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.