8 Squadron SAAF
Encyclopedia
8 Squadron was a South African Air Force squadron during World War II and was again active between 1951 and 2001. During this second period, it was designated at different times as either a Citizen Force or Permanent Force squadron and was disbanded on 31 March 2001.
released from 43 Squadron RAF
but was disbanded seven months later in August 1942 and was never operationally deployed during the war. On 1 January 1951, the squadron was re-constituted at Bloemspruit as the Citizen Force element of 24 Squadron
flying Harvards. In 1957 the squadron was assigned the role of presenting the Harvard Weapons Course and was split between permanent and citizen force flights. The Permanent Force Flight was responsible for the weapons course training, a role retained until 1970.
In 1973 the unit was converted to Impala Mk I's and in November 1974 became the first squadron to be equipped with Impala Mk IIs. The squadron again reverted back to a full Permanent Force staffing structure and was employed in the light attack role during the South African Border War.30mm cannons and capacity of up to 1 814 kg bombs or rocket pods (Williams (1997) pp.79) During this time, the squadron was one of the few Air Force squadrons to have a pilot honoured with the Honoris Crux Silver
Medal, awarded to Maj. R.C.M. (Dick) Lewer for bravery.Awarded for close air support to an ambushed 31 Bn company close to Xangongo, deployed as a stopper group for the opening of Operation Protea. Lewer repeatedly attacked a large force of SWAPO/FAPLA elements who had pinned down a SADF company in his single seat Impala. Operating alone and at night, his continued attacks allowed the company to withdraw to safety. (Bagshaw (1990), pp 21)
In 1994 the unit was designated as one of the four remaining fighter units after the 1994 Defense Force rationalisation program. and in April 1999 the squadron was relocated from its long standing base in Bloemfontein to AFB Hoedspruit. It was disbanded on 31 March 2001 when the Impalas were retired from service.
| lines = 2
| width = 180
| height = 120
|HawkerFury43sqn.jpg|Alt Text|Hawker Fury
1942|SNJ-4 Texan 7667.jpg|Alt Text|North American T-6 Harvard)
1951-1973|Impala Mk1-PE Airport.jpg|Alt Text|Atlas Impala Mk I
1973-1974
}}
History
It was formed in February 1942 and was equipped with Hawker FuriesHawker Fury
The Hawker Fury was a British biplane fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in the 1930s. It was originally named the Hornet and was the counterpart to the Hawker Hart light bomber.-Design and development:...
released from 43 Squadron RAF
No. 43 Squadron RAF
No. 43 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron originally formed in 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It last operated the Panavia Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars, Scotland in the air defence role until disbanded in July 2009.-In World War I:...
but was disbanded seven months later in August 1942 and was never operationally deployed during the war. On 1 January 1951, the squadron was re-constituted at Bloemspruit as the Citizen Force element of 24 Squadron
24 Squadron SAAF
24 Squadron SAAF is a disbanded squadron of the South African Air Force. Its last role was as an attack aircraft squadron. The squadron was first formed on 5 March 1941 by renumbering 14 Squadron SAAF in Egypt....
flying Harvards. In 1957 the squadron was assigned the role of presenting the Harvard Weapons Course and was split between permanent and citizen force flights. The Permanent Force Flight was responsible for the weapons course training, a role retained until 1970.
In 1973 the unit was converted to Impala Mk I's and in November 1974 became the first squadron to be equipped with Impala Mk IIs. The squadron again reverted back to a full Permanent Force staffing structure and was employed in the light attack role during the South African Border War.30mm cannons and capacity of up to 1 814 kg bombs or rocket pods (Williams (1997) pp.79) During this time, the squadron was one of the few Air Force squadrons to have a pilot honoured with the Honoris Crux Silver
Honoris Crux Silver
The Honoris Crux Silver was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration The Honoris Crux Silver (HCS) was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four...
Medal, awarded to Maj. R.C.M. (Dick) Lewer for bravery.Awarded for close air support to an ambushed 31 Bn company close to Xangongo, deployed as a stopper group for the opening of Operation Protea. Lewer repeatedly attacked a large force of SWAPO/FAPLA elements who had pinned down a SADF company in his single seat Impala. Operating alone and at night, his continued attacks allowed the company to withdraw to safety. (Bagshaw (1990), pp 21)
In 1994 the unit was designated as one of the four remaining fighter units after the 1994 Defense Force rationalisation program. and in April 1999 the squadron was relocated from its long standing base in Bloemfontein to AFB Hoedspruit. It was disbanded on 31 March 2001 when the Impalas were retired from service.
Aircraft
Note: Aircraft type photographs may not necessarily represent aircraft of the same mark or actual aircraft belonging to the Squadron.| lines = 2
| width = 180
| height = 120
|HawkerFury43sqn.jpg|Alt Text|Hawker Fury
1942|SNJ-4 Texan 7667.jpg|Alt Text|North American T-6 Harvard)
1951-1973|Impala Mk1-PE Airport.jpg|Alt Text|Atlas Impala Mk I
1973-1974
}}