5 Squadron SAAF

History

The squadron was initially designated as a fighter-bomber unit and formed in Cape Town in April 1939. It was only active for eight months and was disbanded in December that year. 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 IIBs.

The squadron was initially tasked with providing anti-shipping patrols and subsequently deployed as a fighter squadron over the Western Desert battlefield area. At the end of 1942 it received Kittyhawk IIIs and later Kittyhawk IVs and began to specialize in the ground-attack role, although still being retained as an ordinary fighter squadron as required. After the cessation of hostilities in Africa, the squadron moved to Malta to support the invasion of Sicily, after which it moved to that island and then on to mainland 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 by Mustang IIIs (and later Mustang IVs) and these aircraft were retained until the end of the war in Italy when the squadron was disbanded.

5 Squadron was re-formed in Durban in December 1950 as an 'Active Citizen Force' unit flying Harvards. It was re-equipped with Impala Mk Is in July 1973 and Impala Mk IIs in early 1981. The squadron then moved to AFB Louis Trichardt to be equipped with Cheetah Es. It was finally disbanded on 2 October 1992 when its Cheetah aircraft were decommissioned.

Aircraft

Note: Aircraft type photographs may not necessarily represent aircraft of the same mark or actual aircraft belonging to the squadron. |File:RAF Mohawk IV India2 1943.jpg|Curtiss Mohawk 1941 |File:AWM 010926 tomahawk.jpg|Curtiss Tomahawk 1941–1942 |File:Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South East Europe, 1942-1945. CNA2491.jpg|Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark III Italy, 1942–1945 |File:Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. CNA3488.jpg|Mustangs of 5 Squadron SAAF Italy, 1942–1945 |File:Harvard 7698 b.jpg|North American T-6 Harvard 1950–1973 |File:SAAF Impala MKI 589 (6902821393).jpg|Atlas Impala Mk. I 1973– |File:SAAF Impala MkII 1075 (6902824683).jpg|Atlas Impala Mk.II 1981– |File:Atlas Cheetah 3 (DanieVDM) crop.jpg|Atlas Cheetah E −1992

References

Bibliography

Notes

;Footnotes

;Citations

References

1. Dyason, Anton. "IMG (IPMS SA Media Group)". 5 Squadron.
2. Aviation Pictures ZA. (September 2016). ["SAAF – A pictorial history"](http://www.aviationpics.co.za/morenews.asp?filename=6112010102858.txt }}{{dead link).
3. Martin, H.J.. (1978). "Eagles Victorious: South African Forces World War II". Purnell.