5 Squadron SAAF
Encyclopedia
5 Squadron SAAF was a South African Air Force Fighter / Fighter-Bomber squadron during World War II. It was disbanded at the end of the war and was re-commissioned in 1950. It remained active intil 2 October 1992 when it was disbanded when its Cheetah E aircraft were decommissioned.
The squadron was initially tasked to provide shipping patrols and later deployed as a fighter squadron over the Western Desert battlefield area. At the end of 1942 the squadron received Kittyhawk IIIs and later Kittyhawk IVs and began to specialize in the ground-attack role, though still being retained as an ordinary fighter squadron when required. After the cessation of hostilities in Africa, the squadron moved to Malta to support the invasion of Sicily, after which it moved to Sicily and then to Italy. By the time the Squadron was deployed to Italy, it was used only in the ground attack role.
While deployed to Italy, the Squadron flew close air support and fighter-bomber missions, some over Yugoslavia. The Squadron took part in the battles on the Sangro River, Monte Cassino and the Gustav and Gothic Lines. The Kittyhawks were replaced with Mustang Ill's (and later Mustang IV's) and retained these aircraft until the end of the war in Italy when it was disbanded.
5 Squadron was re-formed in Durban in December 1950 as an Active Citizen Force unit flying Harvards. They were re-equipped with Impala Mk I's in July 1973 and Impala Mk II's early in 1981. The Squadron then moved to AFB Louis Trichardt to be equipped with Cheetah E's. It was finally disbanded on 2 October 1992 when its Cheetah aircraft were decommissioned.
History
Initially, the Squadron was designated as a fighter-bomber squadron and was formed in Cape Town in April 1939. It was only active for eight months and was disbanded December 1939. It was re-formed on 7 May 1941 as a fighter squadron operating from Zwartkop Air Station equipped with Mohawk Vs. It deployed to Egypt in December 1941 re-equipped with Tomahawk IIB's.The squadron was initially tasked to provide shipping patrols and later deployed as a fighter squadron over the Western Desert battlefield area. At the end of 1942 the squadron received Kittyhawk IIIs and later Kittyhawk IVs and began to specialize in the ground-attack role, though still being retained as an ordinary fighter squadron when required. After the cessation of hostilities in Africa, the squadron moved to Malta to support the invasion of Sicily, after which it moved to Sicily and then to Italy. By the time the Squadron was deployed to Italy, it was used only in the ground attack role.
While deployed to Italy, the Squadron flew close air support and fighter-bomber missions, some over Yugoslavia. The Squadron took part in the battles on the Sangro River, Monte Cassino and the Gustav and Gothic Lines. The Kittyhawks were replaced with Mustang Ill's (and later Mustang IV's) and retained these aircraft until the end of the war in Italy when it was disbanded.
5 Squadron was re-formed in Durban in December 1950 as an Active Citizen Force unit flying Harvards. They were re-equipped with Impala Mk I's in July 1973 and Impala Mk II's early in 1981. The Squadron then moved to AFB Louis Trichardt to be equipped with Cheetah E's. It was finally disbanded on 2 October 1992 when its Cheetah aircraft were decommissioned.