12 Squadron SAAF
Encyclopedia
12 Squadron was a South African Air Force
squadron that served in World War II in East Africa and the Western Desert as a medium bomber squadron. After the war, the squadron was used in various roles, including that of a helicopter squadron until 1963 when it was equipped with Canberra light bombers - remaining a light bomber and reconnaissance squadron until disbanded in 1990.
when it attacked the town of Moyale
using Junkers Ju 86
bombers. 12 Squadron later saw combat during the Second Battle of El Alamein
operating Boston light bombers. Following the end of the war in Europe the squadron flew South African personnel home until it was disbanded.
12 Squadron was re-formed in October 1946 equipped with Avro Anson
aircraft for anti-Tsetse fly
spraying duties. It operated in this role in Zululand
and Mtubatuba. The squadron was later re-equipped with Sikorsky S-51 helicopters, but was eventually made a flight of 28 Squadron
.
The squadron was re-formed in late 1963 to operate English Electric Canberra
bombers. It was the only SAAF squadron equipped with Canberras, and they were used as both tactical bombers and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The squadron saw combat over Angola
during the South African Border War
, and was still active with these aircraft as of 1981. 12 Squadron was disbanded in 1990. Two ex-12 Squadron Canberras have been preserved by the SAAF.
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
squadron that served in World War II in East Africa and the Western Desert as a medium bomber squadron. After the war, the squadron was used in various roles, including that of a helicopter squadron until 1963 when it was equipped with Canberra light bombers - remaining a light bomber and reconnaissance squadron until disbanded in 1990.
History
12 Squadron was formed in December 1939. On 16 June 1940 it flew the first SAAF bombing raid against Italian forces in AbysinnaEthiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
when it attacked the town of Moyale
Moyale
Moyale is a market town on the border of Ethiopia and Kenya, which is split between the two countries: the larger portion is in Ethiopia , and the smaller is in Kenya . There are four disputed locations within the Moyale district between the Somali and Oromo regions...
using Junkers Ju 86
Junkers Ju 86
The Junkers Ju 86 was a German monoplane bomber and civilian airliner designed in the early 1930s, and employed by both sides during World War II. The civilian model Ju 86B could carry 10 passengers. Two were delivered to Swissair and five to Luft Hansa...
bombers. 12 Squadron later saw combat during the Second Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
operating Boston light bombers. Following the end of the war in Europe the squadron flew South African personnel home until it was disbanded.
12 Squadron was re-formed in October 1946 equipped with Avro Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
aircraft for anti-Tsetse fly
Tsetse fly
Tsetse , sometimes spelled tzetze and also known as tik-tik flies, are large biting flies that inhabit much of mid-continental Africa between the Sahara and the Kalahari deserts. They live by feeding on the blood of vertebrate animals and are the primary biological vectors of trypanosomes, which...
spraying duties. It operated in this role in Zululand
Natal Province
Natal, meaning "Christmas" in Portuguese, was a province of South Africa from 1910 until 1994. Its capital was Pietermaritzburg. The Natal Province included the bantustan of KwaZulu...
and Mtubatuba. The squadron was later re-equipped with Sikorsky S-51 helicopters, but was eventually made a flight of 28 Squadron
28 Squadron SAAF
28 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is currently a medium transport squadron flying Lockheed C-130BZ and F Hercules medium transport aircraft....
.
The squadron was re-formed in late 1963 to operate English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
bombers. It was the only SAAF squadron equipped with Canberras, and they were used as both tactical bombers and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The squadron saw combat over Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
during the South African Border War
South African Border War
The South African Border War, commonly referred to as the Angolan Bush War in South Africa, was a conflict that took place from 1966 to 1989 in South-West Africa and Angola between South Africa and its allied forces on the one side and the Angolan government, South-West Africa People's...
, and was still active with these aircraft as of 1981. 12 Squadron was disbanded in 1990. Two ex-12 Squadron Canberras have been preserved by the SAAF.