National Experiences - British Commission for Military History

274 ai r p o w e r in 20 t H Ce n t u ry do C t r i n e s a n d em p l o y m e n t - nat i o n a l ex p e r i e n C e s
whom 34 pilots and two ground personnel were killed and eight became prisoners of
war. 13 The South Africans could claim to the destruction of, among other things, 18
tanks, 160 artillery pieces, 120 anti-aircraft guns, 615 vehicles, 4 locomotives and
200 railway trucks. After the end of the war 2 Squadron received a United States
Presidential Unit Citation, because it had displayed “… such gallantry, determination
and esprit de corps in accomplishing its missions under extremely difficult and
hazardous conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same
campaign”. 14
The apartheid years
The apartheid-era was a difficult period for the SAAF. Not only did it progressively
suffer under various armaments boycotts due to the pariah status of South
Africa, but it also had to maintain its combat readiness as South Africa was involved
in a conflict in Southwest Africa (Namibia)/Angola border region.
After successfully operating Sabres in Korea, the SAAF ordered 34 of the latest
version, the Sabre Mk 6. These were delivered after 1956 and SAAF 1 and 2
Squadrons now flew 16 Sabres and 12 de Havilland Vampires each. For maritime
patrols the SAAF acquired the Avro Shackleton Mk3. From 1957 onwards a countrywide
national air defence radar network was developed and a school for airspace, air
traffic and fighter controllers established. This infrastructure is still in service, however,
it has been modernised and operates fixed as well as mobile installations. 15
During the 1960s and 1970s South Africa was increasingly isolated as a result of
its apartheid policies. As African countries received independence from their former
colonial masters, the South African state felt increasingly threatened by its Warsaw
bloc-backed neighbours. This resulted in the acquisition of new fighters, bombers,
transport aircraft and helicopters, as well as the development of locally manufactured
air-launched ordnance. The expansion and modernisation process included the
following: Sixteen Aermacchi MB326 aircraft were acquired from Italy in 1966,
where after it was locally produced under licence as the Impala by Atlas Aircraft
Corporation. Also in the 1960s followed the acquisition of a fleet of Mirage III and
Mirage F1 fighters, Canberra and Buccaneer bombers, C130B Hercules and C160Z
Transall transporters, Piaggio P166 Albatross coastal patrol aircraft, as well as additional
DC-4 Skymasters and DC-3 Dakotas. In addition SAAF acquired Alouette
II and III, Puma, Super Frelon and Westland Wasp helicopters. 16
Due to the international condemnation of apartheid, South Africa suffered from
growing economic sanctions and a variety of armaments boycotts which culminated
13 L. Steyn, South African Air Force, pp. 1-2.
14 H. Heitman, South African Armed Forces, p. 58.
15 L. Steyn, South African Air Force, p. 2.
16 P. Moorcraft, Africa’s Super Power, pp. 138-153.