As Per Scans.WW I WAR MEDAL FOR AIR MECHANIC IN SAAC SOUTH AFRICAN AVIATION CORPS & WW II AFRICA MEDALS
WW I War Medal is Named to a H Westerman . The WW II Africa Medal is Named to H Westermann
BOTH ARE FULL SIZE MEDALS WITH NO SUSPENDERS
PLEASE READ INFO BELOW
At the outbreak of the war, Mr. DH Cutler owned a Curtiss seaplane and had the unique distinction of being the world's only one man Coastal Command. He and his aircraft were commandeered by the British Admiralty to reconnoiter the South African Coastline. The aircraft was transported by man-of-war to East Africa where he spotted the German Cruiser 'Koenigberg'. As a result it was sunk and the Defence authorities became conspicuous of the potential striking power an active Aviation Corps would have in South West Africa.
In November 1914, the Union decided the Aviation Corps was necessary to conduct a campaign against German South West Africa and a new squadron was formed including the six graduates from the Royal Flying School who were recalled from Europe. The South African Aviation Corps (SAAC) was formed 5 February 1915 and on 6 May 1915 the Corps commenced operations, mainly reconnaissance, in that area. General Botha, who had previously depended on mounted men for reconnaissance, declared 'Now I can see for hundreds of miles'. The aircraft were also used on bombing raids and the South Africans were able to out manoeuver the Germans, leading to their surrender three months later after the South African Aviation Corps entered the campaign. The Corps was awarded the South West African battle honour, a unique award as battle honours are normally only awarded to units.
The South African Aviation Corps ceased to function as a separate unit from the end of the South West African campaign in October 1915, yet it was only officially disbanded in 1921. Members of the Corps were incorporated into 26 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The Squadron saw service in East Africa in support of South African forces under General Jan Smuts. The main task of the squadron was reconnaissance. The bush was so thick it gave the enemy complete protection from aerial reconnaissance and bomb action that all they really could do was to report on the whereabouts of towns, railways, roads and rivers. The squadron was disbanded in July 1918, before the end of the First World War.
NO FOREIGNN BIDDERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES !
SHIPPING WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA ONLY !
SOLD AS IS
