The Loss of Hartbees 41. SAAF Sqdn on 27.10.40?

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

I wonder what was the reason of the loss an Hartbees no 855 of 41. SAAF Sqdn on 27.10.1940. The crew ( 2) had perished.

This is the loss which concern SAAF combats against Italian in A.O.I. (East Africa). Most probably it was not any combat but an air accident, but where and the reason of it, this it is interesting for me?


BTW "Doust Clouds..." does not recorded this loss, a pity :-(

regards,
mw

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Hawker Hartbee 855 - 41 Sqn SAAF - Crashed near Bulawayo en route Nairobi 30/10/1940.

102846 Lt Edward Stanley STEELE SAAF +
47958 Air Sgt Auret George VAN HEERDEN SAAF +

See:
85 Years of South African Air Force/Brent. p.36.

and...

On the way north No. 41 Squadron suffered its first loss. Approaching Bulawayo in formation Lt Steele's aircraft went into a dive, engine full on. It nosed over the vertical and went into the ground from 4,000 feet. Its passenger, Air Sergeant Van Heerden, hanging out on his monkey-chain helpless, was unable to reach his parachute to attach it to his harness.

See:
A Gathering of Eagles/Brown. p.77.

Col.

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Great thanks for fast response,
it is strange the difference in the date of their deaths 27.10.40 and 30.10.40? I have the first you give the second?

BTW
there is second for me unknow reason of the death during the same war?

21.04.41
Maryland II
24. Sdn
2/Lt E. Coltsman-Cronin


regards
mw

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

21-4-1941
No.24 Sqn SAAF
Maryland I 1626
Ferry Flight.

Took off Khartoum for Wadi Haifa, one of three en route from South Africa to Egypt. A sandstorm was encountered, an engine cut and with the crew unable to locate Wadi Haifa aerodrome, the aircraft crashed nearby. 2/Lt Coltsman-Cronin is buried in the Khartoum War Cemetery.

2/Lt D R HAUPT* SAAF - Injured
47916V 2/Lt Edward COLTSMAN-CRONIN SAAF +
Sgt W J ROSCOE SAAF - Injured
Sgt C D HERBST SAAF - Injured

See: BLME1/55.

* Re: 2/Lt D R Haupt, see: BLME1/107 (10-12-1941, Boston III Z2201)

and..

The most serious mishap occurred at Wadi Haifa, where on 21st April (1941), Lieut. D. R. Haupt attempted to land in a haboah. The aircraft crashed, killing the observer, 2/Lieut. E. Coltsman-Cronin - the Squadron's first casualty - and seriously injuring one of the senior engineers, F/Sgt. W. J. Roscoe.

See: Per Noctem Per Diem The Story of 24 Squadron - South African Air Force./Tucker & McGregor. p.6.

Col.

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Again,
Great Thanks, for this info, :-)

mw

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

I wonder if it is given the number of wounded SAAF's members during the war in A.O.I (from June 1940 till November 1941).

The amount of killed is 79 (VI 40- V 1941) plus next 5 MIA (plus 5 next KIFA VI 41- XI 41), but the number of wounded is unknow for me?

May you have this info?

regards,
mw