No.48 Air Navigation School, South Africa
Calling Gunga Din,
No. 48 Air Navigation School (ANS), Woodbridge, East London, South Africa operated Tiger Moths and Tutors from July 1942 to May 1945. I'm not 100% sure but believe it was run entirely by the RSAAF. Who would hold the unit records today?
Norman
Last edited by namrondooh; 27th April 2012 at 14:18. Reason: adding second to last sentence
Norman, Hi,
You'll get 25 yrs in Alcatraz for your opening salutation!!! (Except not many will know what you're talking about!).
I have a contact in that area that I discovered whilst on some family/genealogy problem(s) in the area many years ago. We still exchange occasional rude (or semi-rude) emails!!
I will place the problem with her!
Breath should not, in my opinion, be held for too long! But, as ever, in this game, who knows what may fall out of the woodwork! Knock, knock!!!
Rgds
Peter Davies
Meteorology is a science; good meteorology is an art
Thank you,
Although RK wrote you got shot in the end, I always thought there was a slim chance you might still be around. My question arose in not being able to find No. 48 A.N.S. listed in the TNA on line catalogue. Your bracketed sentence accurately describes my wretched life in recent years.
Norman
Last edited by namrondooh; 27th April 2012 at 17:33.
Hi Norman
The school was actually called No 48 Air School at Woodbrooke, East London. It was an Elementary Air Navigation School.
It was a SAAF school but it's two OCs were RAF, Gp Capt P W Bale and Wg Cdr L V Bennett.
I assume the records would be held in South Africa
Malcolm
Thanks for the information Malcolm
Not really an answer to your question Norman but it may be of interest.
"No48 Airschool proved to be a large combined RAF and SAAF base, with extensive white barrack huts, parade grounds and sports fields. The CO was an RAF Group Captain with an SAAF Major as his second in command. The course was to be non flying and of 14 weeks duration, a six day working week, two evenings of compulsory lectures and two more voluntary study evenings. The subjects previously studied at ITW would be enlarged upon, but the emphasis would be on navigational procedures and the air plot."
"One Wing High"
Halifax Bomber, the Navigator's Story
Harry Lomas
His course was posted to No42 Airschool Port Elizabeth for the final flying stage of their training. With 20 Ansons equipped as flying classrooms they put into practice in the air the exercises they had learned on the ground at No48 Airschool.
Regards
Pete
Thank you Pete102 for the very useful information
Yellow Wings
Has anyone got a copy of a book titled 'Yellow Wings' by Capt. David Becker - the story of the WWII Joint Air Training Scheme (JATS) in South Africa - and could do a look up for me please?
Norman
Hi Norman
I have some pages of it , what are you looking for?
Malcolm
Hello Malcolm,
Anything on No 48 Air School, Woodbrooke, East London, Cape Province and No. 42 Air School at location unknown. Thank you.
Norman
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