RAF losses in the desert

[Adam]

I have a note that two South African pilots were captured on 13.09.1941 in the desert. I have no details other than the numbers 11793 and 18763. The reference comes from an AIR 40 file. Does anyone know if these are serial numbers, and if so, who they belonged to and how they came to be captured.

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Adam,

I have checked through various reference works ('Mediterranean Air War', Vol. 1; 'RAF Bomber Losses in the Middle East and Mediterranean', Vol. 1 and the 'Springbok Fighter Victory' series) but found nothing to help. In fact the numbers do not seem to match any SAAF fighter pilot service numbers as far as I can see.

I have a copy of 'WO 393/8', a list of Commonwealth Air Forces POWs held by the Italians during WW2. Neither appears in the SAAF sections. I also have a copy of AIR 20/2336 from Kew (downloadable). Unfortunately the lists I received only cover RAF personnel made prisoner by the Germans and not from the other Commonwealth Air Forces. I think other sections of WO 392 may contain this information. So the two men you seek may have been captured by the Germans.

Or I wonder were they South African Army as opposed to SA Air Force ?

Sorry I cannot be of more help.

Regards,

Martin.

[Adam]

Hi Martin,

Many thanks for you r extensive search - I thought it would be a long shot.

Kind regards

Adam

[AndreasB]

I believe two (will try to confirm) South African signallers from 4 South African Armoured Car Regiment were captured the next day (14 Sept) during Operation Mid Summer Night's Dream, a reconnaissance push by 21 Panzer into Egypt that came to nothing.

Could it be the case that these were the men this refers to?

All the best

Andreas

[Adam]

It's possible, although it appears they were captured by the Wüstennotstaffel. Unfortunately no place is named

[AndreasB]

That wouldn't be them then.

All the best

Andreas