41 Squadron SAAF

41 Squadron is a light transport squadron of the South African Air Force. It was formed in 1940, it is currently based at AFB Waterkloof.

History

World War II

thumb|left|Burning Hartbeest 801 of 41 Sqn SAAF Jijigga East Africa 1941 after attack by Italian aircraft41 Squadron was formed at AFS Waterkloof on 16 October 1940 as an army co-operation squadron equipped with the Hawker Hartbees aircraft, serving in East Africa. On 1 September 1941 the squadron received a number of Curtiss Mohawks and these were grouped into "41 Squadron Fighter Detachment" – this detachment was later transferred to 3 Squadron. The squadron remained behind in Abyssinia in 1942 when the rest of the South African forces moved into the Western Desert, with some Hurricanes being taken on strength in mid-1942.