Equipment of SAAF squadrons

[maxs75]

Hi,

I am looking for information about the equipment of SAAF squadrons during WW2. I already have some info, but I'd like to know more precisely when the squadrons transitioned from a plane type to another.
For example no. 2 squadron had Kittyhawk in late 1942, but ended war flying Spitfire IX. Did the squadron fly P-40 or Spit at the time of operation Husky? (july 1943)? The same for no. 4.

Can You suggest some web site that has those info about all SAAF squadrons? Or a SAAF Order of battle during WW2?


Thanks in advance

Max

[JonS]

The 8 or 9 volumes of the British Official Historys "The Med & The Middle East" have some very detailed air OOBs. Going through them one by one would give you a pretty good idea of what they had at various points during the war.

Also, you could try Niehorsters site.

[Leon57]

Can You suggest some web site that has those info about all SAAF squadrons?

Try this link
http://www.saairforce.co.za/squadrons.htm from http://www.saairforce.co.za/
I think you will find some info you need there!

[maxs75]

Thanks,
unfortunately the web site has not so detailed informations.

Max

[Graham Clayton]

Hi,
For example no. 2 squadron had Kittyhawk in late 1942, but ended war flying Spitfire IX. Did the squadron fly P-40 or Spit at the time of operation Husky? (july 1943)? The same for no. 4.Max

Max,
According to this webpage, No 2, No 4 & No 5 Squadrons SAAF were flying P-40 Kittyhawks during Operation Husky.

http://www.warwingsart.com/12thAirForce/nataf.html

[Andy H]

Hi,

I am looking for information about the equipment of SAAF squadrons during WW2. I already have some info, but I'd like to know more precisely when the squadrons transitioned from a plane type to another.
For example no. 2 squadron had Kittyhawk in late 1942, but ended war flying Spitfire IX. Did the squadron fly P-40 or Spit at the time of operation Husky? (july 1943)? The same for no. 4.

Can You suggest some web site that has those info about all SAAF squadrons? Or a SAAF Order of battle during WW2?


Thanks in advance

Max

Hi Max

From the official history of the war in The Mediterranean and Middle East Volume V, Appendix 4:-

September 3rd 1943
60 Sqn 8 P38-5A/Mosquito VI/X
2 & 4 Sqn 32 Spitfire VC/IX
1 Sqn 16 Spitfire V/VIII
40 Sqn 18 Spitfire V
3 Sqn 16 Hurricane IIC
7 Sqn 16 Spitfire VC
41 Sqn 16 Hurricane IIB
15 Sqn 24 Baltimore III/IIIA/IV
16 Sqn 24 Beaufort I/II
5 Sqn X Kittyhawk III

January 21st 1944
28 Sqn Anson I/Dakota III
15 Sqn 16 Baltimore IV/V
16 Sqn 16 Beaufighter X
12 Sqn 16 Marauder II
21 Sqn 16 Baltimore IIIA/IV
2 & 4 Sqn 32 Spitfire VC
1 Sqn 16 Spitfire VIII
5 Sqn 16 Kittyhawk III
40 Sqn 18 Spitfire V
3 & 41 Sqn 48 Hurricane IIC
7 Sqn 16 Spitfire VC
24 Sqn 16 Marauder II
17 Sqn 16 Ventura V

Regards

Andy H

[durb]

From the book "Curtiss P-40. Long-nosed Tomahawks" by Carl Molesworth (2013):

By the summer of 1941 the 4 and 5 SAAF were equipped with Tomahawk IIB (=Curtiss P-40C or Hawk 81-A2, as far as I know).

Also 2 SAAF had Tomahawks by summer 1941. They achieved their first air victories on 3.9.1941 with Tomahawks. Also first DAF win over Bf 109 F was achieved by this unit (Lt. Lacey on 3.10.1941).

Molesworth mentions also 3 SAAF being equipped with Tomahawks in 1941. Losses of this unit were high - nine Tomahawks and five pilots were lost on one day 22.11.1941.

First SAAF squadron to re-equip with Kittyhawk was 3 SAAF which dispersed its remaining Tomahawks to 2 and 4 SAAF on 17.12.1941.

The Tomahawk losses were again high during operation Crusader 2 and 4 SAAF losing seven aircraft on 7.1.1942.

The 5 SAAF flew with Tomahawks long after other units had converted to Kittyhawks. This last Tomahawk unit of DAF suffered also heavy losses - four of its commanding officers were killed in combat during summer 1942. The 5 SAAF did not receive Kittyhawks until January 1943.