24 January
1918
General Information: W.L Jordan, a South African , serving in the RNAS/RAF during WW 1, flying a Sopwith Camel, successfully shot-down two German Albatros DVs (‘Kill # 14 & 15’).
1941
General Information: Allied forces invaded Italian Somaliland from Kenya (WWII East African Campaign).
Operations and Operational Statistics: A 1 Squadron Hurricane (V7655) conducted a strafe run on an Italian aircraft (Ca.133), 40mn West of Argodat – it was reported destroyed.
Sorties: Unidentified Squadrons: A Rapid flew an Air Support mission to Lokitaung. 1 Squadron: Six Hurricanes conducted ferry flights. Four Hurricanes and seven Gladiators performed Combat Air Patrols, while another eight aircraft from the squadron conducted unsuccessful intercepts.
Accidents and Losses: A Hurricane, piloted by Lt J Howiston (fatally wounded), was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery during operations. It was reported to have been serial 282.
1942
General Information: Maj Osler became the first South African Air Force pilot to fly a captured Luftwaffe Bf-109F (“Friedrich”), he was a member of 1 Squadron. This mission was flown by him to celebrate the DFC that had been awarded to him on 7 January 1942. The Bf-109 had been made serviceable to fly by the Squadron’s ground crew. His comment after the flights: "Give me a Hurricane any day", was his loyal comment to the old Hurribus. He found the view from the Bf109 poor, and flew it to Heliopolis on the first stage of its journey to England. Bennie, therefore became the first Commonwealth pilot in the desert to fly the Bf109, and 1 Squadron was pleased at this distinction. The aircraft “Yellow 2” was operated by the Luftwaffe’s III/JG27. The aircraft was captured during the Allied occupation which took place at ‘Derna’ airfield, when 1 Squadron, South African Air Force arrived there. The aircraft (Bf109) was taken to Heliopolis.
Accidents and Losses: An Airspeed Oxford (3359) was involved in a fatal accident, caused by structural failure. The accident occurred in the Kimberly area.
1944
Accidents and Losses: A De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth (546), crashed (the location unknown). The cause was reported to be a ‘stall turn at low altitude, struck ground’
1945
Accidents and Losses: A De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth (2445) crashed whilst landing; apparently the aircraft struck a fence. A Ventura (Y-6438), was written-off at Rabat airfield, the under carriage collapsed during landing. The aircraft was participating in a Search and Rescue mission, launched from Gibraltar, and diverted to Rabat due to bad weather at Gibraltar. An Anson (4356) was written-off during an attempted forced landing at Beaufort West
1950
Accidents and Losses: A Ventura crashed at Bloemfontein, serial reported to be 6024
1964
Operations and Operational Statistics: The second formation of Canberra aircraft, delivery flight was scheduled, but postponed. Serials 453, 454, 455 and 457.
1980
Accidents and Losses: An Atlas Impala Mk II (1056), piloted by Captain Leon Burger, was tasked to conduct a tactical Armed Reconnaissance (ARMRECCE) sortie in Southern Angola. During the mission, enemy forces launched a SA-7 (NATO Code Name: “GRAIL”) shoulder launched infra-red surface to air missile at the aircraft. The missile struck the aircraft, and in the process when it detonated, the entire ventral fin of the aircraft was lost. Captain Burger continued to fly the aircraft to Air Force Base Ondangwa, and arrived overhead the airfield at night, he was then ordered to eject, rather than risk landing the Atlas Impala at an operational base, where a large number of aircraft were parked, in which the Atlas Impala might have crashed on landing, by losing all directional control once on the runway.
2012
General Information: An announcement was made that 15 Squadron will re-locate to the King Shaka International Airport.
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