operational missions. These aircraft were shot-down by Anti-Aircraft Artillery fire, resulting in one fatality and one pilot being taken Prisoner of War.
The following combat sorties took place:
1 Squadron: Two sorties (four Spitfires each) conducted long-range escort duties for Kittyhawk aircraft. Two sorties (four Spitfires each) conducted Close Air Support missions, against tanks. A sortie (four Spitfires) attacked gun-emplacements too. All missions were flown from Forli (Italy).

1952
A 2 Squadron Mustang (368), based in Korea crashed during an operational sortie.

1975
Information Note: The first deployment of Cuban forces to Angola took place, when these forces arrived in Angola, via Lusaka (Zambia).
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Impala Mk II serial 1007.

1984
Operation ASKARI reached its high point, amongst these was the Air Interdiction/ strike on the Angolan town of Cuvelai. The strike package consisted of ten Impala Mk II and four Canberra aircraft. The combined formation of attack aircraft, delivered the following weapons on pre-planned targets: 60 x 120kg (Mk 81 bombs); 18 x 250kg (Mk 82 bombs); four x 450kg bombs and 600 Alpha bomblets, the latter two weapons system types were most likely to have been from the English Electric Canberra aircraft from 12 Squadron. A number of Impalas conducted strikes on a fire control radar, east of Cuvelai. The anti-aircraft site was equipped with ZSU-57-2s and the associated Fire Can radars. During the egress from the target area Joe v/d Berg’s Atlas Impala was hit by a SA-9 (NATO Code Name: “GASKIN”) missile. He decided to attempt an emergency landing at Ongiva, in Angola; (recently re-surfaced by 400 AMU) instead of Air Force Base Ondangwa. He made a safe landing at Ongiva.

1988
At approximately 05h45Z, a formation of Buccaneers (24 Squadron) departed from Air Force Base Grootfontein, South West Africa/Namibia armed with a classified long-range/glide ‘smart-bomb’ commonly referred to a “H-2” and “HANTO”, for a first attempt of the day to destroy the Cuito Cuanavale Bridge – it was aborted. The second attempt saw the aircraft take-off at 09h40Z and the FAPA (Angolan Air Force) launched a flight of MiG-23 Floggers to intercept (this never took place) and the Buccaneers successfully launched ‘H2’ and destroyed the Bridge at 10h31Z. Buccaneer 414 delivered the successful hit.


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PostPosted: 04 Jan 2019, 04:33 
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04 January

1918
W.L Jordan, a South African, serving in the RNAS/RAF during WW 1, flying a Sopwith Camel, successfully shot-down a German DFW C (‘Kill # 11’).

1941
The following combat sorties took place:
1 Squadron: A formation of 10 Gladiators/Hurricanes escorted six Hardy aircraft in the Azaza area. A ‘Navigation Escort’ sortie was conducted too, using one of the squadron’s aircraft to assist an Allied aircraft that became lost during a mission, it returned to base safely.
2 Squadron: Fury ‘208’ conducted a test flight to test its machine guns.

1942
Three Oxford aircraft arrived and were placed on strength of No 43 Air School (Port Alfred).

1943
A Master (2991) crashed after it struck a fence following a stall-turn in the Donkerhoek area. One fatality was reported.

1944
The following aircraft losses were reported:
An Anson (3225), crashed in the Grahamstown area after running-out of fuel during a mission, most likely from Port Elizabeth.
A Baltimore (FA633), allocated to 15 Squadron crashed whilst conducting air-to-ground attack training. All four crew members aboard the aircraft were fatally injured.
The following Spitfires were lost due to hostile action and non-hostile incidents: MH901, allocated to 1 Squadron, reportedly had an engine fire during start-up. RR184, allocated to 4 Squadron was involved in a fatal accident – engine failure after a spin. PT900, allocated to 7 Squadron was shot-down by anti-aircraft artillery. MH891, allocated to 7 Squadron was reported missing following a Close Air Support Mission and the pilot believed to have been fatally wounded.

1945
Two Ventura Mk V aircraft assigned to 22 Squadron reported a submarine sighting whilst on a Maritime Patrol mission launched from Gibraltar.
A Hurricane (5277) was involved in a fatal accident in the Thabazimbi area.
The following combat missions were flown:
1 Squadron: A formation of four Spitfires flew a ‘Timothy’ mission in support of 5 Corps Canada. A formation of three Spitfires conducted a ‘Cab Rank’ sortie. Eight Spitfires flew escort for 24 Squadron’s Marauders, during a bombing mission.

1952
A Spitfire (5519), crashed during landing (Langebaanweg area?).

1973
A Buccaneer S.Mk50 (411) from 24 Squadron, was written-off during an accident in the Ermelo area, whilst attempting to refuel from another Buccaneer. It was reported that the aircraft entered an un-controlled spin due to slip-stream interference from the tanker aircraft, causing the aircraft to crash approximately 8 nm from Sheepmoore in the Ermelo area.

1976
A Puma (122) was written-off during a ‘blue-on-blue’ (fratricide) anti-aircraft artillery firing incident. The crew, Capt. CD de Wit, Capt. F Immelman and Sgt Kellet together with two passengers were fatally injured. One passenger survived the accident.

1982
31 Squadron was re-established at Air Force Base Hoedspruit. The unit was equipped with Puma and Alouette III helicopters.

1990
The last C-208 Caravan (serial ZS-MLR, c/n 208-164) was delivered to the South African Air Force.

2000
It was reported that Heavy Lift (United Kingdom) had been awarded a contract to the value of R170,000,000 to market and dispose of the remaining eight C-160Z Transall aircraft, stored at Air Force Base Waterkloof.


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PostPosted: 04 Jan 2019, 07:42 
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Spice wrote:
04 January
1990
The last C-208 Caravan (serial ZS-MLR, c/n 208-164) was delivered to the South African Air Force.

Became SAAF 3012.

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PostPosted: 05 Jan 2019, 00:04 
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Spice wrote:

1982
It was reported that the South African Air Force had destroyed a Russian supplied helicopter (presumably a Mi8/17 Hip) during an air-strike on enemy positions in Angola.


13 May 1982, it was an Angolan Mil Mi-8 which was believed to be carrying senior officers. Captain M Louw flying Mirage F1-CZ '206' and Lt. Jon Inges flying '210' were tasked with locating and destroying the helicopter in the Cuvelai area. The helicopter was located with rotors running on the ground. Lt. Inges attacked first but was off target. Captain Louw then followed, destroying the helicopter in a hail of 30mm fire.


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PostPosted: 05 Jan 2019, 07:16 
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Paul wrote:
Spice wrote:

1982
It was reported that the South African Air Force had destroyed a Russian supplied helicopter (presumably a Mi8/17 Hip) during an air-strike on enemy positions in Angola.


13 May 1982, it was an Angolan Mil Mi-8 which was believed to be carrying senior officers. Captain M Louw flying Mirage F1-CZ '206' and Lt. Jon Inges flying '210' were tasked with locating and destroying the helicopter in the Cuvelai area. The helicopter was located with rotors running on the ground. Lt. Inges attacked first but was off target. Captain Louw then followed, destroying the helicopter in a hail of 30mm fire.


Thanks


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05 January

1941
Sorties:
1 Squadron: Two Hurricanes intercepted an unidentified Italian aircraft, during the intercept, the Hurricanes were shot at from an allied vessel, the HMS Shereham.

1942
Five “Northrop” aircraft placed on strength of No 43 Air School (Port Alfred).
Aircraft Accidents / Losses:
- A DH82A Tiger Moth (2208), crashed.
- A Nomad Mk 1, (1265), crashed during a flight – hit telephone wires.

1943
Aircraft Accidents / Losses:
- A Nomad Mk 1, conducting a Target Towing Mission (Drogue), crashed following a stall. There were two fatalities.
- A Kittyhawk (EV136) crashed resulting – 1 x fatality.

1944
Aircraft Accidents / Losses:
- A DH82 Tiger Moth (2266) was written-off after a fatal accident, apparently the ‘pilot fell ill during flight’.
- A Harvard (7419) stalled and crashed at low-level in the vicinity of Springbokspruit.

1945
Sorties:
- 29 Squadron: A Ventura conducted a Search and Rescue mission from its home base at M’tubatuda to search for a marine vessel in distress of the Natal Coast, it seemed to have been a false distress report.
Aircraft Accidents / Losses:
- A Beaufighter (NV151) crashed during an operational mission. One crew member was fatally wounded and one crew member was reported to have been captured by enemy forces and held as a Prisoner of War.

1948
Aircraft Accidents / Losses:
- A Lodestar 18-08 (238) crashed in the Palmietfontein area. ZS-ASW (c/n 2037), was originally part of a large order for South African Airways, registered in Jan 1941 and delivered directly to the South African Air Force from the factory. The aircraft became South African Air Force number 238. At the end of the war she was returned to South African Airways as ZS-ASW (named Sir Benjamin D’Urban” and was written off at Palmietfontein on 5/1/1948. The aircraft actually ground-looped on landing and went off the runway - there were no injuries to either crew or passengers.

1982
Aircraft Accidents / Losses:
- A Puma (168) was written-off during a military operation in Southern Angola; after being hit by Anti-Aircraft Artillery fire, all on board fatally wounded, the aircrew: Capt. John Robinson, Lt Michael Earp and Sgt Kennie Dalgleish. Reports further indicate it may also been attributed to small arms fire, i.e. AK-47.

1985
It was reported that a Puma, piloted by J.C. Linde had a ‘tree strike’ in the [Luena / Luenga] area whilst supporting 32 Battalion operations. The new tail rotor was replaced inside enemy territory.


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PostPosted: 06 Jan 2019, 04:00 
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06 January

1918
W.L. Jordan, a South African , serving in the RNAS/RAF during WW 1, whilst flying a Sopwith Camel, successfully shot-down a German Albatros DV (‘Kill # 12’).

1941
Operations / Sorties
- 1 Squadron: Seven Gladiators/Hurricanes conducted an unsuccessful intercept mission in the Azaza area. Two Gladiator/Hurricane aircraft left Azaza on a ferry flight (outbound).

1942
Accidents / Losses:
- A Nomad Mk 1 (1267) crashed whilst conducting low-level flying, fatally injuring the pilot.

1945
Accidents / Losses:
- A 22 Squadron Ventura, crashed following a reported engine failure during landing at Gibraltar, on return from a Convoy Escort sortie. The aircraft serial: ‘R’ 6451.
- An Anson (4243) was written-off, when it crashed into a gate during an attempted forced-landing in Hanover. It is presumed to have been due to fuel starvation, because the aircraft was reportedly ‘lost’.
- A Spitfire, allocated to 3 Squadron was also written-off following an accident whilst on an operational mission.

1952
Accidents / Losses:
- A 2 Squadron Mustang ‘353’ was hit by ground anti-aircraft fire, caught fore and spun in to a hillside in Korea.

1967
16 Squadron was relocated from Air Force Base Ysterplaat to Air Force Base Durban; the unit at that time was equipped with newly acquired Alouette III helicopters.

1978
Accidents / Losses:
- An Alouette III (58) was written-off near the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam.

1981
The first Super Frelon (aka “Super Hornet/Wasp”) helicopters allocated to 30 Squadron arrived at Air Force Base Ysterplaat.


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07 January

1941
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF:
Hawker Hart ‘Trainer’: 443 and 444
Accidents / Losses:
Hartbees ‘832’ crashed due to an engine failure at low-level. Two fatalities
Sorties:
1 Squadron: A Hurricane/Gladiator performed a ‘liaison’ sortie in the Azaza area.
2 Squadron: Two Furies conducted General Flying training.
3 Squadron: Three Hurricane aircraft ferried from Nairobi (home base) to a temporary 1 Squadron deployment based at Khartoum.

1942
Accidents/Losses:
The Air Force lost a total of seven (7) Tomahawk aircraft during operations, mainly due to hostile air-to-air actions, the detail of the losses are as follows:
Mk IIB / AR294: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, approximately 10nm north of Agedabia (capital of the Al Wahat District, NE Libya), the pilot was fatally wounded.
Mk IIB / AK518: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, fatally wounding the pilot.
Mk IIB / AK525: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, in the vicinity of Agedabia (capital of the Al Wahat District, NE Libya), the pilot was captured and listed as a Prisoner of War.
Mk IIB / AN411: Reportedly lost due to an engine failure, North East of Agedabia.
Mk IIB / AK40’: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, in the vicinity of Agedabia (capital of the Al Wahat District, NE Libya).
Mk IIB / A further two aircraft - serial ‘unknown’: Shot down by a Luftwaffe Bf-109, one of which the pilot had been fatally wounded.

1943
Accidents/Losses:
An Oxford (3477), conducting a target tow mission, reportedly lost control and crashed, fatally injuring all four crew on-board the aircraft. The location of the accident was off-the coast at ‘Kenton-On-Sea’. Conditions at the time were also reported as ‘bad weather’. The aircraft belonged to No 44 Air School.

1945
A replacement Ventura (FN982) arrived and joined 22 Squadron deployed at Gibraltar, it is assumed to be the replacement aircraft for ‘6407’.

1969
Accidents/Losses:
A Cessna C185D (734) was written-off following an accident at Katanga Range (Rhodesia). Lt J.H. van Heerden and one passenger were fatally injured during this incident.

1974
The ‘Impala Weapons Flight’ was established at AFB Langebaanweg.

1980
12 Squadron. Three Canberra – Interdiction – Targets in Angola.

1981
Accidents/Losses:
A SA-321L Super Frelon (315) was involved in an accident at Air Force Base M’pacha (South West Africa/Namibia). This aircraft was not replaced.

1982
Accidents/Losses:
A Harvard (7651) was involved in a fatal accident (one crew member) at Dunnottar.

1984
12 Squadron’s Canberra aircraft were tasked to conduct interdiction missions in Angola, during OP ASKARI


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PostPosted: 08 Jan 2019, 03:56 
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08 January

1941
Accidents / Losses:
A Ju-53/3M (668/ex-ZS-ALR) was written-off approximately 7nm North East of M’beya.
Sorties:
- Unidentified Squadrons: A Valentia conducted a support mission (no further detail). – Most likely No 50 (Transport) Squadron.
- 1 Squadron: Three Hurricanes were scrambled to intercept an unidentified aircraft - during the identification phase, the aircraft was reported to be an allied Blenheim, in the Port Sudan area. A second intercept mission was flown too, also reported to be an allied aircraft in the Azaza area.
- 2 Squadron: A Fury arrived at the squadron as a ferry flight.
- 3 Squadron: A Hurricane conducted a Test Flight at Garissa airfield.
- 11 Squadron: A Battle conducted a Test Flight at Archer’s Post airfield.

1942
Accidents / Losses:
Two Boston III aircraft, allocated to 24 Squadron crashed at ‘LG-124’ due to bad weather conditions. Z2161: All crew OK and Z2168: All crew OK.

1944
Accidents / Losses:
A Spitfire, ‘ES343’, allocated to 4 Squadron, crashed when a tire burst (take-off) at the Tringo airfield.

1945
Four Ventura Mk V (22 Squadron) aircraft reported a submarine whilst on a Maritime Patrol Mission launched from Gibraltar.

1966
Accidents / Losses:
An Alouette III (56) supporting operations in Mozambique was lost due to a rubber dinghy being under-slung, hitting the tail rotor, in the Lorenzo Marques area. Capt. GN Shawe, A/Cpl FH Moolman and three passengers were fatally injured.

1982
Accidents / Losses:
- A C4M Kudu (994) crashed in the Potchefstroom area. One fatality reported .
- A 22 Squadron Alouette III (42) was involved in an accident – the aircraft was rebuilt and returned to service; it was eventually written-off years later on Table Mountain.

1984
12 Squadron’s Canberra aircraft were tasked to conduct interdiction missions in Angola, during OP ASKARI
Following the conclusion of OP ASKARI, reports indicated that Canberra aircraft dropped 9,000 Alpha Bomblets and 180,000lb conventional bombs on targets in Angola.

1993
The remaining nine C-160Z Transall aircraft, operated by 28 Squadron, Air Force Base Waterkloof were withdrawn from active service. One aircraft (337) was donated to the South African Air Force Museum

09 January

1941
Sorties:
- 1 Squadron: Six Gladiators/Hurricanes departed from Azaza on an outbound ferry flight. Five Gladiators/Hurricanes conducted Armed Reconnaissance over Azaza. Three Gladiators/Hurricanes conducted an unsuccessful intercept mission over the Azaza area too.
- 2 Squadron: Two formations (two Fury each) arrived at Wajir and Archer’s Post respectively on ferry flights.
- 11 Squadron: Six Battles conducted an Interdiction mission from Archer’s Post to Yavello – three Ca-133 aircraft reportedly destroyed during the attack.

1942
Aircraft Delivery to SAAF: Hawker Hart (Trainer): K4974 and K6527

1943
Accidents / Losses:
An Anson (3101), overshot the runway at Port Elizabeth, and crashed.

1944
Accidents / Losses:
A 2 Squadron Spitfire (JK388), reported engine trouble and subsequently crashed into the ocean. The pilot did not survive the accident.

1945
Sorties:
22 Squadron conducted a Search and Rescue mission from Gibraltar, for a French Vessel, the l’Enjoue – reported to have sunk - (this search continued for a couple of days – no results reported in the operations reports).
Accidents / Losses:
A Ventura (6439), allocated to 23 Squadron, crashed due to an engine failure after take-off, there were four fatalities.

1965
Buccaneer ‘411’ conducted its maiden flight in Scotland.

1979
Accidents / Losses:
A 24 Squadron, Buccaneer S.Mk-50 (424), crashed in the Roetan area, whilst conducting a night flying sortie. Capt. P.B. Duncan and Lt P.P. Wahl were fatally injured.

1980
Accidents / Losses:
An S-316 Alouette III (45), deployed on operations in Rhodesia, crashed.


Last edited by Spice on 11 Jan 2019, 07:59, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: 10 Jan 2019, 03:30 
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Joined: 13 Jul 2004, 13:06
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Location: In .... S.E.A & M.E.N.A. et al
10 January

1941

Sorties:
2 Squadron: One Fury arrived at N’gedes Nest on a ferry flight. Three Furies conducted routine patrol missions.

1944

Accident / Losses:
- A De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (560), crashed in Southern Rhodesia when it apparently lost control due to bad (bumpy) weather conditions during approach to the airfield.
- A second De Havilland DH.82 crashed as well, the aircraft number being reported to be 2208.

1945

Sorties:
29 Squadron: One Ventura conducted a Search and Identification mission from M’tubatuda (Natal) to a marine vessel of the Natal Coast.

Accident / Losses:
A Spitfire, belonging to 1 Squadron, was shot down by enemy Anti-Aircraft Artillery; the pilot did not survive the engagement. The aircraft serial number has been reported to be PT971.

1950


Accident / Losses:
A Spitfire (5521), stationed at Langebaanweg (South Africa), crashed following engine failure.

1972

Accident / Losses:
A Harvard (7034) was involved in fatal accident in the George area.

1984
Information Note: The planned start of Operation ASKARI was ‘halted/placed on hold’ by the South African government.

1991

19 Squadron became the first helicopter squadron to receive the locally manufactured Oryx medium-lift helicopter; the unit was re-located to Air Force Base Louis Trichardt.

1998

For the sixth time in seven years 22 Squadron at AFB Ysterplaat was awarded the SAAF Sword of Peace. The Sword of Peace, the Air Force's highest operational award, honours one unit or squadron each year for outstanding humanitarian service. The squadron beat about 30 applicants. 22 Squadron operated 11 Oryx and nine Alouette III helicopters.


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PostPosted: 10 Jan 2019, 07:03 
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Nothing happen on the 9th?

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