Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Hello all,

I am currently researching a book on the Rhodesian servicemen who served in the RAF in WW2 - 677 of whom gave their lives in those years. I am currently looking for any and all information that i can get my hands on. I have no specific requirements but am interested mainly in the 3 Rhodesian Squadrons (Nos 44, 237 and 266) and any and all Rhodesians who served in the RAF between these years.

The service by these people has never been officially recognised and i am very keen to try and get their stories out for the world to see. The initial book will be a series of short stories/experiences and i will then look into detailed histories of these 3 Squadrons. The only pilot i am aware of who has been extensively written about and discussed is Ceasar Hull, and deservedly so - but there were many more too :)

If any of you at all have any information that you think i may be interested in please let me know.

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Hi Reggie,

I spent several years in the Rhodesian Security Forces in the late 1970s. Many of these ex-RAF guys were alive then, many of them as farmers, but I have long since lost contact. I believe that Ian Smith is still alive, as well.

Have you tried the Rhodesian Army Association or Rhodesians Worldwide? This may have a few contacts.

I would also recommend having a look at "Wings of Thunder" by Meunier. This is a book on the 600+ Argentine aircrew in the RAF. It might make a useful model for your own work. Meunier interviewed the survivors and their families. Until I read it I thought Rhodesia suffered the highest fatalties in British service at about 10% of those in uniform. However, the Argentine aircrew suffered twice as heavily - about 20% were killed.

I would also question whether the 677 Rhodesian fatalities were all in the RAF. Rhodesian platoons served in many British Army units in North Africa and Italy over 1940-45. This dispersal was to prevent the colony's prime manpower being wiped out in a single action, as might happen if they were all in a single Rhodesian unit. In addition, the Rhodesian African Rifles served in Burma in 1944-45.

Good luck,

Sid.

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Hi Sid,

Many thanks for the advice, i will definately look into "Wings of Thunder" for reference. Ian Smith is still alive and am currently trying to get hold of as well - i am hoping he will be willing to talk to me again as his own story while a Spitfire pilot is quite amazing in itself.

Regarding the figures of those killed, i have had a couple of numbers which i have discovered, the latest found here http://www.rhodesiana.com/archives/d...Memorial_2.pdf stating 450 Aircrew - obviously further research with the RAF Museum will confirm the exact figure. Also there does not seem to have been a definition in RAF records between Northern and Southern Rhodesia during this time which i suppose is understandable although to us we have always seen them as different countries.

I have tried to contact a couple of Rhodesian Veterans associations with no luck so far but will definately keep trying. I have not tried those you suggest as they deal with Army - but i think i certainly have nothing to lose so will contact them today.

Many thanks again.

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Hi Reggie,

Check out the links below (if you aren't already aware of them).

http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/rhodesia-ww2.html

Note the list of references at the bottom of the page.

http://users.accesscomm.ca/magnusfamily/ww2rho.htm

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Thanks Andy, i am aware of the page although have not paid as much attenton to the footnotes as i should have so thanks for pointing that out to me. I have also found a book called " A Pride of Eagles" which is the definative history of the Rhodesian Air Force from 1920-1980. The only problem is it is selling for around £300 :(

Crazy :)

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Hi Reggie
Try with www.abebooks.com there you can find cheaper second-hand copies.

You can also find information about the Rhodesian fighter pilots who made two to four confirmed claims (17 pilots) in the book Those Other Eagles by Christopher Shores and the aces (11 pilots) in the book Aces High by Christopher Shores and Clive Williams.

Cheers
Peter

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Excellent, many thanks Peter - you are right, much more realistic prices on that website :)

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Dear Reggie,

I am preparing a story on and RCAF veteran who flew with a Rhodesian pilot, 'Happy' Taylor with 44 Squadron. Their Lancaster was involved in an air-to-collison with a Stirling bomber over Denmark, flown by a RNZAF crew. The story describing the event is over 1,500 words.

Let me know if you wish to read the story, and I will mail you a copy.

Norman Malayney
nmalayney(at)yahoo.com
replace the at with @

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Hi Reggie,

I have the following info about 237 Squadron Gladiators on my website.

http://www.geocities.com/acrawford0/237.html

I'm hoping to expand on it by obtaining the Squadrons Operational Records Book from the National Archives.

If you drop me an email I wll send you what I have on 237 Squadron Hardy operations in East Africa.

Regards,

Alex Crawford
alexander.crawford(AT)tiscali.co.uk
substitute (AT) with @

Re: Rhodesian Servicemen and Squadrons.
 

Hello Reggie
I have some info on a pilot that flew with 127 Squadron.
He was called Alan Willis.
He is depicted in the painting "Double Strike on the Zuider Zee" by artist Mike Short.
He is flying the aircraft in the background.
http://members.tripod.com/~dptidy/Spitfire1.jpg

Mail me for more info.
RAF_127squadron@yahoo.co.uk if you want more info.
regards
Andy