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{{short description|South African Air Force squadron}}
{{Infobox military unit|
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 12 Squadron
|unit_name= 12 Squadron
|image=[[File:Canberra B12 - 453.jpg|300px|A 12 Squadron Canberra in flight]]
| image=Canberra no. 458.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=A 12 Squadron Canberra in flight
|caption=A 12 Squadron Canberra T.4 in February 1982
|dates=1939–1945?<br>1946–?<br>1963–1990
|dates=1939–1945?<br />1946–?<br />1963–1990
|country= {{flagicon| South Africa|1928}}
|country= {{flagicon| South Africa|1928}}
|allegiance=
|allegiance=
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|mascot=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=!---<ref name=AvPics>{{cite web|last=Aviation Pictures ZA|title=SAAF - A pictorial history|url=http://www.aviationpics.co.za/morenews.asp?filename=6112010102858.txt}}</ref> --->
|equipment_label=!---<ref name=AvPics>{{cite web|author=Aviation Pictures ZA|title=SAAF – A pictorial history|url=http://www.aviationpics.co.za/morenews.asp?filename=6112010102858.txt}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> --->
|battles=[[World War II]]<br>[[South African Border War]]
|battles=[[World War II]]<br />[[South African Border War]]
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|decorations=
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|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol='''VL''' 1942<ref>{{cite book|last=Flintham|first=Vic|title=Combat Codes|year=2003|publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation|location=Barnesly|ISBN=978-1-84415-691-7|pages=165}}</ref>
|identification_symbol='''VL''' 1942<ref>{{cite book|last=Flintham|first=Vic|title=Combat Codes|year=2003|publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation|location=Barnesly|isbn=978-1-84415-691-7|page=165}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_label=Squadron Identification Code
|identification_symbol_label=Squadron Identification Code
|identification_symbol_2=[[File:12 Squadron SAAF insignia.png|80px]]
|identification_symbol_2=[[File:12 Squadron SAAF insignia.png|80px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=12 Squadron Insignia
|identification_symbol_2_label=12 Squadron Insignia
}}
}}
⚫
'''12 Squadron''' was a [[South African Air Force]] squadron that served in the Second World War in East Africa and the Western Desert as a [[medium bomber]] squadron. After the war, the squadron was used in various roles, including that of a helicopter squadron until 1963, when it was equipped with [[English Electric Canberra]] light bombers, remaining a light bomber and reconnaissance squadron until disbanded in 1990.

⚫
'''12 Squadron''' was a [[South African Air Force]] squadron that served in World War II in East Africa and the Western Desert as a medium bomber squadron. After the war, the squadron was used in various roles, including that of a helicopter squadron until 1963 when it was equipped with Canberra light bombers - remaining a light bomber and reconnaissance squadron until disbanded in 1990.


==History==
==History==
⚫
12 Squadron was formed in December 1939.<ref name="unofficial_SAAF">{{cite web|last=Wingrin|first=Dean|title=12 Squadron|url=http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/squadrons/28/12-squadron|work=The Unofficial Website on the South African Air Force|publisher=Dean Wingrin|access-date=8 September 2011}}</ref> On 16 June 1940 it flew the first SAAF bombing raid against Italian forces in [[Ethiopia|Abysinna]] when it attacked the town of [[Moyale]] using [[Junkers Ju 86]] bombers.<ref>Potgieter (1970), p. 264</ref><ref name=Macdonald>{{cite book|last=Macdonald|first=J.F.|title=Lion with tusk guardant|year=1945|publisher=The Rhodesian Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.|location=Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia|page=23|chapter=Chapter II – The Story of 237 Squadron|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/LionWithTuskGuardant/LionGuardant#page/n22/mode/1up}}</ref> 12 Squadron later saw combat during the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]] operating [[Douglas A-20 Havoc|Douglas Boston]] light bombers.<ref>Latimer (2002), p. 292</ref>
In May 1941 the squadron converted to the [[Martin Maryland]], and moved to Egypt. From then until the end of 1941 the squadron formed part of No.3 (S.A.A.F.) Wing (together with [[24 Squadron SAAF]] and [[No. 113 Squadron RAF]])<ref>Shores (2012), p. 231</ref><ref name=Shores>{{cite book|last=Shores|first=Christopher|title=A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945 Vol I: North Africa June 1940-January 1943|year=2012|publisher=Grub Street.|location=London}}</ref> and used its Marylands to attack Axis troop concentrations and bases.


[[File: 12_Sqn_SAAF_Boston_in_Western_Desert.png|thumb|left|A 12 Squadron Boston medium bomber being armed in the Western Desert: 1942]]In January 1942 the squadron received the Douglas Boston, using these aircraft on the same roles from 15 March 1942 until the final [[Tunisian campaign|German surrender in Tunisia]]. The squadron then moved to Malta, from where it supported the [[Allied invasion of Sicily|fighting in Sicily]] and on the Italian mainland, before moving to Italy in October 1943. Assigned to No. 3 Wing with 21 and 24 squadrons.
⚫
12 Squadron was formed in December 1939.<ref name="unofficial_SAAF">{{cite web|last=Wingrin|first=Dean|title=12 Squadron|url=http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/squadrons/28/12-squadron|work=The Unofficial Website on the South African Air Force|publisher=Dean Wingrin|accessdate=8 September 2011}}</ref> On 16 June 1940 it flew the first SAAF bombing raid against Italian forces in [[Ethiopia|Abysinna]] when it attacked the town of [[Moyale]] using [[Junkers Ju 86]] bombers.<ref>Potgieter (1970), p. 264</ref><ref name=Macdonald>{{cite book|last=Macdonald|first=J.F.|title=Lion with tusk guardant|year=1945|publisher=The Rhodesian Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd|location=Salisbury, South Rhodesia|pages=p. 23|chapter=Chapter II - The Story of 237 Squadron|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/LionWithTuskGuardant/LionGuardant#page/n22/mode/1up}}</ref> 12 Squadron later saw combat during the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]] operating [[Douglas A-20 Havoc|Boston]] light bombers.<ref>Latimer (2002), p. 292</ref> Following the end of the war in Europe the squadron flew South African personnel home until it was disbanded.<ref name=Potgieter_Steenkamp_68 />
The Bostons were retained until January 1944, when they were replaced with the new [[Martin B-26 Marauder|Martin Marauder]]. Both aircraft were used in a similar role, to attack enemy communications behind the front line, although the Marauder saw more service at day, and against strategic targets.


After the war the squadron flew its aircraft back to Egypt, where in November 1945 it disbanded.
⚫
12 Squadron was re-formed in October 1946 equipped with [[Avro Anson]] aircraft for anti-[[Tsetse fly]] spraying duties. It operated in this role in [[Natal Province|Zululand]] and [[Mtubatuba]]. The squadron was later re-equipped with [[Sikorsky S-51]] helicopters, but was eventually made a flight of [[28 Squadron SAAF|28 Squadron]].<ref name=Potgieter_Steenkamp_68 />


Following the end of the war in Europe the squadron flew South African personnel home until it was disbanded.<ref name=Potgieter_Steenkamp_68 />
⚫
The squadron was re-formed in late 1963 to operate [[English Electric Canberra]] bombers.<ref name="Potgieter_Steenkamp_68">Potgieter and Steenkamp (1981), p. 68</ref> It was the only SAAF squadron equipped with Canberras, and they were used as both tactical bombers and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name=Steyn>{{cite web|last=Steyn|first=Leon|title=SAAF Museum News: What happened to the Canberra?|url=http://www.af.mil.za/news/2008/065.htm|work=SAAF News|publisher=South African Air Force|accessdate=8 September 2011}}</ref> The squadron saw combat over [[Angola]] during the [[South African Border War]],<ref>Lord (2008), pp. 70, 101, 139, 172</ref> and was still active with these aircraft as of 1981.<ref name=Potgieter_Steenkamp_68 /> 12 Squadron was disbanded in 1990.<ref name=unofficial_SAAF /> Two ex-12 Squadron Canberras have been preserved by the SAAF.<ref name=Steyn />

⚫
12 Squadron was re-formed in October 1946 equipped with [[Avro Anson]] aircraft for anti-[[Tsetse fly]] spraying duties. It operated in this role in [[Natal Province|Zululand]] and [[Mtubatuba]].<ref name=Potgieter_Steenkamp_68 />

The squadron was later re-equipped with [[Sikorsky H-5|Sikorsky S-51]] helicopters that were at times also utilised in anti-[[Tsetse fly]] spraying duties, it but was eventually made a flight of [[28 Squadron SAAF|28 Squadron]].<ref name=Potgieter_Steenkamp_68 />

⚫
The squadron was re-formed in late 1963 to operate [[English Electric Canberra]] bombers.<ref name="Potgieter_Steenkamp_68">Potgieter and Steenkamp (1981), p. 68</ref> It was the only SAAF squadron equipped with Canberras, and they were used as both tactical bombers and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name=Steyn>{{cite web|last=Steyn|first=Leon|title=SAAF Museum News: What happened to the Canberra?|url=http://www.af.mil.za/news/2008/065.htm|work=SAAF News|publisher=South African Air Force|access-date=8 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107154603/http://www.af.mil.za/news/2008/065.htm|archive-date=7 January 2017}}</ref> The squadron saw combat over [[Angola]] during the [[South African Border War]],<ref>Lord (2008), pp. 70, 101, 139, 172</ref> and remained active with these aircraft in 1981.<ref name=Potgieter_Steenkamp_68 /> 12 Squadron was disbanded in 1990.<ref name=unofficial_SAAF />

Two ex-12 Squadron Canberras have been preserved by the SAAF.<ref name=Steyn />

==Aircraft==
{{Gallery
| title = Aircraft flown by 12 Squadron<br />(not necessarily the exact aircraft type or actual aircraft belonging to the squadron.)
| width = 160
| height = 120
|File:Junkers Ju 86, B 3.jpg|Junkers Ju.86<br />1940
|File:Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943 CM2907.jpg|Boston Mk.III of 12 Sqn<br />-1943
|File:Avro Anson 652A MkI crop img3.jpg|Avro Anson<br />1946–
|File:Sikorsky S-51 no. 1A c. 1954.jpg|Sikorsky S-51<br />1954–
|File:Canberra no. 458 a.jpg|Canberra B(1)12 & T.4<br />1963–1990
|File:Sidney Bernard 12 Bomber Suqadron Pin.png|Lapel pin of the 12 Bomber Squadron of the South African Air Force during WW2
}}


==References==
==References==
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;Bibliography
;Bibliography


*{{cite book|last=Latimer|first=Jon|title=Alamein|year=2002|publisher=Harvard University Press|location=Cambridge, Mass.|isbn=0-674-01016-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Latimer|first=Jon|title=Alamein|year=2002|publisher=Harvard University Press|location=Cambridge, Massachusetts|isbn=0-674-01016-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/alamein0000lati}}
*{{cite book|last=Lord|first=Dick|title=Vlamgat : The Story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force|year=2008|publisher=30° South Publishers|location=Johannesburg, South Africa|isbn=1-920143-36-X|url=http://books.google.com.au/books?id=d2fKavDvJv0C&dq=%2212+Squadron%22+SAAF&source=gbs_navlinks_s}}
*{{cite book|last=Lord|first=Dick|title=Vlamgat: The Story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force|year=2008|publisher=30° South Publishers|location=Johannesburg, South Africa|isbn=978-1-920143-36-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d2fKavDvJv0C&q=%2212+Squadron%22+SAAF}}
*{{cite book|last=Potgieter|first=D,J.|title=Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Volume 1|year=1970|publisher=NASOU}}
*{{cite book|last=Potgieter|first=D.J.|title=Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa|volume=1|year=1970|publisher=NASOU}}
*{{cite book|last=Potgieter, Herman and Steenkamp, Willem|title=Aircraft of the South African Air Force|year=1981|publisher=C. Struik|location=Cape Town|isbn=0-86977-133-7|edition=2nd}}
*{{cite book|last1=Potgieter|first1=Herman|last2=Steenkamp|first2=Willem|name-list-style=amp|title=Aircraft of the South African Air Force|year=1981|publisher=C. Struik|location=Cape Town|isbn=0-86977-133-7|edition=2nd}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Commonscat-inline}}
*{{Commons category-inline}}

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{{SAAF navbox}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


[[Category:Squadrons of the South African Air Force]]
[[Category:Squadrons of the South African Air Force]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of South Africa in the Border War|SAAF12]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1990]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1990]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in British Somaliland in World War II|S]]
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{{SAAF navbox}}

Latest revision as of 18:50, 26 December 2023

12 Squadron
A 12 Squadron Canberra T.4 in February 1982
Active1939–1945?
1946–?
1963–1990
CountrySouth Africa
BranchSouth African Air Force
EngagementsWorld War II
South African Border War
Insignia
Squadron Identification CodeVL 1942[1]
12 Squadron Insignia

12 Squadron was a South African Air Force squadron that served in the Second World War in East Africa and the Western Desert as a medium bomber squadron. After the war, the squadron was used in various roles, including that of a helicopter squadron until 1963, when it was equipped with English Electric Canberra light bombers, remaining a light bomber and reconnaissance squadron until disbanded in 1990.

History

[edit]

12 Squadron was formed in December 1939.[3] On 16 June 1940 it flew the first SAAF bombing raid against Italian forces in Abysinna when it attacked the town of Moyale using Junkers Ju 86 bombers.[4][5] 12 Squadron later saw combat during the Second Battle of El Alamein operating Douglas Boston light bombers.[6] In May 1941 the squadron converted to the Martin Maryland, and moved to Egypt. From then until the end of 1941 the squadron formed part of No.3 (S.A.A.F.) Wing (together with 24 Squadron SAAF and No. 113 Squadron RAF)[7][8] and used its Marylands to attack Axis troop concentrations and bases.

A 12 Squadron Boston medium bomber being armed in the Western Desert: 1942

In January 1942 the squadron received the Douglas Boston, using these aircraft on the same roles from 15 March 1942 until the final German surrender in Tunisia. The squadron then moved to Malta, from where it supported the fighting in Sicily and on the Italian mainland, before moving to Italy in October 1943. Assigned to No. 3 Wing with 21 and 24 squadrons.

The Bostons were retained until January 1944, when they were replaced with the new Martin Marauder. Both aircraft were used in a similar role, to attack enemy communications behind the front line, although the Marauder saw more service at day, and against strategic targets.

After the war the squadron flew its aircraft back to Egypt, where in November 1945 it disbanded.

Following the end of the war in Europe the squadron flew South African personnel home until it was disbanded.[9]

12 Squadron was re-formed in October 1946 equipped with Avro Anson aircraft for anti-Tsetse fly spraying duties. It operated in this role in Zululand and Mtubatuba.[9]

The squadron was later re-equipped with Sikorsky S-51 helicopters that were at times also utilised in anti-Tsetse fly spraying duties, it but was eventually made a flight of 28 Squadron.[9]

The squadron was re-formed in late 1963 to operate English Electric Canberra bombers.[9] It was the only SAAF squadron equipped with Canberras, and they were used as both tactical bombers and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.[10] The squadron saw combat over Angola during the South African Border War,[11] and remained active with these aircraft in 1981.[9] 12 Squadron was disbanded in 1990.[3]

Two ex-12 Squadron Canberras have been preserved by the SAAF.[10]

Aircraft

[edit]
Aircraft flown by 12 Squadron
(not necessarily the exact aircraft type or actual aircraft belonging to the squadron.)
  • Junkers Ju.86 1940
    Junkers Ju.86
    1940
  • Boston Mk.III of 12 Sqn -1943
    Boston Mk.III of 12 Sqn
    -1943
  • Avro Anson 1946–
    Avro Anson
    1946–
  • Sikorsky S-51 1954–
    Sikorsky S-51
    1954–
  • Canberra B(1)12 & T.4 1963–1990
    Canberra B(1)12 & T.4
    1963–1990
  • Lapel pin of the 12 Bomber Squadron of the South African Air Force during WW2
    Lapel pin of the 12 Bomber Squadron of the South African Air Force during WW2

References

[edit]
Citations
  1. ^ Flintham, Vic (2003). Combat Codes. Barnesly: Pen & Sword Aviation. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-84415-691-7.
  2. ^ Aviation Pictures ZA. "SAAF – A pictorial history".[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b Wingrin, Dean. "12 Squadron". The Unofficial Website on the South African Air Force. Dean Wingrin. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  4. ^ Potgieter (1970), p. 264
  5. ^ Macdonald, J.F. (1945). "Chapter II – The Story of 237 Squadron". Lion with tusk guardant. Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia: The Rhodesian Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 23.
  6. ^ Latimer (2002), p. 292
  7. ^ Shores (2012), p. 231
  8. ^ Shores, Christopher (2012). A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945 Vol I: North Africa June 1940-January 1943. London: Grub Street.
  9. ^ a b c d e Potgieter and Steenkamp (1981), p. 68
  10. ^ a b Steyn, Leon. "SAAF Museum News: What happened to the Canberra?". SAAF News. South African Air Force. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  11. ^ Lord (2008), pp. 70, 101, 139, 172
Bibliography
[edit]

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