Flying Spirit Page 1 June 2016

FLYING SPIRIT

June 2016

NPO 083-072 PBO: 18/11/13/4374

SAAFA NHQ P.O. Box 21223 Valhalla 0137

Tel: 012 651 5921 or 012 351 2116 Fax: 086 218 4657

Email: nationalhq@icon.co.za Website: www.saafa.co.za

The Official National Newsletter of the SAAF Association

71ST SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION CONGRESS – SIMOLA, KNYSNA

By Philip Weyers

It has been said that SAAFA could quite easily hold a Congress in the desert with few amenities, for such is the prevailing camaraderie that it could make up for any shortfall in venue. It was the best of both worlds at our 71st Congress however, as it was held at the glorious Simola Golf and Country Estate in Knysna, over the period 26 to 29 May 2016. Under the guidance and direction of our friend and colleague, the inimitable Ola Grinaker, it was destined to be an extraordinary event which it certainly was. Anticipation of the event was illustrated by the 103 registrations!

The meet and greet took place on the pool deck on Thursday evening, where apart from the pleasure of meeting our friends again, we were treated to a unique view of the Knysna Heads and lagoon.

Friday’s opening commenced with our traditional Act of Homage, during which we remembered those of us who left during the past year, an event performed as ever with great solemnity and dignity. This was followed by the opening address

presented by Wg Cmdr Nigel Cookson RAF, Defence Attaché extraordinaire, who is shortly to complete his three year tour in South Africa. Wg Cmdr Cookson spoke eloquently of the relationship between his Air Force and ours and declared Congress open.

The group photograph had to be jury-rigged by Nick Havenga and Gavin Lavis due to a problem with the official photographer, but with pleasing results nonetheless.

The business sessions under President Hugh Paine ran extremely smoothly and we were for the most part well ahead of schedule. There was of course the customary banter and Ola distributing high-octane fines to those deemed to have transgressed, or not, without which we would be that much poorer!

The Pool Deck

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The Chief of the Air Force, Lt Gen ‘Zakes’ Msimang and the charming Afrika flew to George specifically to join us for Saturday’s proceedings and personally delivered the State of the Air Force address. His message was unfortunately not a very bright one, with the now customary lack of budget resulting in numerous challenges. It is evident though that Unit morale and efficiencies are very good, as many of us will

know from first-hand experience. Trevor Slade thanked CAF most eloquently for being with us and confirmed SAAFA’s unequivocal support for General Msimang and the SAAF.

Saturday lunch was a braai held at The River Club, on the bank of the Knysna River, where we were able to relax and enjoy one another’s company in serene surroundings. The River Club is even equipped with a funicular to assist those who are infirm or feeling wobbly!

A number of delegates, including our President, took the opportunity during the visit to play golf on the magnificent Simola Golf Course, surely one of the most beautiful golf courses in

the country and in wonderful condition. The course was designed by Ola Grinaker, and fine-tuned by his friend, the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

The National Banquet held on Saturday night was a splendid affair, with the Ladies looking stunning! It was truly an evening befitting a five-star audience at a five-star venue. During the course of the evening, it was announced that Hugh Paine is National President for 2016/7 and we welcomed Mike Louw as the incoming Vice President.

Two of our Patrons are unable to continue due to ill health, namely Lt Gen James Kriel and Ron Haywood. They were thanked for their dedication and services to the SAAFA and wished well.

Congress 2016 “Groupie”

Capt Matlapeng, Brig Gen Dlomo, Lt Gen Misimang and the National President, Maj Gen (ret) Paine

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We were honoured to have Patron Lt Gen Willem Hechter and Estelle join us for Congress and appreciate their interest and involvement tremendously.

The SAAFA Patrons are:

Lt Gen Mike Muller

Lt Gen Denis Earp

Lt Gen Jan van Loggerenberg

Lt Gen Willem Hechter

Lt Gen Roelf Beukes

Col Basil Hersov

Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano

Our Country Vice Presidents, Daan Badenhorst, Arrie de Klerk, Bart Hauptfleisch and Wally Vandermeulen, who are all very active SAAFA members, were confirmed for 2016/7. Our thanks to them for their continued dedicated service to SAAFA.

The highlight of the evening was as ever the Awards presented to those who have made exceptional contributions and for extraordinary dedication and service to SAAFA. 3 Presidential Certificates of Merit, 13 Presidential Merit Award Medals, 11 OSAAFA in the Bronze Class, 2 OSAAFA in the Silver Class and 2 OSAAFA in the Gold Class were awarded to most deserving recipients.

It might be of interest to note that 28 Squadron and the SAAF Museum AFB Zwartkop were both awarded Certificates of Merit for their exceptional assistance to and support of SAAFA.

The two OSAAFA Gold recipients are worthy of special mention. Dirk Ackerman was awarded an OSAAFA Gold for his many years of very active SAAFA involvement, including a tour as National President, and his exceptional support of SAAFA, often off the radar. Wg Cmdr Cookson became the first member of a foreign Air Force to be awarded an OSAAFA Gold for packing decades worth of activity and interest in SAAFA and the SAAF into his three year tour of South Africa, to the benefit of us all. Quite exceptional achievements from two exceptional Gentlemen!

River Club

The spectacular Simola Golf Course

President Hugh Paine inducting Vice President Mike Louw

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All too soon Congress 2016 came to an end, and despite invitations, nay, pleadings from Ola to stay for a few days more, we left Knysna to return home, with the knowledge that the memories of a glorious few days will remain. Most sincere thanks are due to our Outeniqua Branch, in particular Ola, for going to extraordinary ends to ensure that our visit to Simola was as memorable and successful as it surely was!

AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF SAAFA CONGRESS 2016

Stuck In The Middle

By Ansie Lavis

As on all SAAFA Congresses there is always an incident or event which will be etched I your mind for a very long time.

Congress 2016 was no exception for six people on Saturday 28 May 2016. In the morning the ladies went to Sedgefield to visit the various morning markets and a furniture factory’s showroom. Everyone was in awe of the beautiful furniture, all made of wood, but what took their breaths way was the BIG prices that you had to pay.

On the way back we went for a drive through Buffelsbaai. Beautiful places with fantastic beaches. Then it was back to the hotel to pick-up of some more people and then on to the River Club for a light lunch.

When it was time to leave, some of the people decided that the long steep walk up the hill was not for them and said that funicular was just the thing to use.

On the 4th trip Arrie de Klerk, Val Nell, Sandra Smith, Fanie Badenhorst, Jerry Coetzee and I were together in the funicular cage. As usual, with a couple of people we started sharing stories and memories.

The “WHAT IF” question was asked. The “WHAT IF” happened a couple of minutes later. The funicular stopped! It just died on us. We were stuck in the middle. We were starting to wonder if they had any idea of how to get us up the incline.

Dirk Ackerman receives his OSAAFA Gold

Wing Commander Nigel Cookson receives his OSAAFA Gold

The way up

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One of the workers came down to the funicular cage and got in, switched the motor on and off and on again and discovered there was no power. He switched it off and got out to go

and check the fuse box at the top. We were all worried when he got out as it was very high. After a while he called down and informed us that help was on the way, but it would only arrive in about 30 minutes.

Now some of us don’t like heights and some are claustrophobic. The door was opened to let fresh air in. With the “panic” rising, we became hot and bothered. We started talking about various topics to lighten the situation. Eventually help arrived. The worker was back with us and gave us the key to switch the motor on again, and up it went, then stopped again!

We still could not move upwards so he came back. It was decided that we might be overloaded. Fanie said he would get out. Boy oh Boy! It was high up off the ground and very steep terrain. With the assistance of the other two men he was lowered down to the rail. Fanie will be known as “Funicular Fanie” from now on. Thank you Fanie for volunteering to get out.

They said we must go downwards, stop and go up again to make it! Lucky we were on our way up once more and everyone was relieved to touch firm ground again.

I can assure the readers that this was one of the scariest moments in my life. I don’t like heights or small spaces

but with all the talking it took my mind off what was going on. A big thank you to all who were up there with me. I think I would have cried if I’d been alone.

I am looking forward to 2017 Congress and to new adventures.

ALBIE GÖTZE

In the beginning of the year The South African Legion UK branch Chairman, Peter Dickens received a call from Tinus Le Roux, requesting a subsidy for a motorised chair for Albie Götze. Through the SA Legion offices in South Africa they were able to request the funds from The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund via the Royal Commonwealth Ex Services League (RCEL).

The way down

Fanie, Arrie and Val Sandra, Ansie and Jerry

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Happily, the SA Legion secured the subsidy and Albie is now the proud owner of a sparkling red motorised chair. Lgr Peter Dickens took some time out of his trip to South Africa and pay him a visit at his home in Hermanus.

So who is Albie Götze and why the fuss?

Simply put Albie is one of three surviving South African D Day veterans, he's also the only surviving South African Operation Market Garden1 veteran, one of two surviving South African veterans who took part in the Berlin Air Lift and a veteran of the Korean War. Simply put he is a national treasure.

He is currently writing his memoirs, living in Hermanus and very welcoming to all who want to meet him. Peter took Albie out for a well-earned beer and a cheers to a remarkable life.

Albert Richard Götze joined the South African Air Force in mid-1942 and was selected for fighter pilot training. After he finished flying training he was sent to the Middle East where he joined up with RAF No. 127 Spitfire squadron in April 1944. 127 Squadron moved to England and from there they operated as a UK defence unit.

They flew patrols and bomber escorts to mainland Europe but also did some fighter-bomber work. During this time Albie was involved with shooting down German V-1 flying bombs and

also did cover flying on D-day.

In August 1944 Albie was transferred to RAF No.137 squadron flying Hawker Typhoon ground attack aircraft. He participated in the Market Garden- and the Rhine crossing operations. 137 Squadron always operated at low altitude ("on the deck") and was mainly employed in attacking targets such as armour, anti-aircraft installations, specific buildings, transports and enemy personnel.

Flying in the Typhoon squadron was dangerous and high risk. The losses were extreme and hence replacement pilots were usually filled with volunteers. Albie's aircraft was hit on occasions and he made a few crash landings with damage to

1 A bridge too Far. Cornelius Ryan. Operation Market Garden refers to Montgomery’s audacious but tragically disastrous attempt to take Berlin via a northward route, through Holland. “Market” referred to the airborne invasion and “Garden” to the landward invasion. The two were supposed to be synchronised but weather and other factors lead to failure. The famous airborne attack on the bridge at Arnhem took place during Operation Market Garden. Allied Forces suffered more casualties in Market Garden than in the mammoth invasion of Normandy. During the 24 hour period of D-Day June 6th, 1944 total Allied losses were estimated at 10,000 – 12,000. In Market Garden losses amounted to more than 17,000.

Albie Götze was presented the General Service Medal 1918 by Wing Commander Nigel Cookson!

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the aircraft.

After the war Albie participated as a navigator in the Berlin Airlift of 1949 where they flew around the clock supply flights from West Germany. In 1951 Albie completed a combat tour with SAAF No. 2 squadron to Korea as part of a US Air Force formation where he flew P-51 Mustangs.

Albie had a long and successful career in the SAAF and ended with the rank of Brigadier General. He was responsible for the introduction and implementation of the South African Air Defence System with the underground head station at Devon. He was also responsible for the system to be fully computerised.

Albie was also the personal secretary of the State President of South Africa for 4 years - President Diederichs.

Albie also participated in the Border War with radar installations. He thus served in the 4 major events of the SAAF in the last century: WW2, Berlin airlift, Korea and the South West Africa/Angola Border War - now that is a unique and great achievement.

He retired from the Air Force in 1978.2

On Tuesday 15th March 2016 SAAFA Member, Brigadier General (Retired) Albie Götze, was

presented the General Service Medal 19183 by Wing Commander Nigel Cookson, Deputy Military Advisor to the British High Commissioner. The presentation took place at the Officers Mess at AFB Ysterplaat.

TAIL PIECE

Grandpa, what is couple sex?

All you Grandpas and Grandmas, make sure that you understand the question first....

We are all reaching that stage where we need to keep the wax out of our ears and keep the hearing aids tuned up.

An 8-year-old girl went to her grandfather, who was working in the yard and asked him: "Grandpa, what is a couple sex?

The grandfather was surprised that she would ask such a question, but decided that if she's old enough to know to ask the question then she's old enough to get a straight answer. Steeling himself to leave nothing out, he proceeded to tell her all about human reproduction and the joys and responsibilities that go along with it.

When he finished explaining, the little girl was looking at him with her mouth hanging open, eyes wide in amazement. Seeing the look on her face the grandfather asked her, "Why did you ask this question, honey?

The little girl replied: "Well, Grandma says to tell you that dinner will be ready in just a couple secs.

Please send any contributions to the Editor:

Crow Stannard: crowbar@lantic.net

2 Pictures and references courtesy Tinus Le Roux. 3 The General Service Medal (1918 GSM) was instituted to recognise service in minor Army and Air Force operations for which no separate medal was intended. It was equivalent to the 1915 Naval General Service Medal. Both these medals were replaced by the General Service Medal in 1962.