READ ME - FAIREY BATTLE 'M', No.15 Sqn, South African Air Force, Abyssinia, April 1941
Note the specific South African Orange, White and Blue roundels, echoing the colours of the Flag of the Union of South Africa, adopted in 1923 and retained until shortly after majority rule.
This aircraft, flown by Captain Britz with Air Lieutenant Hangar as gunner, was hit by Italian AA fire during an attack on a column of vehicles escaping through Dessie north towards Amba Alagi. The three South African Battles, escorted by three Hurricanes reported doing great damage to the column, but Captain Britz lost his engine as a result of ground fire. Rather than bail out, he steered his aircraft to Combolcia airfield where he crash-landed under heavy AA fire. Another South African pilot, Murray, tried to land and pick up Britz and Hangar, but was unable to. Britz and Hangar were taken prisoner, and liberated some days later when Dessie fell to the advancing South African Army.
Note the specific South African Orange, White and Blue roundels, echoing the colours of the Flag of the Union of South Africa, adopted in 1923 and retained until shortly after majority rule.
This aircraft, flown by Captain Britz with Air Lieutenant Hangar as gunner, was hit by Italian AA fire during an attack on a column of vehicles escaping through Dessie north towards Amba Alagi. The three South African Battles, escorted by three Hurricanes reported doing great damage to the column, but Captain Britz lost his engine as a result of ground fire. Rather than bail out, he steered his aircraft to Combolcia airfield where he crash-landed under heavy AA fire. Another South African pilot, Murray, tried to land and pick up Britz and Hangar, but was unable to. Britz and Hangar were taken prisoner, and liberated some days later when Dessie fell to the advancing South African Army.
