British Forces

South African Spitfire in Italy

Spitfire Mk IX of South African Air Force’s 1 Squadron reading for take-off from a Sicilian airfield, perhaps Pachino on 1943. Note on this aircraft, Squadron code AX, aircraft individual code E, serial number MH904, insignia’s color typical of South African Air Force during WW2: orange on roundel’s central disk and of fin flash instead of red used by the Royal Air Force. After the operations in North Africa and over the Sicily for covering the British forces landing during Operation Husky and after circa 40 days at Malta, the 1 Sqn SAAF, which already had fought against the Italians in East African Campaign, on 14 July 1943 moved in Sicily, Pachino Airfield. Early September 1943, the Squadron moved on Italian mainland providing cover for the Allied landings at Salerno, 3 September 1943, and, 27 January 1944, at Anzio. During the operations around Rome claimed 16 German aircrafts. The 1 Squadron SAAF spent the rest of the war in Italy operating, frtpm some bases, as a fighter unit and also as ground attack unit operating against the German lines of communication behind the front line. In June 1945 the 1 Squadron SAAF began to convert to the Mustang. But only a Mustangs had arrived before July when the squadron's personnel returned to South Africa. Victor Sierra