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SAAFA Pretoria Branch pta@saafa.co.za Tel/Fax: 012-651 5922 PO Box 21223 VALHALLA 0137

Contents SAAFA Pretoria Branch Golf Day P2 SAAFA Pretoria Branch Luncheon P3 Why we remember the South Africans who died in Delville Wood P4 Delville Wood Memorial Service, Burgers Park, Pretoria P6 Korean War Veterans Association Memorial Service P7 Don’t Forget P9 SAAF Memorial P11 Congratulations AFB Waterkloof P16 Dates to remember P17 July’s “Thirstday’s” at the Hartbees P17 WOE P18 Lest We Forget P18 From the Editor P18 Confessions of a Trolley Dolly P20 Thank You P21

SAAFA LIFE MEMBERSHIP Many of us joined the SAAF Association as Life

Members, some many years ago, and at the time Life Membership meant just that; you joined as a Member for Life with no further obligation or expectation of further membership dues. During the last few decades life has changed, and the future isn’t what it used to be. Our Association has also changed, with operational expenses increasing exponentially and the profile of our Benevolence programs changing substantially. In addition, where the SAAF and SAAFA have joint interests in activities or assets, the costs and maintenance of such was in the past borne by the SAAF. As life changed, so it became a reality that the R20 or R50 one paid for Life Membership years ago is not able to carry the costs of membership in these days of inflation and variable economic circumstances. To maintain the financial viability of SAAFA, it became necessary some years ago to introduce an annual levy. The levy, a princely sum of R150 per year, covers administration costs associated with operating a manned Pretoria Branch office. In addition, our Branch is obliged to remit to the National Office the sum of R30 per year in the form of Capitation Fees for each paid up member. The National Office in turn allocates the capitation fees so received for administration costs, membership of such umbrella bodies as CMVO (Council of Military Veterans' Organizations of the Republic of South Africa) and importantly the maintenance of the SAAF Memorial on Bays’ Hill. The SAAF Memorial is jointly owned by the SAAF and SAAFA, and whereas in the past the SAAF financed the costs of maintenance and upkeep, this is no longer entirely possible and SAAFA feels a moral obligation to contribute to our joint asset. The recent treatment and painting of the perimeter palisade fence, funded by SAAFA, is an example of this. An appeal is thus made to all our Members to view the annual levy in the light of current circumstances and economic necessity, and support SAAFA and Pretoria Branch in a manner that will enable our Association to continue to flourish, aid our less fortunate members, maintain our assets and provide occasions for the camaraderie that we all enjoy so much.

STICK

&

THROTTLE

AUG 2018 Vol 4

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Friday 6 July dawned

sunny but cold as hades, particularly at Services Golf Club where our Branch was scheduled to hold its benevolent golf

day. Golfers however, are not deterred by icy weather, and arrived in their numbers to help us meet our welfare commitments. While the weather might have been cold, the spirit and festive atmosphere was quite the opposite. The scoring format made for great team competition and much fun was had by all. The day was also considerably warmed by the numerous watering holes on the course, the best of which was hosted by our Pretoria Ladies who were wonderfully noisy, boisterous, generous and hospitable, providing players with rather large, multi-tot beverages! It was truly an event in which the very best SAAFA spirit was always evident and a wonderful day in every respect. The organising team, named “Team Brilliance” by WO SC Nick Havenga, were indeed just that; industrious, innovative, energetic and just absolutely wonderful! Our Team Brilliance members who did Pretoria Branch so very proud are: Mark and Vanessa Bruyns Nick and Carol Havenga Johann and Marianne Mostert Craig and Rene Stanton

Several other members also contributed substantially to the day; Itel Zurich Hermann Olmesdahl Daan Erwee Wayne Benskin Toetie Benskin Phillip Gouws Amanda de Klerk Ashleigh Ludick Yvette Mostert Donnae Meyer Nicayla Bruyns Christo Crous Estelle Carstens Jolize Labushagne

H+P+M+C= Rest

The fund-raising success of any golf day rests upon sponsors being willing to participate and assist and Team Brilliant were again wonderful in this respect, securing outstanding support from the following generous companies, please support them when the opportunity arises as they have supported us:

Thank you to everyone who contributed to what was a fantastic day!

Our Star Ladies with Jack Daniels! Marianne Mostert Arnold Geerdts, our great MC Jack, Toetie Benskin and Carol Havenga

Phillip Gouws, Daan Erwee and Pretoria Branch Chairman, Itel Zurich with anti-freeze!

Lt Col Drew Cunnar, USAF and Col Pappy Lim, Malaysian DA Wayne Benskin

Col Darwin Ziprick, RCAF , photographer to the Stars!

Vice Chairman Johann Mostert with SAAFA National President Mike Louw Brig Gen Daan Retief presenting Arnold Gets with a SAAFA necktie

Thank you, Ladies Carol Rene Vanessa Marianne,

SAAFA Pretoria Branch

Golf day 6 July 2018

SSG Consulting

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SAAFA Pretoria Branch Luncheon Friday the 13th turn out to be the second

Friday of the month of July and it is the branches most favorite gathering and meeting happening of the month.

There is no superstitions when it comes this

function. Remember that Friday the 13th is still better than Monday the whatever.

The lunch was held at the Sir Herbert

Baker’s designed house that he was commissioned to do for General Sir Neville Lyttelton (Commander of the British Forces in SA) at Robert's Heights (now Thaba Tshwane) in

1902. The building was completed in 1903. It is now “The Generals House” and is the Officers Mess at SAAF Col.

WO Lewis pulled out all the stops and

prepared the dining hall

that set the atmosphere

for a very festive lunch.

Sixty one person’s

attended the mid-winter

lunch which was a good turnout for the July.

Two of the SAAFA Patrons, Gen’s Earp and

Muller and Gen’s Stegman and Paine

attended the lunch as well as the SAAFA

National President, Col Mike Louw was

amongst the 61 people at lunch.

The ever popular raffle brought in a total of

one thousand nine hundred rand (R1 900)

towards the benevolent fund. A special

thank-you to all the persons that contributed

towards the prizes for the draw.

There was a special treat for the attendees

before the lunch when Col Rudi

Nieuwenhuyzen gave a moving excerpt from

The Merchant of Venice that had the people

spellbound.

The 100-Club draw for July was not won as

Nick Havenga did not attend the

lunch to claim the pot.

Remember next month it will be

a double payout that will cover your meal,

raffle and a few drinks and plenty cash to

spare. So be there it may be your lucky day.

The money collector and organiser

The Chairman, Itel Zurich with the formal rituals

Three ladies Yvette, Rene & Caro They all won at the raffle

Claire Paine and Lt Gen Muller Enjoyment

SAAF College excelling

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Why we remember the 2500 South Africans who died in

Delville Wood

South Africa was one of the countries with

France, Britain and other colonies and

dominations of the British Crown that gave

soldiers and support staff during WW I. It is

estimated that almost 20 million people in

total died in The Great War, as it was called

before World War II broke out. Not even the

British Empire could seriously contemplate

transporting millions of bodies’ home after

the war.

Remembrance Day

July is the month that countless

remembrance days at the various memorials

will be held remembering those soldiers,

many unknown.

Background

In just four days between 15 and 19 July

1916, the SA Brigade, numbering only 3150

men, attached to the 9th Scottish Division lost

766 men with the dead

outnumbering the

wounded four to one. At

the height of the Battle of

Delville Wood, enemy

artillery fire reached 400 shells a minute.

That’s what happens when you combine

19th century battle strategies with

20th century machine guns. The vast number

of casualties of this war has put a question

mark over the military insights of Field

Marshal Douglas Haig, commander of the

British Expeditionary Forces on the Western

Front.

South Africa had been a Union for little over

four years when the Great War broke out.

Wounds were still fresh from the Anglo-Boer

War, and it was a country sharply divided

between English and Afrikaans. The war

was not a popular one on all fronts, and yet

229 000 South Africans

volunteered (those that

were not in the army

already) to join the

British and French

forces fighting on the Western Front. Of

those 10 000 in total would die on the

battlefields of WW1 and countless thousands

injured and maimed. Amongst the South

Africans were 1100 black and colored SA

troops from the SA

Native Labour Corps,

used as stretcher

bearers and trench

diggers, many of them died while rushing to

the rescue of their compatriots in this brutal

battle, which lasted from 15 July – 3

September 1916.

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Why did they go in the first place? Times

were hard, work was scarce, there was labor

unrest, and for many people the army

provided secure employment. Also this

could be their one chance to travel beyond

SA’s shores in days before travelling was so

commonplace. Or it might have been a

feeling of patriotic duty, a sense of

adventure, or a combination of any of the

above. Hurled into the kind of ongoing hell

we can scarcely imagine from the relative

safety of our suburban homes, these men put

on a brave battle. Many of these South

Africans were hardly professional soldiers.

They were ordinary people with a few weeks

of hurried and probably insufficient training

and little if any battlefield experience and

they were thrown into one of the most vicious

and deadly battles mankind has ever known

– in four months in the Battle of the Somme,

there were, on both sides, over a million

casualties.

Why do we remember them?

Do we remember the SA soldiers because

they were young men, distant relatives, or

South Africans? Or because we hope that

the senseless slaughter of these young men

was not in vain and would deter us from

engaging in fresh wars? Barely a generation

later, within 21 years, Europe was at war

again. So, if deterrence is not what

remembrance days are about, then what is?

We honor those who fought and died,

possibly not by choice, for a minute

remembering the fear, the blood, the

trenches, the mud, the bravery, the

desperation, the boredom, and the agony.

Respecting that they knew if they survived no

one who hadn’t been there would ever really

understand what they had gone through –

and how life just could not ever really be the

same again.

There’s little romance to war. But what one

does often seem to find in real life among the

survivors is a sense of desperate, intense

and lasting camaraderie – the kind that

brings tears to the eyes of an 80-year-old war

veteran saluting fellow soldiers and friends

who did not survive. In the face of death, one

is probably the most acutely alive that you

will ever be. Two-thirds of those 5493

soldiers buried at Delville Wood are unknown

– a testimony to the incredible destruction

that characterised this particular battle.

Countless families remained bereft at having

nothing more than the phrase ‘missing in

action’ hanging over them.

In a way by standing still and paying quiet

tribute to these men who died in brutal chaos,

even if just in our own minds, we, for a

moment, restore their “dignity and their

individuality” to quote poet Walt Whitman.

He spoke of the “untold and unwritten history

of war” and of the countless men who

suffered and died anonymously.

They are not just names on memorial

plaques gathering dust – for someone out

there that was a father, a husband, a lover, a

son, an uncle, a friend, a brother. The

tragedy of such loss can echo through a

family for generations. The stories of the

heroes are often remembered, but what

about everyone else who also lost

everything?

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We cannot change history, and we cannot stop it from being repeated, but we can

acknowledge what we think these people went through.

In honoring these soldiers, we honor life, what we have now, and pay some tribute to the

society in which we would like to live. And in which they never would.

We will remember them.

And we should.

(Extracts of an article by Susan Erasmus who is a freelance writer)

Delville Wood Memorial Service, Burgers Park,

Pretoria 15 July 2018

Col Itel Zurich, Mrs. Beth Earp, Lt Gen Dennis

Earp, Brig Gen Riekert, Col Dirk Louw, WO 1

Renier Feldtmann

Brig Gen Riekert, Col Itel Zurich

WO1 Renier Feldtmann

Col Itel Zurich, WO1 Renier Feldtmann

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Commemoration of the 65th signing of the Korean

Armistice Day We had the privilege to commemorate the

65th commemoration of the signing of the Armistice between North and South Korea on 27 July 1953. The importance of this day is that the signing of the Armistice brought a halt to an unjust war which was seen as a police action by the world hence it’s title “the forgotten war”. This very important event in the history was the beginning to transform Korea in the country it is today. The commitment of the people of Korea in the country to overcome the hardship of their past and the very difficult years after the war made them the nation they are today. But despite their success, they have never forgotten the past and those who has helped them during the brutal war. In 1945, after Japan surrendered at the end of World War II, the United States and Soviet Union agreed to an international trusteeship for Korea. On 15th August 1945, John J. McCoy of the American War Department, directed two young Colonels, Dean Risk and Charles H. Bonesteel, to withdraw to an adjoining room and find a place to divide Korea. Given 30 minutes to do so, they chose the 38th parallel as it would place the capital and harbors within the American Zone. The USSR accepted the division in silence. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) was created

on the 38th Parallel to physically divide Korea in the North and the South. Fences three meters high were erected on either side of the border. All civilian homes were removed, and heavily-sown minefields were created

with only one crossing point at the village of Panmunjom. The spark for the Korean War came when Dean Acheson, Secretary of State for Truman, gave a speech on Asia to the National Press Club, in which he mentioned that South Korea

was not at all important to US security. According to the speech, keeping Japan anti- Communist was the most important part of the American Asian Defense parameter, At 0400 on Sunday 25 June 1950, just five years after the end of World War II, 90 000 North Korean Troops, edged on by the USSR and Chinese backers poured across the 38th Parallel and swiped all opposing them. They did not believe that the US would intervene, and they did not appreciate the significance that that the Republic of Korea was created under the auspices of the UN. This was the beginning of a war where millions of military and civilians were killed, abducted or wounded on both sides. 21 Countries answered the call of the United Nations. 17 provided soldiers and the other military, medical and humanitarian aid. Today, the names of the servicemen and servicewoman of the 17 nations who fell during the Korean War, including those who are still listed as missing in action are deeply engraved on the granite panels of the United Nations Wall of Remembrance. The wall contains the names of 40 896 soldiers, sailors, marines and airman. These were the following countries:

Australia 346 Colombia 213 Greece 186 New Zealand 41 South Africa 36 U Kingdom 1 177

Belgium 106 Ethiopia 122 Luxembourg 2 Norway 3 Thailand 136 US 36 492

Canada 516 France 270 Netherlands 124 Philippines 120 Turkey 1 005

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The role of South Africa during this war is unknown to many people in South Africa as well as internationally. This is a very important and proud chapter of the South African Air Force history. Many of the South African airman who fought in Korea have shown their steel during WWII. The legendary 2 Squadron, also known as

the “Flying Cheetahs” had a proud record of service in the East Africa, Ethiopia, Sicily, Italy and in the Middle East during WWII.

South Africa provided one squadron with 826 volunteer fighter pilots and support crew over the three-year period. The extremely high success rate of 12 067 sorties with F-51 Mustang and 1 694 on Sabers over this period came at a high price. 77 Planes were lost and 34 highly skilled fighter pilots and 2 ground crew paid the ultimate price. Another Another8 pilots had to endure the agony of being Prisoners of War, some for a period of up to two years.

Both the air and ground crew did the legacy of 2 Sqn proud. The highly experienced WWII pilots, who completed the first tour of Korea, were replaced by 20-year-old enthusiastic pilots who, in most cases, only had 200 flying hours experience to their credit. Many of these young men did not even complete their operational sorties before being killed. However, despite their lack of experience, they continued to build on the proud history of their predecessors. Pilots were highly decorated for their bravery the and a total of 282 USA Medals and 23 Korean Medals for bravery such as the Distinguished Flying Cross and Legion of Merit were awarded over this period. The Air Force ground personnel were legendary for their dedication, hard work and technical skills. They were working on their aircraft day and night in sub-zero temperatures and were able to achieve the best serviceability and support for their flying crew. However, as with all other Wars, the death, suffering and mayhem that these men have experienced, have left an indelible impression on them, which has affected their lives and that of their loved ones forever. We honour those 826 South Africans who have volunteered to defend the democracy of the Republic of Korea and those who have sacrificed their lives to do so.

ROLL OF HONOUR OF THE SOUTH AFRICANS WHO HAS PAID THE ULTIMATE

SACRIFICE

Killed in Action

2/Lt D.R. Leah Lt G.D.Doveton Capt J.J. Badenhorst Capt J.F.O. Davis Capt F.M. Bekker Lt N. Biden Lt F.A. Montanari 2/Lt H.T.R. Joyce 2/Lt C.J. Pappas Capt A. Janse v Rensburg 2/Lt J.N. Lellyet Lt G.J. Baransky Lt T.C. Scott Lt J. Moir

Missing in Action Lt W.E. Wilson Lt D.A. Ruiter Lt A.G. Frisby Lt R.M. Du Plooy 2/Lt C.L. De Jongh 2/Lt M.O. Grunder Lt H. Krohn Lt L.W. Parsonson Lt D.L. Taylor Lt J.O. Holtzhausen Capt R.P.G. Kotzenberg

Aircraft Accidents Lt M.H. Rorke 2/Lt T. Liebenberg 2/Lt J.P. Verster Maj L.B. Pearce 2/Lt K.R. Whitehead Lt P.I. Norman-Smith 2/Lt R.L. Staats Capt R.A. Harburn 2/Lt M.C. Botha

Accidents Cpl W.D. Patterson WO1 Carpenter (Who died in

Maurituis on the way to Korea)

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Wreaths inside SAAF Memorial after the ceremony Names of Fallen Hero’s

His Excellency the Ambassador of South Korea,

Jong Dae Park welcoming guests and expressing

the gratitude of the Korean people for the

contribution of the South African Air Force and

in particular the sacrifices of those members who

did not return from the Korean War

Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, past CAF and SAAFA Patron, HE Jong Dae Park, Ambassador of Korea; Lt Gen Denis Earp

Brig Gen Elma De Villiers and busy on his cell phone, and Lt Gen Mike Muller;

Mike Louw SAAFA National President Gen Earp and Gen Muller both Veterans of the Korean War

Happy table! Claire Paine, Maj Gen Hugh Paine, Past President SAAFA; Mr Sung Yoon, CEO of Samsung South Africa; Col Dirk Louw

Cmdr Junghun Kim, Korean Defence Attaché and Mrs Mina Kim. President SAKWVA; HE Jong Dae Park

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Advertisement

2018 CHOPPER OPS RE-UNION Yes, it’s “Chopper Happening” time again. The 2018

CHOPPER OPS RE-UNION is scheduled for Saturday 25

August at the Zwartkop Recreational grounds, Corner Wierda

& Lion Roads, Valhalla. Directions, West on Wierda Road from

the Old Johannesburg Road (around the Sesmyl spruit) for

about 5 km, where you will find it on your right, just after the

Mercedes Benz Headquarters!

A Face Book page, known as 2018 Chopper Operations, has been created with all the relevant

information i.e. clothing, embroidery, etc.

This year’s theme is 70 years of SAAF Chopper - 1948 - 2018. This idea stems from the

operational deployment of the Sikorsky S-51's to eradicate the Tsetse Fly in Zululand in 1948!

This was the first operational deployment of SAAF Choppers! Hence the “new Chopper Ops

Badge!” Like it or not, these 3 choppers were under the operational command of No 12

Squadron, AFB Ysterplaat, but deployed to Hluhluwe for operations, then after 2 crashes, the

remaining 1 became a flight of 28 Sqn, AFB Swartkop. We should look at creating a badge,

possibly with a S-51 & whatever the design.

The venue facility has a camping site, where interested parties can camp for the night. A group

of four would cost around R160.00. Ablutions with hot water are also available. Many B&B’s

are available close by.

An organising committee has been established, however, should anyone wish to contribute,

please don’t hesitate to contact Kevin Viljoen (Cell: 0825886506 or fksviljoen@gmail.com).

Entrance fee will be R50:00 per head, with plenty of parking available.

SAAFA Pretoria Branch will be running the bars, which are scheduled to operate from 11:00

to 23:00 hrs.

Food and memorabilia will be on sale. However, should any additional potential vendors be

interested in selling other memorabilia, please contact Kevin Viljoen (Cell: 0825886506 or

fksviljoen@gmail.com. Only vendors vetted by the Committee will be allowed to trade at the

function! Please fill in the attendance/ memorabilia form attached to assist with the “logistics”

of the function.

A Roll of Remembrance of chopper members that have passed on will be on display. A copy

will be made available for interested parties prior to the function, to update where applicable?

All updates should be forwarded to Kevin Viljoen at fksviljoen@gmail.com, so that the relevant

Committee Member can incorporate the information.

Please inform and invite all potential interested parties!

Hope to see many familiar faces!

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Advertisement

The SA Air Force Memorial Bays’ Hill, Swartkop

By Sydney Fryer

The Memorial, dedicated to all those who

gave their lives in the service of their country, in war and in peace, was opened on September 1st 1963 by the then state President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr CR Swart.

The winning design chosen from 38

entries under the auspices of the Institute of SA Architects and jointly promoted by the SA Air Force Regimental Fund and the SA Air Force Association saw construction starting in October 1962 with completion at the end of August 1963. A total of R16,000 was spent on a specially reinforced foundation, while the construction of the Memorial itself amounted to R57,000.

The Memorial was designed to obtain a

shape sculpturally symbolic of flight when viewed both from the ground and from the air. To this end the building was planned in three wings comprising the accommodation called for: a small non-denominational chapel for family services, caretaker’s office and a machine room for fountain pump and filter plant, with a separate folded slab roof over each. These wings intersect over and enfold a central hall housing a Cenotaph, Rolls of Honour and illuminated scripts. The Cenotaph, the centerpiece of the design, is three sided to

accommodate the SAAF motto, “Per Aspera Ad Astra”, and the two biblical quotations used by them.

The basic element used throughout the

design is that of the equilateral triangle (the form of the contemporary delta aircraft wing profile) and multiples or subdivisions thereof, all proportions being governed by 60, 30, 15 or 7½ degrees angles.

This triangular shape was used not only in the form of the building itself, but is echoed in the various components, paving, window lights, door panels, door handles and grille members. This magnificent building was not the first official SAAF Memorial. This honor befell the SAAF Memorial that stood at the gates of Waterkloof Air Station from inauguration on May 31st 1950 to 1962.

The decision to proceed with the

establishment of a SAAF Memorial and the necessary policies in all matters relating thereto were taken by the SA Air Force Association on the one hand and the SA Air Force on the other.

We can safely say that Col Rod Douglas

was the founder of the SAAF Association after moves by him in 1944 and the formal founding in 1945. He was a big man with big ideas and a big heart, a fine man to have at the helm of the Association. It was not long before he started thinking about some form of tangible Memorial to those who gave their lives in the service of the SAAF and their country. In 1948 Col Rod, as he was known, approached Brig Jimmy Durrant, the then Director General of the Air Force, who supported the idea. Approval was then obtained from the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Pierre van Rhyneveld and the Minister of Defence, Mr. FC Erasmus. Mr. Erasmus gave his approval in principle. The idea of an Air Force remembrance day was also supported.

Early ideas were for a Memorial gate plus

some form of housing for a Roll of Honour in book form. The initial thought was to erect the gate at the entrance of Swartkop Air Station from which so many SAAF personnel left for the North, many never to return.

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Possibly because of the geological nature

of the ground at Swartkop Air Station (the danger of sink holes) the Department of Defence decided that Waterkloof Air Station and not Swartkop Air Station would become the principal and permanent air station serving the area. It was accordingly decided on the recommendation of the SAAF to switch the site for the proposed Memorial gates to the entrance of Waterkloof Air Station.

The SAAF Association undertook to bear

all costs for the erection and maintenance of the Memorial. The National Executive Committee of the SAAF Association decided in April 1949 to proceed with fund-raising. The total projected budget for the erection was £3,000. The NEC recorded its requirements at a resolution taken on 7 December 1949. The Pretoria Branch of the Association was then approached to have the Memorial erected and inaugurated on May 31st 1950. A sub-committee consisting of Col HB George, Jock Reid and RF Bell (convener) was appointed. Other members who became closely involved in various capacities were Normie MacRobert, Dr John Leppan, Reg Dennett, and Dave Hastie.

The design for the Memorial allowed for a

small cenotaph formed of a concrete shell clad externally in thin granite slabs with granite external facing and decorative gates each side.

On March 15th 1950 the Minister’s

approval was obtained subject to certain stipulations that were accepted by SAAF Association NEC on 20 March. The contract for the Memorial was placed with ACH Clarke (Pty) Ltd and was duly completed on time.

The cost of the Memorial to the amount of

£2,523.17.2 was borne by the SAAF Association, with a contribution of £148.0.5 by various SAAF messes and members of the SAAF. Below the eagle on the face of the cenotaph the Air Force motto “Per Aspera Ad Astra” was engraved in the stonework.

Inscriptions on the sides were as follows: On one side “They shall mount up with wings as eagles” – Isaiah 40:31, and on the other side “Vinniger as arende was hulle, sterker as leeus” – 2 Samuel 1:23.

The unveiling took place in fine weather in

the presence of a large crowd of several thousand people, a large presence from the SA Air Force and many dignitaries. The SAAF planned for and carried out the required arrangements in the exemplary fashion expected from them. The principal credit for the fine arrangements must go to Col H.J. (Kalfie) Martin, then Officer Commanding AFS Waterkloof. He later became Chief of the Air Force and a Patron of the SAAF Association after retirement.

On the dais

were Sir Pierre van Ryneveld, who delivered the principal address, the

Director General of the SAAF, Brig Jimmy Durrant, Col Rod Douglas of the SAAF Association, the then President of the SAAF Association, Mr Bill King, Mrs OM Swales who performed the unveiling and three Defense Force Chaplains, Rev JA Gurney, Rev SA Burger and Rev WA Buckley.

Mrs OM Swales was the mother of Capt

Edwin Swales, VC, DFC, a member of the SAAF, seconded to the RAF. On February 23rd 1945, the day after his DFC was announced, a press

report stated that Capt Swales lost his life keeping his crippled plane going after being hit in a raid at Pforzheim.

In 1955 the problems with proposed road

deviations again surfaced.

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It was also found to be difficult to develop a memorial garden close up to the adjacent township. These factors gave rise to the notion to move the Memorial to Bays Hill, the location of the current SAAF Memorial.

A working committee under the

chairmanship of Col GT Moll was established to consider the proposed move and submit recommendations to the SAAF Regimental Fund. During negotiations with various parties, it was clear that the State would not consider paying for the move and that the costs would have to be borne by the SAAF Regimental Fund.

The Chief of the General Staff of the

Defence Force was requested to discuss with the Treasury the obtaining of the Bays Hill property for the establishment of the Memorial on that site. The ground, totalling 3,9 morgen was made available on February 8th 1956. At this time Swartkop Air Station was again regarded as the principal air station in the Pretoria area and in nearly all respects Bays Hill was regarded as an ideal site. At this time it had become evident that a reconstruction of the Waterkloof Memorial would be impractical and that a new approach would be necessary. The SAAF Association was enthusiastic about the proposed new development and, in June 1955, issued its first national newsletter announcing the proposals. The proposals included not only the memorial itself, but provision for services, parades, seating and parking, as also provision for access roads and gardening. It was now proposed by the SAAF that their Regimental Fund would bear the cost of the Memorial and that the SAAF Association would make a limited contribution of some £2,500. It meant that the SA Air Force would have sole control of the Memorial. While the SAAF Association appreciated the gesture of the SAAF to meet the full cost it was agreed that the SAAF Association would be responsible for half of the costs and would

be an equal partner in all respects for the erection and maintenance of the Memorial.

With the view to the scope of the

proposed new memorial and it’s prominence in respect of the new site, the SAAF and SAAF Association decided to proceed with a national architectural competition for the new design, subject to the conditions advised by the Institute of SA Architects. Professor John Fassler was appointed as the assessor.

The competition was proceeded with and

professor Fassler named the winner as Taylor & Taylor of Johannesburg, with McLennan & Zeffert in the second place, and HC Floyd of Cape Town in third place.

The design of John and Shona Taylor

visualised the beautiful construction that stands on Bays Hill today. The original bronze eagle together with the original granite inscriptions and certain paving from the Waterkloof Memorial were incorporated into the new design.

Some opposition was received from the

then Minister of Defence, Mr FC Erasmus, on the design, the budget as well as the possibility that the new SAAF Memorial would distract from the grandeur of the Voortrekker Monument. Although no objection was offered from the Control Board of the Voortrekker Monument, approval from Mr Erasmus was not forthcoming.

In December 1959 Mr JP Fouché replaced

Mr Erasmus as Minister of Defence. The matter was once again referred to a committee representing the Voortrekker Monument, the Department of Public Works and the Transvaal Provincial Administration and chaired by Dr Nicol in his capacity as the Chairman of the Control Board of the Voortrekker Monument. Their first meeting on 15 June 1960 was also attended by Maj Gen BG Viljoen (Air Chief of Staff) and Brig CH Hartzenberg.

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Col PM Retief of the SAAF had had two

cranes placed on top of Bays Hill in such a way to represent the proposed apex of the memorial. He had taken photographs from various positions and a report from him stated that the visibility and impressiveness of the Voortrekker Monument would in no way be prejudiced. He also said that in contrast to the much bigger and higher water tower on Garrison Hill (Jan Kemp Hill) the proposed SAAF Memorial would appear almost insignificant. The committee and the officers also visited the site on Bays Hill.

The report from Dr Nicol and his committee

was handed to Mr Fouché on August 24th 1960. The committee unanimously approved the Memorial design and siting. In relation to the Voortrekker Monument they stated that the SAAF Memorial would appear small and ethereal. Mr Fouché did not delay his decision and on August 25th 1960 gave his approval for the erection of the Memorial. The Chief of the Air Force, Maj Gen BG Viljoen appointed a committee to oversee the erection of the Memorial. The committee also included representation from the SAAF Association: Col GT Moll, SAAF, Chairman Col DA Du Toit, SAAF, Vice Chairman Officer Commanding, Swartkop Air Station DS Rogan, President of SAAFA Dr JVA Leppan, Past President of SAAFA VB Ruiter Maj Samuels, SAAF, Secretary The committee met for the first time on November 14th 1960 to formulate a program. The also appointed the following professional team: Architects: Taylor & Taylor Quantity Surveyors: T Moore & Bell Consulting Structural Engineers: Ove Arup & Partners

The known dolomitic nature of the area was

the first challenge of the team. Test holes were drilled early in 1961 and Mr B Isaacs of Ove Arup & Partners confirmed the suspect nature of the ground conditions. He however stated that the Bays Hill area was probably the best spot in the area due to good surface drainage and no apparent underground holes. He further confirmed that the weight of the Memorial itself would not be a problem. He did recommend that special care be taken with the foundations of the Memorial.

Various other studies were done, amongst

other by the Mining Department, the University of the Witwatersrand and the CSIR.

Ove Arup & Partners investigated various

techniques to deal with the foundation problem. One was to put down a huge concrete column on which the Memorial could be placed. This plan would call for a column of about 24 meters deep. The eventual design was to use a concrete raft composed of six major beams each 1,2 x 2,4 x 46 meter long. These were reinforced with some 160 tons of scrap steel railway lines. Smaller intermediate crossbeams connect the larger beams. The foundation and earthworks contract to the value of R16,000 were awarded to the firm Katzen & Rogers and started on May 1st 1962.

The contract for the superstructure and

remainder of the work was awarded to Transvaal Construction (Pty) Ltd. The total estimated cost, including the foundations, now stood at R77,000, considerably more than the original estimates which did of course not envisage the special foundation requirements. It was nevertheless agreed to proceed with the project and the SA Air Force and the SAAF Association agreed to guarantee R40,000 and R37,000 respectively. The parties further agreed to have joint responsibility over the control and maintenance of the Memorial, an arrangement that still stands today.

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Construction of the Memorial started in May

1962 and Transvaal Construction, of which Mr Henk Muuren was the principal director, achieved a good standard of work, in spite of the complexities of the reinforced concrete structure. Great care was taken to use as much local material such as Granite from Namaqualand and Stinkwood from Knysna. The original gates from the Waterkloof Memorial were re-used at the main entrance of the new SAAF Memorial.

The Memorial, together with terraces for

seating, roads, grassing etc, was completed in 1963.

A plaque on the Memorial reads: “Erected

by the South African Air Force and the Air Force Association. In remembrance of all who offered up their lives in peace and in war”.

The ceremony on September 1st 1963 was

a magnificent success and was attended by some 5000 people whose number included a long list of dignitaries. Mr Jim Fouché, Minister of

Defence, attended, as did Air Force representatives from neighbouring countries.

The State President, Mr CR Swart, was the

principal guest and conducted the unveiling.

The passage of time has not always been

kind to the Memorial in spite of the use of good materials. From a cost point of view there was limitation on certain external materials – for instance, the use of slate instead of granite for the access paving and terrazzo instead of granite for the surrounds to the three pools.

The SAAF Memorial is a living monument,

with continuous upgrades and development. The surrounding gardens have grown significantly over the years and the access roads and parking areas were changed to ease the flow of traffic during Memorial Days.

With the end of Apartheid in 1994 and the

subsequent amalgamation of the various Air Forces into the new SA Air Force, the memorial was found not to be representative of the relevant history, as it did not include all groups. To this end a Commemorative Stone with an Eternal Flame was designed and built in the center of the main entrance walkway to the SAAF Memorial. It lists the forces that became the new SA Air Force as:

Azanian People’s Liberation Army Bophuthatswana Air Force Ciskei Defence Force Air Wing Mkontho We Sizwe (Armed wing of the ANC) SA Air Force Transkei Defence Force Air Wing Venda Defence Force Air Wing

The memory of the “Unknown Airman”.

On 5 May 2002, the Chief of the National

Defence Force, Gen S Nyanda, SSA, DMG, MMS, MMM unveiled this addition to the SAAF Memorial during the Air Force Memorial Day of that year.

The

Eternal Flame Dedicated to the Unknown Soldier has subsequently been relocated to inside the Memorial where it could be better seen by the public and make the Memorial more representative.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

AFB WATERKLOOF WHO TURN 80 YEARS OLD THIS MONTH

"Acquirit Qui Tuetur"

(He Obtains Who Defends)

AFB Waterkloof is situated just south of

Pretoria and a few minutes flying time from AFB Swartkop. The base was officially opened on 1 August 1938 as Waterkloof Air Station and is the busiest airbase in the SAAF.

The base was established in 1938 initially

as a practice force landing field secondary to AFB Swartkop. During those years, the airfield measured 1775 x 1550 yards of a grass landing strip that was typical and adequate for aircraft types of the 1930 and 40’s.

With the introduction of jet-powered aircraft

such as the Vampire, a new problem arose. The Vampire with its typical low-slung tail pipe, the jet efflux destroyed earth and grass runways in close proximity. Plans to lay tarmac runways with concrete hard stands were accelerated and it was decided to construct tarred runways at AFS Waterkloof for the new generation of fighter jets.

In July 1951 the newly delivered Vampire

aircraft of 1 Squadron was moved to AFS Swartkop in preparation for the construction work to commence. In August of that year the last aircraft to leave Waterkloof, was the Auster MkV’s of 42 Squadron, who operated out of the base for a while

Work was scheduled to start on 7 January

1952 and it was estimated that it would take 2½ years at a cost of £434 000.

The planning was that 1,2,3,4

and 42 Squadrons will operate out of Waterkloof on completion

together with 1 and 15 Air Depots. However, this did not materialised as the base was only ready in 1956.

The period thereafter however saw the vast

expansion of the South African Air Force of the 1960's and 1970's. A host of new equipment were introduced, units reformed, personnel expertise increased and AFB Waterkloof became the foremost SAAF airbase that it is today.

The base is also responsible for the

management of the Ditholo Training Area (previously known as the Air Defence Artillery Defence Unit) at Hammanskraal.

During 2008/9 AFB Waterkloof was

upgraded with the runway being the main part of the upgrade.

The following units reside on the base: 1 Air

Servicing Unit; 21 Sqn; 28 Sqn; 41 Sqn; 44 Sqn; 5 ASU; 504 Sqn; Central Photographic Institute; Electronic Warfare Centre; Joint Air Reconnaissance Centre; Telecommunication Centre.

In 1995 the AMD organised the hugely

successful SAAF ’75 Expo in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the South African Air Force (SAAF) at AFB Waterkloof. Since then the Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo (AAD) has successfully taken place every second year at AFB Waterkloof, except during the year that the runway was upgraded.

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Dates to remember in AUGUST

1 Aug 2018

AFB Waterkloof 80th Anniversary (Base function only)

• 17 Aug 2018

SAAFA Lunch AFB Zwartkop Airman’s Mess

1300 for

1400

19 Aug 2018

Border Boys Memorial MOTH Eloffsdal

1100

25 Aug 2018

Chopper Reunion; Zwartkop Lapa

1100 to 2300

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WOE

Crow Stannard

Heila Greyling

Annemarie Zurich

Anna Bauer Wife of Wynand Bauer

Les Beddingfield from Ad Astra Flats

Thank you for all the positive feedback since our last issue. It is pleasing to

hear that you enjoy the way we communicate information to our members and

the manner of letting you know what is happening at our branch.

I did get some persons criticising the newsletter, but let me ease their minds

by saying, yes, we did make some deliberate mistakes in the newsletter, the reason, if there

weren’t any mistakes you would be not be able to find fault with what we are trying to achieve.

We attempt to get the newsletter out by the first of each month, so you know what is coming

up and what happened during the previous month. Keep sending suggestions and articles for

the newsletter via Jaap or Mossie to keep the “Stick and Throttle” worth reading and looking

forward to each month.

A few people have asked me exactly what a Levy is, so I shall try and explain it to the best of

my ability.

A levy is essentially a fund for the day-to-day maintenance and management of an organisation/development. The funds are a vital component for the effective and efficient running of the organisation and provide the necessary financial support for the upkeep and longevity of the organisation.

The funds collected are also used to cover administrative costs like management fees, bank

charges and stationery and insurance for the property.

I hope the explanation has cleared some gray areas you may have had and should also be

read in conjunction with the front-page article.

As a bonus to our loyal readers I have included a letter of which will be published in sections

over the next few months of Ralph the Cattle Station pilot. Enjoy.

Letter from an Australian Cattle Station Pilot, Ralph Bell, from Mud Creek Station

G’day Mate,

I am writing to you because I need your help to get my pilot’s license back. You keep telling

me you got all the right contacts. Well now’s your chance to make something happen for me

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because, mate, I’m bloody desperate. But first, I’d better tell you what happened during my

last flight review with the Civil Aviation of Australia Examiner.

On the phone, Ron (that’s the CAA D*#@head), seemed a reasonable sort of bloke. He

politely reminded me of the need to do a flight review every two years. He even offered to

drive out, have a look over my property and let me operate from my own strip. Naturally I

agreed to that.

Anyway, Ron turned up last Wednesday. First up, he said he was a bit surprised to see the

plane on a small strip outside my homestead, because the “ALA” (Authorised Landing Area),

is about a mile away. I explained that because this strip was so close to the homestead, it was

more convenient than the “ALA” and, despite the power lines crossing about midway down

the strip, it’s really not a problem to land and take-off, because at the halfway point down

the strip you’re usually still on the ground.

For some reason, Ron seemed nervous. So, although I had done the pre-flight inspection only

four days earlier, I decided to do it all over again. Because Ron was watching me carefully, I

walked around the plane three times instead of my usual two!

My effort was rewarded because the color finally returned to Ron’s cheeks. In fact, they went

bright red. In view of Ron’s better mood, I told him I was going to combine the test flight

with some farm work as I had to deliver three “poddy calves” from the home paddock to the

main herd. After a bit of a chase, I finally caught the calves and threw into the back of the

ol’ Cessna 172. We climbed aboard but Ron started getting onto me about weight and balance

calculations and all that jargon. Of course I knew that sort of thing was a waste of time

because calves like to move around a bit particularly when they see themselves 100 meters off

the ground! So, as you know, it’s bloody pointless trying to secure! However, I did tell Ron

that he shouldn’t worry as I always keep the trim wheel set neutral to ensure we remain pretty

stable throughout the flight.

Anyway, I started the engine and cleverly minimized the warm-up time by tramping hard on

the brakes and gunning her to 2 500 RPM. I then discovered that Ron has very acute hearing

even though he was wearing a bloody headset! Through all that noise he detected a metallic

rattle and demanded I account for it. Actually, it began about a month ago and was caused

by a screwdriver that fell down a hole in the floor and lodged in the fuel selector mechanism;

the selector can’t be moved now, but it doesn’t matter because it’s jammed on “All tanks,” so

I suppose that’s okay.

However, as Ron was obviously a nit-picker, I blamed the noise on vibration from a stainless

steel thermos flak which I keep in a beaut little “possie” between the windshield and the

magnetic compass. My explanation seemed to relax Ron because he slumped back in the seat

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and kept looking up at the cockpit roof. I released the brakes to taxi out but, unfortunately,

the plane gave a leap and spun to the right. “Hell”, I thought, “not the starboard wheel chock

again.” ……………… (To be continued) Ralph is about to taxi, what will happen next? The outcome will be revealed during next month’s Stick

and Throttle when you may continue reading Ralph’s letter asking for help to get his pilot’s license back.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome on board our fourth flight of the year. Hopefully the worst cold

is behind us, and seeing that I have a small break, let me update you on some more useless

facts of my industry

1. In 2012, 1 715 airlines operated a fleet of 23 000 aircraft, serving 3 750 airports, through

a route network of several million km’s, managed by 160 air navigation service

providers. As for the world's longest flight, that title is held by Turkish Airlines.

2. Can you believe that hijacking of aircraft was not officially outlawed until 1961?

3. Air travel is the second safest form or transportation. Only the elevator/escalator is safer, although it would take quite some time to travel 1,000 miles on an escalator.

4. The strobe lights on the wing tips of an Airbus make a double flash, on a Boeing they

make a single flash.

5. On 11th June 1962, Air India became the world’s first all Jet airline.

CHEERS FOR NOW Put up your tray and seat up

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The abridged version of the history of the history of the SAAF Memorial was written by Sydney Fryer and as appears in the SAAFA

website (www.saafa.co.za). Sincere gratitude to Sydney for permission to abridge and publish his article in the Stick & Throttle.

To our trusty camera people, without you it will only be all words and nothing else:

Johann; Nic; Phillip; Wayne; Stacey Leigh, Hennie

Our reporters: Dirk; Mossie; Ommies; Phillip; Renier;

Disclaimer: The views expressed in

this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official views of the SA Air Force Association