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RAF Wings: Royal Rhodesian Air Force and RAF Glider Regiment. Photograph
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About This Work
Above : Pilot Wings, Royal Rhodesian Air Force
On 19 September 1939, two weeks after the United Kingdom declared war against Germany, the Air Unit officially became the “Southern Rhodesia Air Force” (SRAF).
The SRAF was then absorbed into the British Royal Air Force (RAF) proper in April 1940 and redesignated No. 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF. British No. 44 Squadron RAF and No. 266 Squadron RAF were also assigned the name “Rhodesia” because of the large number of Rhodesian airmen and crew in these units. Rhodesians fought in many of the theatres of WW2.
Below: Pilot Wings, Royal Air Force Glider Regiment
The Glider Pilot Regiment was a British Army airborne unit during WW2 responsible for crewing military cargo gliders, rather than being a distinct Royal Air Force regiment. [1, 2]
Origins and Organization
Army Control: Formed on February 24, 1942, the unit belonged to the Army Air Corps alongside the Parachute Regiment and the Special Air Service.
RAF Connection: While the pilots were army soldiers or NCOs, a significant number of Royal Air Force personnel were also attached and volunteered or worked alongside the regiment to pilot and support glider operations.
"Total Soldiers": Volunteers underwent rigorous infantry and flight training so they could pilot engineless aircraft like the Airspeed Horsa and immediately fight alongside the troops they delivered.
Key Operations
Major Campaigns: The regiment took part in crucial assaults including Operation Ladbroke (Sicily), Operation Deadstick (Pegasus Bridge), Operation Market Garden, and Operation Varsity.
Disbandment: Following post-war service in conflicts like Malaya and Korea, the unit was disbanded in 1957