5 Squadron SAAF was a South African Air Force Fighter / Fighter-Bomber squadron during World War II. It was disbanded at the end of the war and was re-commissioned in 1950. It remained active until 2 October 1992, when it was disbanded; its Atlas Cheetah E aircraft were also decommissioned.
The squadron was initially designated as a fighter-bomber unit and formed in Cape Town in April 1939. It was only active for eight months and was disbanded in December that year. It was re-formed on 7 May 1941 as a fighter squadron operating from Zwartkop Air Station equipped with Mohawk Vs. It deployed to Egypt in December 1941 re-equipped with Tomahawk IIBs.[1]
The squadron was initially tasked with providing anti-shipping patrols and subsequently deployed as a fighter squadron over the Western Desert battlefield area. At the end of 1942 it received Kittyhawk IIIs and later Kittyhawk IVs and began to specialize in the ground-attack role, although still being retained as an ordinary fighter squadron as required. After the cessation of hostilities in Africa, the squadron moved to Malta to support the invasion of Sicily, after which it moved to that island and then on to mainland Italy. By the time the squadron was deployed to Italy, it was used only in the ground attack role.[1]
While deployed to Italy, the squadron flew close air support and fighter-bomber missions, some over Yugoslavia. The squadron took part in the battles on the Sangro River, Monte Cassino and the Gustav and Gothic Lines. The Kittyhawks were replaced by Mustang IIIs (and later Mustang IVs) and these aircraft were retained until the end of the war in Italy when the squadron was disbanded.[1]
5 Squadron was re-formed in Durban in December 1950 as an 'Active Citizen Force' unit flying Harvards. It was re-equipped with Impala Mk Is in July 1973 and Impala Mk IIs in early 1981. The squadron then moved to AFB Louis Trichardt to be equipped with Cheetah Es. It was finally disbanded on 2 October 1992 when its Cheetah aircraft were decommissioned.[1]
Aircraft
Aircraft flown by 5 Squadron Note: Aircraft type photographs may not necessarily represent aircraft of the same mark or actual aircraft belonging to the squadron.
Media related to 5 Squadron SAAF at Wikimedia Commons
January 07, 2023
squadron, saaf, south, african, force, fighter, fighter, bomber, squadron, during, world, disbanded, commissioned, 1950, remained, active, until, october, 1992, when, disbanded, atlas, cheetah, aircraft, were, also, decommissioned, squadroncheetah, fighteracti. 5 Squadron SAAF was a South African Air Force Fighter Fighter Bomber squadron during World War II It was disbanded at the end of the war and was re commissioned in 1950 It remained active until 2 October 1992 when it was disbanded its Atlas Cheetah E aircraft were also decommissioned 5 SquadronCheetah E FighterActive1939 1941 1944 1950 1992Country South AfricaBranchSouth African Air ForceRoleWorld War II Fighter and Fighter BomberPost World War II Fighter SquadronGarrison HQAFB Louis Trichardt when disbandedNickname s The Shakas named after the Zulu warrior King Shaka 1 Motto s Difficultates Aspiciemus We shall confront all difficulties InsigniaSquadron Identification CodeGL 1939 1945 2 5 Squadron Insignia Contents 1 History 2 Aircraft 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditThe squadron was initially designated as a fighter bomber unit and formed in Cape Town in April 1939 It was only active for eight months and was disbanded in December that year It was re formed on 7 May 1941 as a fighter squadron operating from Zwartkop Air Station equipped with Mohawk Vs It deployed to Egypt in December 1941 re equipped with Tomahawk IIBs 1 The squadron was initially tasked with providing anti shipping patrols and subsequently deployed as a fighter squadron over the Western Desert battlefield area At the end of 1942 it received Kittyhawk IIIs and later Kittyhawk IVs and began to specialize in the ground attack role although still being retained as an ordinary fighter squadron as required After the cessation of hostilities in Africa the squadron moved to Malta to support the invasion of Sicily after which it moved to that island and then on to mainland Italy By the time the squadron was deployed to Italy it was used only in the ground attack role 1 While deployed to Italy the squadron flew close air support and fighter bomber missions some over Yugoslavia The squadron took part in the battles on the Sangro River Monte Cassino and the Gustav and Gothic Lines The Kittyhawks were replaced by Mustang IIIs and later Mustang IVs and these aircraft were retained until the end of the war in Italy when the squadron was disbanded 1 5 Squadron was re formed in Durban in December 1950 as an Active Citizen Force unit flying Harvards It was re equipped with Impala Mk Is in July 1973 and Impala Mk IIs in early 1981 The squadron then moved to AFB Louis Trichardt to be equipped with Cheetah Es It was finally disbanded on 2 October 1992 when its Cheetah aircraft were decommissioned 1 Aircraft EditAircraft flown by 5 SquadronNote Aircraft type photographs may not necessarily represent aircraft of the same mark or actual aircraft belonging to the squadron Curtiss Mohawk1941 Curtiss Tomahawk1941 1942 Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark IIIItaly 1942 1945 Mustangs of 5 Squadron SAAFItaly 1942 1945 North American T 6 Harvard1950 1973 Atlas Impala Mk I1973 Atlas Impala Mk II1981 Atlas Cheetah E 1992See also EditList of World War II aces from South AfricaReferences EditCitations a b c d e Dyason Anton IMG IPMS SA Media Group 5 Squadron Archived from the original on 2012 04 02 Retrieved 2011 09 09 Martin H J Lt Gen Orpen N D 1978 Eagles Victorious South African Forces World War II Cape Town Purnell p 207 ISBN 0 86843 008 0 Aviation Pictures ZA SAAF A pictorial history permanent dead link External links Edit Media related to 5 Squadron SAAF at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 5 Squadron SAAF amp oldid 1005668492, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
