The SAAF's association with the Mosquito started in 1942 when 60 squadron, who up until that time had been doing a sterling job with the Maryland's they were equipped with started having problems due to fierce Luftwaffe opposition with Me109F's. Field Marshall Montgomery intervened and sent a message to Churchill indicating that the forthcoming battles (El Alamein) success could not be guaranteed unless better Photo Reconnaissance equipment was forthcoming. Churchill arranged for two Mosquitoes to be transferred to the Desert and allocated to 60 Sqd SAAF. To this end two night fighter NFII were modified into PR II's and dispatched to the the desert. In due course 60 Sqd were equipped with MkVI and the PRIX versions.

An interesting anecdote with 60 squadrons Mosquito usage was with Pi Piennaar's run in with the then new (and almost unknown to the Allies) Me262 jet fighter. This is expertly told in his book, Dancing in the Sky. His successful return, although the aircraft was badly shot up and crash landed, allowed the Allies more insight into the capabilities of the Me262.

The threat paid to the unarmed Mosquitoes by the presence of the Me 262 necessitated that they be escorted by Mustangs or Lightnings. The Squadron recorded the first photographic evidence of Nazi extermination camps. Lt C.H.H. Barry and his navigator, Lt I. McIntyre based at San Severo near Foggia took the photos on 4 April 1944. However this was wrongly credited to the Americans after the War. It appears someone mistook the abbreviation "SAAF" as "USAAF". This was rectified 28 years later by the CIA

Towards the end of WWII 60 squadron was equipped with the PRXVI variant and at the end of the war returned to South Africa with them.

The harsh South African sunshine had a very detrimental effect on the wooden Mosquito and their post war career in the SAAF was short-lived.

Although technically an independent Air Force, the SAAF during WWII was very closely allied to the RAF colour standards, especially where they operated in conjunction with the RAF and other Commonwealth air forces. It is understandable that this occurred as the aircraft were serviced by central maintenance depots thus the standards were applied. It does appear though that at least the SAAF , as an independent Air Force did apply the national colours of orange centered roundals to their aircraft.

The SAAF Mosquito's in Italy also included a red and white striped tail unit as an identification aid to distinguish the Mosquito from the German Me410. The extant of these red and white stripes are a good indicator as to whether the aircraft was RAF or SAAF operated. The RAF just had the stripes on the rudder whereas the SAAF had the stripes on the entire fin surfaces. In some cases the PRXVI's had black and white "invasion" stripes painted. Some were complete being on the wings and fuselage although most aircraft appear to be the fuselage only.



Regards Duggy.