SAAF Liberators
 

Hi Folks,
Does anybody know the U.S. serial number of the following SAAF 31 & 34 Squadron Liberators:

- KH147
- KG968
- EV958

- Which Lib (S/N?) was marked as 'Z' at the end of August, 1944 in 31st SAAF Squadron?
- Which Lib (S/N?) was marked as 'M' at the end of August, 1944 in 31st SAAF Squadron?
- Which Lib (S/N?) was marked as 'P' at the end of November, 1944 in 31st SAAF Squadron?

Thanks,
Gabor

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

Gabor


You always asking very if not totally difficult questions , I will look for you into the
numerous history books i have on SAAF primarily Eagle Victorious and 205th GP
books , upon results I will revert to you

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

It's true, but I'm not just asking, but I think I often answer difficult questions too, - especially about VVS ;-))))) National Archives, however, have pretty amazing mission records, so these are probably not impossible ones. But thanks in advance. (Surely, I love detailed plane lists and unit inventories.)

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

Hello,

1/
KH147 - B.VI - ex-44-10712
Delivered Dorval 20.8.44.
Departed Dorval 8.9.44 via Lagens to Middle East.
Arrived Maison Blanche 11.9.44.
31 Sqn SAAF (T).
To UK 10.1.46.
51 MU 11.1.46.
S.O.C 1 10 46.

2/
KG968 - B.VI - ex-44-10473.
Delivered Dorval 18.6.44.
To Middle East.
Arrived Maison Blanche 27.6.44.
31 Sqn SAAF (C).
S.O.C. 14.3.46.

3/
EV958 - B.VI - ex-42-64384
Delivered Dorval 10.4.44.
Via Lagens to Prestwick arrived 16.4.44.
Scottish Aviation Ltd., 16.4.44.
Prestwick-Lyneham 1.5.44.
To Middle East; arrived Cairo West 3.5.44.
31 Sqn SAAF (V later R).
Missing from raid on marshalling yards at Udine 7/8.3.45.
S.O.C. 29.3.45.

See:
The Liberator in Royal Air Force and Commonwealth Service
Oughton,James, Hamlin,John & Andrew Thomas.
Tonbridge:Air-Britain (Historians),2007.
1/p.204
2/p.198
3/p.144

Col.

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

Good work Bruggy , where did you find this ?

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

Thanks Bruggy, great details! Perhaps any info from A.M. Form 78s?
Gabor

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

Hello Gabor,
If it is any help, 85years of SAAF" has the following.
"Z" - EW166 - Sold 12/03/1947.
"M"- EV952 - SoC 28/11/1946.
"P" - EW248 - Mia -17/08/1944.
"P" - KG999 - Mia - 13/10/1944.

Alex

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

Dear Alex,
Perfect! This is exactly I was looking for...
Cheers,
Gabor

Re: SAAF Liberators
 

Glad to help,
Here are crew details.
EW166
21/10/44
Sgt. R.B.Brenner - RAFVR - Safe.
Sgt. H. McFarlane - RAFVR -Safe.
Sgt. J. Turner - RAFVR - Safe.
Sgt. D. F. Giles - RAFVR - Safe.
Sgt. T. Dawson - RAFVR - Safe.
Sgt. J. Morrow - RAFVR - Safe.
Sgt. R. O. Gaff - RAFVR - Killed.
Sgt. F. Devine - RAFVR - Safe.

EV952
?

EW248
17/08/44
Maj. I. J. M. Odendaal - SAAF - killed.
Lt. B.T. Loxton - SAAF - killed.
Lt. A.J.Hastings - SAAF - killed.
Lt. T. T. Watson - SAAF - killed.
WO1. J. B. Erasmus - SAAF - killed.
Sgt. A. B. Robinson - RAF - killed.
WO2. J. A. C. Steel - SAAF killed.
Lt. J. J. C. Groenewald - SAAF - Safe.
Missing ( exploded in mid air over Warsaw, Poland while dropping supplies to Polish Home Army Partisans.

KG999
13/10/44
Lt. C. P. Nel - SAAF - killed.
Lt. C. B. Vorster - SAAF - killed.
Sgt. J. E. Boswell - RAFVR - killed.
P/O. R. W. Johnson - RAFVR - killed.
Sgt. E. Locket - RAFVR - killed.
Sgt. H. Fly - RAFVR - killed.
Sgt. R. Bailey - RAFVR - killed.
Sgt. H. Austin - RAF( Auxiliary Air Force ) - killed.
Missing during Partisan supply drop in Northern Italy,( crashed into mountain at Ala do STURT, north of Turin, at night and in poor weather ).

Ref: "85 Years of SAAF" by Winston Brent.

Alex