34 Squadron SAAF

34 Squadron SAAF
Consolidated Vultee B-24 Liberator similar to that flown by 34 Squadron SAAF
Active	14 April 1944 – 15 December 1945
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Air Force
Role	Heavy Bomber Squadron
Motto(s)	"Initasela Zasebusiuku" (We Strike by Night)
Equipment	Consolidated Vultee B-24 Liberator
Insignia
34 Squadron Badge

34 Squadron was a heavy bomber squadron of the South African Air Force during World War II. It was formed in Egypt on 14 April 1944 and operated from Egypt and Italy until the end of the war. It was equipped with Consolidated Vultee B-24 Liberator IVs.^[1]

In July 1944, the squadron moved from Egypt to Italy and formed part of No. 2 Wing (SAAF) along with 31 Squadron SAAF. The squadron's first operation was on the 21st; in addition, it operated in northern Italy, the Balkans, Austria and Southern France, as well as mine-laying operations along the Danube. The squadron was also involved in re-supply air drops to partisans in Yugoslavia (Operation Flotsam) as well as air supply drops to the defenders in the Warsaw uprising of August–September 1944.^[1]

The squadron returned to Egypt in September and was converted to a transport unit, flying supplies and passengers to and from northern Italy, Austria, Egypt and South Africa. It was disbanded on 15 December 1945.^[1]

Sankt Valentin

Warsaw

Ploiești

Thessaloniki

Zagreb

Karlovac

Sarajevo

Southern France

Szombathely

Foggia

Selected bombing targets engaged by 34 Squadron during WW2 (Red), Air supply drops (Black) and main operating base (Green)^[2]

Notes and References

Footnotes

Citations

1 2 3 Rickard, J. "No. 34 Squadron (SAAF): Second World War". History of War. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
↑ "History of 34 Squadron SAAF". 34 Squadron Logbooks. Retrieved 15 September 2011.

External Links

34 Squadron SAAF on Facebook

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

List of training areas of the South African Air Force	Roodewaal Bombing Range Ditholo Training Area TAB Upington Vastrap Weapons Area

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

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