3 Squadron SAAF

3 Squadron
Mirage F1CZs in formation
Active	1939 to 1992
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Air Force
Role	Fighter Sqn
Garrison/HQ	AFB Waterkloof
Motto	Semper Pugnans (Always Fighting)^[1]
Insignia
Squadron Identification Code	CA (1939–1945)^[2] (Squadron OC: Maj C.A. Golding flew with personal identification code CAG in 1944-1945^[3])
Squadron Crest

3 Squadron SAAF was a squadron of the South African Air Force. It was formed in January 1939 at Air Force Base Waterkloof and was equipped with Hawker Hartbees I and Hurricane Mk II aircraft. The squadron was moved to Port Elizabeth in September 1939 after which it was disbanded. It was again reformed at Waterkloof on 9 September 1940 equipped with Hurricane Mk 1s.

History

The squadron was involved in fighting in East Africa flying Hurricanes and Gladiator Mk IIs, In December 1942 the squadron was sent to the Middle East and flew fighter defence over the port of Aden with Hurricane 11c and Spitfire V aircraft, coastal patrols were also flown from North Africa. In August 1944, 3 Squadron was sent to Italy and was re-equipped with Spitfire IXs. The squadron was disbanded following the end of the Second World War.^[1]

Three Squadron was again reformed at Baragwanath Airport on 6 September 1952 as a part-time citizen force unit flying Harvards, but disbanded once again in 1957. In August 1966 the squadron was reformed at AFB Waterkloof as a unit under the control of 2 Squadron, equipped with Mirage IIIEZs.^[1]

In February 1970 the unit received squadron colours and in the same year, was supplied with Mirage IIIDZ's and Mirage F1CZ's in April 1975 when its Mirage IIIEZ, DZ and D2Z aircraft were transferred to 85 Advanced Flying School. The squadron continued to operate the Mirage F1CZ from Waterkloof AFB with frequent deployments to South-West Africa during the Namibian War of Independence. Three Squadron was disbanded when the Mirage F1CZs were retired on 30 September 1992.^[1]

World War II deployment

January – December 1941: Fighter squadron, East Africa^[4]
1942: South Africa^[4]
January 1943 – August 1944: Shipping patrols, North Africa^[4]
August 1944 – September 1945: Ground attack, Italy^[4]

Aircraft

Aircraft flown by 3 Squadron
Note: Aircraft type photographs may not necessarily represent aircraft of the same mark or actual aircraft belonging to the Squadron.

Hawker Hartbees or Hartebeeste I
1939

Gloster Gladiator Mk II
1939

Hawker Hurricane Mk I
1941

Curtis P-40 Kittyhawk
1941

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC
1943–44

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX
1944–45

North American T-6 Harvard
1952–1957

Mirage III
1966–1975

Mirage F1CZ
1975–1992

References

1 2 3 4 "South African Air Force website". 3 Squadron.
↑ Martin, H.J. Lt-Gen; Orpen, N.D. (1978). Eagles Victorious: South African Forces World War II. Cape Town: Purnell. p. 335. ISBN 0-86843-008-0.
↑ Flintham, Vic (2003). Combat Codes. Barnesly: Pen & Sword Aviation. p. 229. ISBN 978-1-84415-691-7.
1 2 3 4 "History of War". No. 3 Squadron (SAAF): Second World War. Retrieved 10 September 2011.

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

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