South African WWII unit information requested

[Hendrik]

Hello All,

I've acquired a small set of medals awarded to a South African gentleman for his services during WWII. With the medals came copies of some paperwork in which two units/postings were mentioned :

- a/m A.F.S. Gordon's Bay

and

No. 7 Motor Boat Sec.

Any information on those would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Hendrik

[Arthur R]

Hendrik,

A/M was 'Air Mechanic', the lowest rank in the SAAF.

AFS was 'Air Force Station'.  The SA Air Force had a station at Gordon's Bay, a village on the False Bay coast about 30 miles from Cape Town. 

7 Motor Boat Section was one of several units which the SAAF maintained for rescuing aircrew from aircraft that crashed in the sea.  I'm not sure if it was based at Gordon's Bay or at one of the other coastal towns. 

 

Edited November 11, 2017 by Arthur R

[Hendrik]

Many thanks Arthur for the perfect answer to my question !

Regards,

Hendrik

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here you go.....

 

http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/viewFile/763/767

[Hendrik]

Thanks Chris ! Great stuff. As the medal recipient was a diesel mechanic, the article's praise of the boats' maintenance directly concerns him.

Regards,

Hendrik

[Brett Hendey]

Here is another relevant publication.

http://www.freeworldpublications.co.za/SERVE TO SAVE The South African Air Force at Sea.htm

Brett

[Hendrik]

Indeed it is - Thank you, Brett.