top of page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Placed in alphabetical order by surname

Wayne Allen-White

Son of fighter pilot Angus Allen-White, Thanks to Wayne for sending me his dad's war photographs and documents.

Mrs. Barnett

Thanks to Mrs. Barnett, wife of the late WW2 fighter pilot Harold Barnett, who sent the war photographs and log book of Harold to me for scanning.

David Berchowitz

Son of Hartebees air gunner "Lukie" Berchowitz. Thanks to David for sending scans to me of his dad's war photographs and his dad's air gunner's log book.

Brent Best

Thanks to Brent who made the fantastic colour aircraft profiles used in the tribute pages.

Harry Booyens

Son in law of fighter pilot Bassie Basson. Thanks to Harry for sending scans to me of  Bassie's war photographs and  log book.

Stefaan Bouwer

Thanks to Stefaan who specially went to the house of Bryan Jones and made  scans of his photos for this site. Also thanks to him for sending  scans of other photograph collections and log books.

 

Brendan Boyle

Son of 1 sqn fighter pilot Piggy Boyle. Thanks to Brendan for allowing me to scan his dad's  war photographs. Thanks also for his kindness during my visits

Hamish Brebner

Son of 1 sqn fighter pilot Don Brebner. Thanks to Hamish for allowing me to scan his dad's  war photographs and Log Book Thanks also for his kindness during my visits

Chris Brown

Son of 1 sqn fighter pilot Hinton Brown. Thanks to Chris for sending me scans of his dad's log book and hundreds of war photographs. Thanks also for his kindness during my visits

Geoff Carter

Thanks to Geoff who gave me the log book scans of 1 sqn fighter pilot Andrew Tyrrell who was killed in 1943.

 

Tonči Čizmić

Thanks to Tonči for sending photographs and information of  wreckage from the crashed SAAF Beaufighter at the Zadvarje power station in Croatia (Yugoslavia). This aircraft was flown by Lt. Russell and navigator Lt.  Stanbury. Thanks also for his efforts for sponsoring a commemorative plaque for the two aviators.

Pete Clark

Pete is the son of SAAF  fighter pilot Raymond Clark who was seconded to RAF 1435 squadron. Thanks to Pete (and also Kym Balcomb) who sent me scans of Raymond Clark's log book and war photographs.

Paul Connell

Paul is the son of 1 sqn fighter pilot  Ray Connell. Thanks to Paul for sending me a complete set of photographs.

Perry Davies

Thanks to Perry for doing all the effort in scanning the log book and photographs of his father- in- law of 16 squadron pilot Ernie Weddell and sending it to me!

Hans Deibl

Hans is our WW2 Stuka pilot who was shot down by Cecil Golding and visited Cecil in 2012 for a 70 year reunion of the fateful day of 3/7/1942.

Thanks to Hans for a wonderful interview and  allowed me access to  his log book and photographs. Thanks also for the well written memoirs.

Thanks to Hans' daughter Cordelie who did most of the communication for his visit to South Africa.

 

Dave Dent

Dave was a 12 sqn bomber pilot. Thanks to Dave for his hospitality and kindness when I visited him in Kimberley. Thanks to him for the great video interview and the copies of all the photographs and log book.

 

Mannix de Wet

Mannix is the nephew of AQ de Wet, a 5 squadron WW2 Spitfire pilot. Thanks to Mannix for bringing  along his uncle's flying log book to Somerset West to be copied. 

 

John Dobey

John is the nephew of  2 sqn fighter pilot Hoefie Hauptfleish. Thanks to John for allowing me to copy Hoefie's log book. Thanks to his kindness with my visits.

Dave Ducasse

Dave is the son of WWII 2 sqn pilot Des Ducasse. Thanks to Dave for sending to me his father's log book and war photographs.

Peter During

Peter was a 7 sqn Spitfire pilot. Thanks to Peter for the great video interview and for allowing me to make copies of all his war photographs and documents. Thanks also for his kindness during my visits to his house.

Dr, John Eloff.

John is the son of WW2 1 sqn pilot Johnny Eloff. Thanks to John for making scans of his dad's war photographs and sending it to me

Robin Farrall

Son of WW2 2 sqn fighter pilot Angus Farrall. Thanks to Robin for sending me photographs and scans of all Angus' log books and photographs.

Pierre Faure

Son of fighter pilot ace Hannes Faure. Thanks to Pierre who allowed me access to his dad's fantastic photograph album and log books  for scanning. Thanks also for his kindness during my visits to him.

Thanks also to Hannes' daughter Carol who send some photographs of Hannes.

Bob and Bill Fenner

Son of 7 sqdn and SA 7 wing armourer Capt R A Fenner. Thanks to Bill for making contact with me and to Bob for sending his dad's huge set of precious war photographs to me for scanning.

Stewart Bomb Finney

For hours of interviews, memorabilia and kindness during my visits. Bomb is such a distinguished fighter pilot but incredibly humble and always cracking a joke. Thanks to Bomb for the bookie "What did you do during the war, daddy?" and allowed me to make copies.

Thanks also to Jeannie and Hilary de Kok for kindness during the visits. 

Thanks to Johan van den Berg and Ray Huttingh who helped me to get on Bomb's spoor.

Harry "Butch"  Freeman

Harry was a 1 sqn Spitfire pilot. Thanks to Harry for the great video interview and for allowing me to make copies of all his war photographs and documents. Thanks also for his kindness during my visits to his house. 

Thanks to his wife Margaret for her kindness during the video interview visit.

Also thanks to Harry's son Lawrie for his number of supportive calls from USA.

Thanks to Harry's daughter  Beverly  for support and sending me photographs of Harry's 90th.

Julie Geater

Thanks to Julie for allowing me to copy her gradfather's ( Maj. Arthur Geater, Beaufighter pilot 16 sqn) photographs and log book. Thanks for the kindness during my  in Noordhoek.

Cecil Golding

Thanks to Cecil for the great video interviews and for allowing me to make copies of all his war photographs and documents. Cecil is a pilot who went through the thick of things in North Africa and so closely lost his life when he was shot down and made a safe force landing only with trim controls! Thanks also for his kindness during my visits to his house.

Also thanks to his wife Pam who is also very interested and supportive to the video interviews and always kind during the visits.  Thanks for the great lunch invites.

Thanks to Cecil's son Peter and daughter Jillie who were especially very helpful with the visit of Cecil's former enemy and shot down victim, Hans Deibl.

Jill Gordon-Thomson

​

Jill is the daughter of RAF air mechanic Arthur Gleadall who was seconded to SAAF 24 squadron in 1942-1943. Thanks to Jill who made scans of her dad's photographs and sent it to me.

Albie Götze

Albie was a Typhoon pilot in WW2. Thanks to Albie for the great video interview and for allowing me to make copies of all his war photographs and log books. Thanks also for his kindness during my visit to his house in Hilcrest, Natal.

Dick Hague

Dick was an air gunner on Boston bombers during WW2. Thanks to Dick for the great video interview and for allowing me to make copies of all his war memorabilia. Thanks also for his kindness during my visit to his house in Johannesburg.

Dave Hastie

Dave was a 1 sqn Spitfire pilot. Thanks to Dave for the great video interview and for allowing me to make copies of all his war photographs, log book and diary. Thanks also for his kindness during my visits to his house in Pretoria.

Gary Harrison

Son of 2 sqn fighter pilot Zingi Harrison. Thanks to Gary who allowed me to scan his dad's log book and photographs.

Peter Heathcote

Peter is the son of  16 squadron Beaufighter pilot Rusty Russell, killed in 1944. Thanks to Peter for sending me scans of his father's war photographs and log book pages.

John Hewitson

John is our last SAAF ace still around! Thanks to John for his kindness during my visits and allowing me to copy his log book and memoirs. Most of all thanks to him for allowing me to make digitized copies of his  8mm war films.

Thanks also to his wife Marjorie for her kindness during the visits.

Brett Hendey

Thanks to Brett who sent me memorabilia scans of fighter pilot Noel Sandilands.

Also thanks to Ulrich Duebi who gave permission for this material to be published on the Heritage site.

Steve Hillary

Steve is the son of WW2 fighter pilot George Hillary. Thanks to Steve for scanning his father's war memorabilia including a precious photo album and sending it to me via Wayne Allen-White.

Kevin Hojem

Kevin is the son of fighter pilot Rod Hojem. Thanks to Kevin for sending me log books and photographs of his uncle fighter pilot Dicky Hojem and the log book/photographs of his dad. 

 

Warwick Hojem

Thanks to Warwick for sending me photographs of his uncle fighter pilot Dicky Hojem and the photographs of fighter pilot Rod Hojem. 

 

Lourie Jacobs

Thanks to Lourie for sending me photographs of his grandfather 16sqdn air mechanic Pieta Jacobs

 

Sue James

Thanks to Sue for sending me photographs of her father 40 sqdn pilot Barry Acutt

 

Fritz Johl

Fritz was a 2 sqn Spitfire pilot. Thanks to Fritz for the great video interviews and for allowing me to make copies of all his war log books, photographs and documents. Thanks also for him and Birthe's kindness during my visits to their house. Fritz was a pupil of the very first pupil course at Roberts Heights! Thanks also for the lunch invites. 

Gavin Johnson

Son of 5 squadron fighter pilot Eric Johnson: Thanks to Gavin for sending me scans of his dad's photographs and also a printed copy of Eric's war memoirs. Sadly Eric passed away just after the tribute page was constructed.

Roy Johnson

Son of 3 squadron fighter pilot Noel Johnson: Thanks to Roy for making contact with me and for sending scans of his dad's war photographs.

Bryan Jones

The interview with Bryan was very special as he was in the very first SAAF Liberator to be shot down over Warsaw. Thanks to Bryan and Olive for being so kind with me during the recording session at their house in Johannesburg. Thanks also to the invitations to the Warsaw flights commemorations.

Thanks to Bryan's son Darryl who helped with all the communication and sending me log book and photographs scans.

Derek Kershaw

Son of fighter pilot 7 sqn fighter pilot Bob Kershaw. Thanks to Derek for allowing me to copy his dad's excellent photo album and log books. Thanks also for his kindness during my visit to his home in Knysna.

Robin Kirby

Son of 7 sqn fighter pilot Harold Kirby. Thanks to Robin who made scans of his dad's war photos and send it to me.  Thanks to Robin for organising scans of Harold's log book.

Paul Kruger

Paul was a Beaufighter pilot in WW2. Many thanks to Paul for the super video interview and his kindness during my visit to his home. Thanks to his lovely wife and daugther Lyn who helped with arrangements. Also thanks to Paul's daughter Joni who sent me 19 Squadron photographs.

 

John Labistour

Son of Capt Labistour who was the respected armourer of  SAAF 7 Wing. Thanks to John for allowing me to scan his late dad's precious photo collection. 

 

Yuri Maree

Thanks to Yuri who supported this project in so many ways. Thanks to him for all the photograph copies, log books and support with detail information. Also for getting the scans of fighter pilots Moon Collingwood and Jerks MaClean.

John Martin

John was a 4 sqn Spitfire pilot in WW2. Thanks to John for the smart interview and for being so kind during my visit to his house in Johannesburg. Also thanks for the copies of his photographs and log book.

Vic Martin

Vic was a 2 sqn fighter pilot in WW2. Thanks to Vic for the interview and thanks for his daughter Penny who organised the event. Thanks to Penny for making her house available for the interview.

Steven McLean

Thanks Steven for sending me photographs.

Daniel McElrea

Step son of fighter pilot Jack Owen Brown. Thanks to Dan for sending me scans of his step father's log book.

Heinz Migeod

Thanks to the late Heinz who passed away 2 months after the last recording was made. RIP and Blue Skies Forever Heinz!

Thanks also to Mrs. Migeod who always served tea and biscuits while we did the hours of recordings. Thanks for her patience and kindness.

Bill Moir

Bill is the son of George Moir who was an admin officer at 40 squadron. Thanks to Bill for sending me his late dad's fantastic photograph album for scanning.

 

Chris Metelerkamp

Chris is the son of distinguished 1 sqn fighter pilot Peter Metelerkamp. Thanks to Chris for allowing me access to all Peter's photograph albums, log books and scrap book. Also his late uncle  Santie Metelerkamp's memorabilia for me to scan.

Mark Naude

Thanks to Mark for the fantastic SAAF WW2 uniform photographs featured on this site.

Charles Nel

Charles is the nephew of WW2 Liberator pilot Lt. CP Nel who perished during the 31 sqn. disaster of 12/10/1944. Thanks to Charles and Helen for their kindness during my vist to them in George and for making scans of CP Nei's log book, diary and photographs.

Ian Noble-Jack

Nephew of 5 sqn fighter pilot Owen McCarthy. Thanks to Ian for making copies for me of Owen's log book.

Lisa Nyman

Thanks to Lisa for scanning the memorabilia collection of top fighter pilot ace Ken Driver. Also thanks to Lisa  for sending it to me.

Orpen family

Thanks to Jane Orpen, Sue Mc Connell and Sally who all contributed for me to obtain WW2 40 sqn recce pilot Jack Orpen's log book and war diary.

Seymour Paterson

Son of fighter pilot Chad Paterson.   Thanks to Seymour for bringing along his dad's log books and war photographs to be copied.

Tony Penver

Son of fighter pilot Arthur Penver.   Thanks to Tony for sending me scans of his dad's war memorabilia.

Mark Penberthy

Son of 1 sqn fighter pilot Vivian Penberthy. Thanks to Mark for sending me scans of his dad's log book and pics and also the most interesting collection of war photos from 1 squadron pilot Tom Meek.

Neil Pugh

Thanks to Neil for driving all the way from Bromsgrove to Worthing to video interview Steve Stevens. Thanks also to all the support and file transfers.

 

SAAF Museum Swartkops

Thanks to Alan Taylor for helping me with photograph albums and other archive documents.

Thanks to Graham du Toit for sending me a photograph and always helping with requests.

SAAF Museum Ysterplaat 

Thanks to Chris Teale and Elize Grobbelaar for allowing  and helping me with the copy of log books and photograph collections. Thanks for their kindness and support. The Ysterplaat museum is always in tip top condition.

Michael Schoeman

Michael is a  distinguished author who has written the most complete set of books on the WW2 SAAF fighter squadrons/pilots in 6 volumes. Thanks to Michael for allowing access  to his collection of hundreds of photographs for scanning. Thanks also for assistance via your endless knowledge on this topic

 

Cathy Schröder

Daughter of fighter pilot 5 sqn Owen McCarthy. Thanks to her for allowing access to Owen's photograph album to be scanned.

Bev Schultz

Grand daughter of 1 squadron fighter pilot Gerald Kingsley Smith. Thanks to Bev for sending me scans of Lt. Smith's military documentation.

Lawrie Shuttleworth

Lawrie was a WW2 bomber pilot. Lawrie is the oldest of the veterans I have interviewed but one of the fittest! (97). Thanks to Lawrie for the interview and his kindness during my visit to him in Kimberley. Thanks also to him for allowing me to make copies of his log books and photographs. 

Ella Siebert (nee Turnbull)

Sister of WW2 5 sqn fighter pilot Billy Turnbull, KIA 1942. Thanks to Ella who specially did a lot of effort to prepare all the memorabilia of her late brother and sent it to me for scanning.

Colin Sinclair

Colin was a 1 sqn fighter pilot in WW2. Thanks to Colin and his wonderful wife Natalie for the great interview at their house in Scottburg. Thanks also to him for allowing me to make copies of his log book and photographs. Thanks to Chris Brown who organised the visit.

Jane Spence

Jane is the daughter of 1 sqn fighter pilot Maj. Johnny Seccombe DFC. Thanks to Jane for allowing access to her dad's most impressive photograph albums for scanning. Thanks to Pierre Faure who organised all of this.

Kevin Smith

Kevin is the grand son of Cpl. Ralph Harding who was a ground crew member of 40 squadron. Thanks to Kevin for allowing me to present his grand father's photographs on this site.

 

Jack Spencer

Jack was a 1 sqn Spitfire pilot in WW2. Thanks to Jack  for the great interview we had in Durban. Thanks also to him for allowing me to make copies of his log book and photographs. Thanks to Chris Brown who organised the visit.

Steve Stevens

Thanks to Steve for the fabulous video interview and for the free download of his book "Beaufighter over the Balkans. Many thanks to his daughter Pamela for the communication and arrangements.

 

John Sturgeon

Son of 40 squadron pilot Ian Sturgeon. Thanks to John for sending me the war photographs of his late dad.

Horse Sweeney

Horse was a 2 sqn fighter pilot in WW2. Thanks to Horse for the video interview and his kindness during my visit. Thanks also for allowing me to scan his log book and photographs.

 

Denis Taylor

Denis was a 4 sqn fighter pilot in WW2, Thanks to Denis and his  wife Marjorie for the  interview at their house in Cape Town. Thanks also to him for allowing me to make copies of his log book and photographs. 

 

Frank Tilley

Frank is the son of distinguished torpedo pilot Lt.Col. Don Tilley. Thanks to Frank to bring along his dad's log book and photographs/scrap book to me to be copied.

Eric and Nikki Turck

Thanks for letting me copy Col. Jack Mossop's  photographs and log book.(Nikki's grandfather). Thanks for the kindness during my visit to their home in Muizenberg.

 

Beryl van Eyssen

Wife of late 31 sqn Liberator pilot Maj. Jack van Eyssen.

Thanks to Beryl for allowing me to copy all Jack's war memorabilia and for her kindness during my visit to her house in Johannesburg. Also thanks to Jack's daughter, Marion Read, who helped with all the arrangements.

 

Cheryl Veitch and Bronwen Kimsey

Daughters of fighter pilot Geoff Krummeck. Thanks for sending me scans of their father's log book and photograph album.

 

Wannie Wannenburg

Wannie was a 34 sqn Liberator air gunner. Wannie passed away 3 months after we had a most amazing interview. 

RIP Wannie and Blue Skies Forever!

Thanks to Wannie for the interview and for giving a complete copy set of his memorabilia including log book and photographs. Thanks to Wannie for especially  leaving  behind to me three of the most precious WW2 books.

Thanks also to his daughter  Cheryl for her assistance.

Thanks to Elize Grobbelaar who gave me Wannie's phone number

Michael Welchman

Michael was a 40 sqn recce pilot in WW2. Thanks to Michael and his wonderful wife Betty for the most interesting interview at their house in Hermanus, also allowing me to copy his log book and stunning war photograph album.

 

Dean Wingrim

Thanks to Dean for giving me contact numbers of some of the veterans. Also congratulations to Dean for compiling one of the most important books on SAAF history.

 

Simon Younger

Son of 19 squadron Beaufighter navigator F/O Bill Younger, who flew with Lt. Paul Kruger. Thanks to Simon for sending me scans of his dad's war time photographs.

 

SAAF WW2 HERITAGE SITE
bottom of page