Christoffel Venter
Encyclopedia
Major-General Christoffel 'Boetie' Venter CB
, DFC
with bar, (1892–1977) was a South African military commander. He served in the Royal Air Force
in World War I
, being credited with 16 aerial victories, and joined the South African Air Force
in 1922.
He was Director-General of the Air Force from 1940 to 1945. After World War II
, he was managing director of South African Airways
.
(DFC)
Lt. Christoffel Johannes Venter.
During recent operations this officer shot down five enemy aeroplanes, one of which he followed down to 500 feet, when it was seen to fall.
He is a bold and skilful airman.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 August 1918 (30827/9204)
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar
Lt. (T./Capt.) Christoffel Johannes Venter, D.F.C.
A brilliant patrol leader, who has since May last destroyed eleven enemy machines. In an engagement between six of our machines and nine of the enemy, five of the latter were destroyed, Captain Venter accounting for one. Later on the same day he, in company with three other officers, engaged four Fokkers. In the combat that followed all four enemy machines were destroyed, this officer shooting down one.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (30989/12961)
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
with bar, (1892–1977) was a South African military commander. He served in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, being credited with 16 aerial victories, and joined the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
in 1922.
He was Director-General of the Air Force from 1940 to 1945. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was managing director of South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(DFC)
Lt. Christoffel Johannes Venter.
During recent operations this officer shot down five enemy aeroplanes, one of which he followed down to 500 feet, when it was seen to fall.
He is a bold and skilful airman.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 August 1918 (30827/9204)
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar
Lt. (T./Capt.) Christoffel Johannes Venter, D.F.C.
A brilliant patrol leader, who has since May last destroyed eleven enemy machines. In an engagement between six of our machines and nine of the enemy, five of the latter were destroyed, Captain Venter accounting for one. Later on the same day he, in company with three other officers, engaged four Fokkers. In the combat that followed all four enemy machines were destroyed, this officer shooting down one.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (30989/12961)