24 Squadron SAAF

24 Squadron
Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.Mk 50 no. 418 of 24 Sqn
Active	5 March 1941 – 6 November 1945 ?? – March 1991
Country
Branch	South African Air Force
Role	Bomber/Strike Squadron
Garrison/HQ	AFB Waterkloof when disbanded.
Motto	Per Noctem Per Diem Through Night, Through Day[1]
Insignia
Squadron Identification Code	OZ 1942[2]
Squadron Crest

24 Squadron SAAF is a disbanded squadron of the South African Air Force. Its last role was as an attack aircraft squadron. The squadron was first formed during World War II on 5 March 1941 by renumbering 14 Squadron SAAF in Egypt. It later carried out bombing operations in Kenya and North Africa, before taking part in the Italian campaign before disbanding in late 1945 at the conclusion of hostilities. The squadron was later re-raised and operated jet aircraft in an attack role during the Border War. It was finally disbanded in early 1991.

History

On 5 March 1941 24 Squadron SAAF was formed when No.14 Squadron SAAF and its Maryland bombers were moved from Kenya to Egypt, and renumbered as No.24 Squadron. The squadron then operated alongside No. 39 Squadron RAF as a daytime tactical bomber unit carrying out bombing sorties against targets in the Mediterranean theatre. 24 Squadron was later in the year re-equipped with Bostons.^[3]

In December 1943, the squadron was relocated to Algeria and re-equipped with the B-26 Marauders and in 1944 flew to a new base at Pescara, Italy, before later advancing to Jesi, Italy.^[4] At the end of the war the squadron used its Marauders as transport aircraft, before moving to Egypt in October 1945 and disbanding on 6 November 1945.^[4]

The Buccaneer entered SAAF service in 1965. SAAF Buccaneers saw active service during the Border War in South-West Africa, notably at Cassinga in 1978. They flew over Angola and Namibia in the 1970s and 1980s, and attacked SWAPO guerrilla camps with rockets and bombs.^[5]

The squadron was disbanded in March 1991 at AFB Waterkloof, Pretoria.

Aircraft

Aircraft flown by 24 Squadron Note: Aircraft type photographs may not necessarily represent aircraft of the same mark or actual aircraft belonging to the Squadron.
Martin Maryland Mark II 1941  Boston Mk.III of 24 Sqn 1941  Marauder Mk II 1943  PV1 Ventura 1945  HS Buccaneer S.Mk 50 1965-1991

References

Further reading

• "The South African Bush War", Warplane. No. 5 (Orbis partwork, c.1985)

External links

• Media related to 24 Squadron SAAF at Wikimedia Commons

South African Air Force Leadership Chiefs of the Air Force Sergeants Major of the Air Force Active squadrons 2 15 16 17 19 21 22 28 35 41 44 Training and development units 68 Air School 80 Air Navigation School 85 Combat Flying School 87 Helicopter Flying School Central Flying School Test Flight and Development Centre South African Air Force College Formation aerobatic teams Silver Falcons Territorial reserve squadrons 101 102 104 105 106 107 108 110 111 Disbanded air and training squadrons 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 18 20 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 40 42 43 50 60 103 109 112 114 86 Multi-Engine Flying School 88 Maritime Training School 89 Combat Flying School Disbanded air defence squadrons 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 WW2 Wings of the SAAF 2 3 5 7 21 24 25 Bases AFB Bloemspruit AFB Durban AFB Hoedspruit AFB Langebaanweg AFB Makhado AFB Overberg AFB Swartkop AFB Waterkloof AFB Ysterplaat AFS Port Elizabeth Equipment List of current and historical SAAF aircraft List of weapon systems of the South African Air Force History History of the South African Air Force List of obsolete weapon systems of the South African Air Force South African Air Force Memorial South African Air Force Museum Military history of South Africa SAAF squadron identification codes Official website: www.af.mil.za