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Veterans Tales

SAAFA has an ongoing care of the aged Association proposed that a national Air Force camaraderie; to preserve our Air
project nationwide. Force Memorial be built and agreed to Force heritage and continue dynamic
cover half the overall costs. The magnif- SAAF/SAAFA interaction
Welfare grants, food parcels and Christ- icent Air Force Memorial as we know it
mas cheer have over the years been made today was completed in 1963 on Bays’
to members and members dependents. Hill, overlooking AFB Swartkop.
Together with the South African Legion
improvements in war pensions were for Jointly hosted with the South African Air
ex-SAAF members and their dependents Force, Memorial Services are held at the
were negotiated. Successful applications Air Force Memorial in May every year.
for tax exemptions for special flying Also at the suggestion of the SAAF Asso-
allowances were negotiated as were many ciation to the SAAF, Citizen Force Squad-
other issues requiring the SAAF Associa- rons were established at Cape Town,
tion to lobby with Government, Provinc- Durban, Germiston, Johannesburg, Port Col Billy Port and Lt Col Basie Jansen taking their
es and various organisations. Elizabeth and Pretoria. Alouette III back home to AFB Swkp ►

The Air Force Fund was started dur- Editor’s Note: Thanks Philip Weyers for
ing the War to provide funds to donate sharing both the details about the SAAFA
“Spitfire” aircraft to the Royal Air Force. as well as photos taken at the 75 Year
At the cessation of hostilities remain- celebrations held at the Inanda Club, Jo-
ing funds were distributed to SAAFA hannesburg – the same venue where the
Branches and the RAF Benevolent Fund. inaugural even was held all those years
The Association administered funds ago. http://www.saafa.co.za/
for 1939/45 SAAF Veterans in need on
behalf of the Air Force Fund. Housing The SAAF is the second oldest air force
Memorials in the form of blocks of flats ► Col Basil Hersov, Hon.Col 21 Sqn, Col Mike in the world. Next month we’ll be sharing
were built in Pretoria, Cape Town and Jo- Louw, National President SAAFA, Philip Weyers, another of Philip’s contributions. The
hannesburg. Past members of the SAAF, Past President SAAFA fascinating story of General Jan Smuts –
and in instances their surviving spouses, his pivotal role in strategic air superiority
occupy flats at sub-economic rentals. Two Ongoing and continuous support to the vision. Not only was Gen Smuts involved
of these facilities, in Pretoria and Johan- SAAF in peace and conflict as experi- with the creation of the SAAF – believe
nesburg, continue to offer this service, enced during the Berlin Airlift, the 1947 it or not, he had a very hefty hand and
Cape Town having sold their facility to Royal Visit and the Korean War was involvement, not only in the formation
the University of Cape Town. provided. The support of and relationship of the SAAF but also the beginnings of
with the South African Air Force remains offensive air power reasoning which lead
Resulting from a proposal by the SAAF today a high priority objective of SAAFA. to the inception of the RAF.
Association, the first Air Force Memorial Today the South African Air Force
was built at the entrance to the Waterk- Association continues the legacy of
loof Air Force Station in 1957. The site supporting the ex-SAAF aged and needy;
subsequently proved unsuitable for a to perpetuate of SAAF men and women
number of reasons and again the SAAF killed in the line of duty; to foster Air

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