
THE AIRFORCE - BETWEEN THE WARS

The Air Force operated in South West Africa on three occasions: in 1922 against the Bondezwarts Hottentots, in 1925 during the Rehoboth rebellion and in 1939 in Ovamboland when a chief refused to surrender alleged murderers to the police. There were no casualties during these operations.
Apart from these operational tasks, the Air Force played a major role in the development of South Africa. Among the tasks were aerial photography, transporting diamonds from Oranjemund to Cape Town, spraying eucalyptus plantations and for a short period in 1925, an air mail service between Cape Town and Durban. A Central Flying School was established at Zwartkoops in 1925.
The depression was to take its toll on the Air Force. So severe was the rationalisation during 1929 that Sir Pierre van Ryneveld was in charge of the Air Force, officer commanding of the troops in Roberts Heights (Voortrekkerhoogte) and commandant of the Military College. On 30 April 1933 Sir Pierre van Ryneveld became Chief of General Staff as a Brigadier General when the post of Director of Air Services was abolished, but retained command of the Air Force.
The depression, however, did not stop the Air Force from acquiring new aircraft. The first locally produced aircraft for the Air Force was the Westland Wapiti, with the first licence built example of 27 built flew on 4 April 1931. This was followed by 65 Hawker Hartbees and 52 Avro Tutors, all built locally from imported materials.
In 1936 the Union Government approved the Air Force development programme which made provision for the expansion of the Air Force by training 100 pilots, establishing a photographic survey squadron, five service squadrons and the organisation of SA Airways into two bomber groups, one medium and one heavy. and for the establishment of a reserve.
Waterkloof Air Station was constructed and opened on 1 August 1938, with 1, 2 and later 3 Squadrons in residence. Outstations were established at Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Durban. Flying schools were established and pilot training was undertaken on SE 5's and DH 9's.