26 South Africa Squadron Royal Flying Corps

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26 Sqd Badge 2.JPG

At the conclusion of the German South West Africa campaign, the Department of Defence of the Union of South Africa offered the entire South African Aviation Corps to the Imperial Government.

At this point in time, the SAAC consisted of 152 personnel. They were ordered back to South Africa and moved to Cape Town. The unit eventually departed on 31 July 1915 and it was decided in London to form a South African squadron.

A second contingent then left for England from South Africa on 19 September 1915.

A RFC squadron then consisted of 28 officers, 20 Non Commissioned Officers and 161 men.

The squadron was officially established on 8 October 1915. Officially formed at Nethravon, the squadron left for East Africa in December 1915 and arrived in Mombasa on 31 January 1916.

At the end of their tasks in the East African campaigns, the Squadron returned to Cape Town where they were sent to England for disbandment. This took place on 8 July 1918 at Blandford in England.

The East African campaign had taken its toll in tropical sicknesses but suprisingly only two pilots were killed in flying accidents.